Let the OFFICIAL countdown begin!

It is August 18th 2013. And I am freaking out. Why?
Folks, I am leaving for SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA in 15 days. 15 DAYS!! Where has the time gone? I feel as if just a few days ago I was panicking about my application to International Studies Abroad (ISA).

There are so many emotions I am experiencing. First of all, excitement, I am over the moon about getting to meet my host family! I checked out my student portal this morning. All of the important information about my host family is provided...including pictures of their home. Talk about cute! I can just feel that living there will be great from the start! My family has 5 members, all around my age and all girls. One even has the same name as I do! Yup...this is the family for me :) Oh and did I mention they have a dog? They have a dog...how perfect!
On top of being excited though, I am nervous. Never before have I been outside of the U.S. much less to a country where the native language is not English! But then other people remind me the best way to learn is to be completely immersed. Well, hopefully they are correct! I remind myself daily that I want to do this to push my limits and expand my horizons. Yeah...done and done! My mind is swimming with thoughts: What is it like going through customs? How will I know where to go? What if I don't know how to say what I need to say? How will I communicate with people right away? Will I make friends?
I probably need to stop over thinking this, but I'm a worrier. Also, this will be my first time flying alone...and I'm going out of the Country? Good thing I try not to let fear get the best of me..or I might be re-thinking this trip ;) Even though I am nervous, my excitement overwhelms me and I calm down. But if anyone has any advice...or wants to accompany me :)..I am always open for it!
Another emotion that is mixed in with excitement and nervousness? Sadness. Not at all because of where I am going, but in things I will miss at home. I play volleyball for Bethany Lutheran College and will be missing the start of a new program this year. We have a new coach, John Olmanson (who is awesome!), and I feel the program will start it's upward turn this year. To be missing that is heartbreaking. But I wish my fellow teammates the best with their season! All I ask for is the big W over MLC! Missing the first part of the season for basketball is also hard...but not as tough because I'll be back for conference play. Good luck in pre-conference ladies (and gentlemen-for the boys team)! being sad about missing sports is not all...I will miss my friends, family, and school. SO MUCH! They keep my life in balance and it is already so odd for them to be starting their fall routines again. I'm over here, just preparing for the next 4 months and whatnot. Don't miss me too much people!

While there are about a billion other emotions storming, the biggest? Feeling completely BLESSED.
I get to finally have an adventure of a lifetime, completely unique to me. And what's better? This is something I decided to go out and do with no one else telling me to. Going abroad is about me and improving myself. Learning about myself and living life to the fullest extent. How blessed am I (and the other people going) to have this opportunity? Have to give my praises to the man upstairs for this one! Without Him, none of this would be possible.
I realized how blessed I am to have emotions like excitement, nervousness, and sadness. It means I have something to look forward to, I truly care about this experience, and I have people here who love and support me-who are a huge part of my life, to miss! Wow. What an eye-opening realization.

15 days? I am more than ready. Let's do this! Now I just have to figure out what to pack...

Olive Juice Amor, xo :)

Allie

P.S.
      Thinking about studying abroad or just want more information? Visit http://www.studiesabroad.com for more information about ISA, the program I used to study abroad. They are very helpful and friendly, every single step of the way!
      Want to check out Bethany Lutheran College Athletics? Visit http://www.blc.edu/athletics to follow my volleyball and basketball teams with their seasons! Some of our games are available to stream online!