A Pre-Departure Reflection

It is a 5 month academic, traveling getaway. There are people and things I will miss sorely and cannot wait to get back to. I am so happy and fortunate to have something that makes goodbyes so hard. 

On the other hand, I am nervous and apprehensive. I am scared and a little reluctant. Yet, I am steadfast and expectant, prepared and willing. It is a long time coming. I am eager to spend these 5 months with myself. There is a lot of character to develop and rebuild within me, and I am desperately in need of placing a sense of faith in capability and self-reliance into my hands. It’s happening, and then it’s going to be over. And I will step off my arriving Newark International flight back into the States as someone entirely my own. You’ll hear mixed responses about studying abroad – how it transforms people, or how some didn’t feel it one bit. It isn’t about suddenly not recognizing the face in the mirror. 

It will show in the way you tilt your chin and the confidence of your gait.  You will learn a way of life beyond a New York-metro bustle. You will live a life out of a backpack and a suitcase, on budget, and appreciate moderation and indulgence – only when it’s appropriate. 

I will return home in the blistered July heat of New Jersey not unlike myself.  I’d like to think I could revisit my sense of self-assurance and trust. 

Must-Haves for a Semester Abroad

01. APPLE MacBook Pro

Self-explanatory.  Travel, socialize, drink all the beer and wine you desire, but it is a semester abroad at a university.  We all have to do classwork at some point! It would be nice to backup photos you accumulate on your phone and camera as well, or perhaps to update a blog such as this one.

02. URBAN OUTFITTERS Leather Jacket

Hooded faux leather jackets are a staple of my wardrobe.  It offers some stylish edge to your look, even if what you are wearing is otherwise underwhelming or sloppy.  I purchased my past two at UO, both reasonably priced (under $100) and vegan.  They are perfect for the fall, winter, and spring – make sure to size it so you have room for light layering!

03. APPLE iPhone & Sturdy Case

Apple, Android – whatever.  Bring your smart phone, even if you may not have service coverage! There are plenty of areas that will have Wi-Fi, and the iPhone 6s Plus in particular is a wonderful substitution for a camera on the go.  Utilize apps such as Skype and WhatsApp for keeping in touch with family and friends.  However, invest in a sturdy case such as a Lifeproof (pictured) or Otterbox Commuter case.  With frequent travel and abundant adventuring, you do not want to be left with a smashed screen, especially when Apple stores are not as common as they are in the States.

04. FUJIFILM instax Mini 8

Remember those sweet Kodiak Polaroid cameras when we were kids?  Well, they are back in a much less clunky (though still sort of bulky) version.  If you want instant prints with a retro feel, pick one of these up.  The film refills can be a little pricey, but they are a quirky way to preserve a memory.

05  Cross Body Bag

All right, I have very little interest in designer brands, which is why I chose this no-name bag.  The cross body bag I am bringing along was on sale for $20 from Nasty Gal, and it is of very similar bucket style.  The cross body style is an easy, comfortable way to keep your belongings close and in sight.  My favorite feature of this particular bag is the zipper and flap for extra privacy from greedy hands!

06. FJÄLLRÄVEN Backpack no. 2

Supposedly composed of G-1000, the most durable fabric in the world, these backpacks are super adorable and high quality.  It is a small book bag, perfect for weekend trips and class commutes.  You may wear it on your back, or if you are in a super crowded area and want to keep tabs on your pack, the handles up top allow you to hold it like a tote! There is also a slip for your laptop, and it also fits the stricter personal bag requirement for many international flights.  I also liked the idea of having a European brand bag – perhaps it will make me fit in more, at least on the surface.  (Please note, vegan/cruelty-free friends, that this bag features actual leather detailing, so this is not a veg-friendly product!)

07. DR. MARTENS Boots

Dr. Martens, or any leather ankle booties, are all-season staples.    Docs are perfect in the rain, snow, coordinate well with high waisted shorts, skirts, and trendy dresses.  Ankle booties do this just as well, minus extreme inclement weather.

08. OLLOCLIP iPhone Lens System

There are tons of cheap dupes, which I would recommend over the $90 Olloclip version in case they get lost or break.  I received a ‘knockoff’ version of these lenses for Christmas.  There is a macro, wide angle, and fish eye lens.  It clips onto your phone, even with a case on, and offers a super cool effect to your otherwise boring camera view.

09. Portable Battery

GPS, texting, social media, music, photos… Imagine how many places you’ll need the vitality of your phone, and how devastating it would be if in between train stops or on your way to meet up with friends, your phone dies.  Portable chargers usually hold enough juice to charge your phone fully, at least once, and are rather affordable and portable. Slip it into a small purse or pants pocket!

10.  ZOYA Nail Polish

I cannot vouch for this, but I have heard that nail polish can be quite expensive overseas.  Bring a couple of your favorite bottles to save yourself the money.   Zoya is a vegan nail polish brand, free of suffering, so think to replace your old bottles of Essie with this!

wilkommen!

And so, the countdown begins…

Passport? Check!
Visa? Check!
Health Insurance? Check!
Airplane Reservation? Check!

With departure exactly a month from today – 1 month, 4 hours, and 15 minutes as I type this, to be exact – I am beginning to sober up about it all.   One month will turn into three weeks, then two, and then I will be scrambling to pack, say my goodbyes to friends and relatives.  I ought to be gushing about how thrilled I am; how I cannot wait to meet my flatmates; to speak German; to climb up to Graz’s iconic clock tower or hop on their cute trams.  Yet, while I feel all of those emotions, I am absolutely anxious and apprehensive.  It’s nerve-wracking and unfathomable, scary and unsure, but I never back down from a challenge.

As die Deutschen Völker may say, “Aus nichts wird nichts!”