Lindsay's countdown to Cape Town Begins

When I first opened my acceptance e-mail I was sitting in a lecture, diligently taking notes and also anxiously refreshing my e-mail to see if any consensus had been reached on my application to go abroad next semester. And that’s when I saw my e-mail, bolded and underlined were the words you have been accepted. I literally squealed. I don't consider myself a particularly girly person, so I surprised myself with this noise, as well as my friend sitting next to me. I showed her the e-mail and she immediately understood the reasoning behind by sudden excitement after which she told me my first congratulations. That Tuesday was one of the most exciting days I have ever experienced. Upon reading this acceptance e-mail it seemed so surreal that come January I was actually going to be in Cape Town, South Africa. And I think that if I had to describe my initial reaction and thoughts to being a part of this trip in one word it would definitely be surreal. It's just so unbelievable that I will be experiencing all of these new things in just a few short months! 

Of course behind all of the excitement is the sad realization that it does mean going away for a few months. As a self-proclaimed homebody, I know that this will definitely pose some challenges for me. My mom was the first person I called as soon as I got out of class and of course her initial reaction was pure excitement and happiness for me, immediately followed by the sadness that comes from realizing she won't be seeing her 'little girl' for 3 and a half months. This reaction is also what I received after telling my dad and other family members. After telling family then came telling friends and there were more and more congratulations given, this time with less feeling of sadness and the pure excitement began to return. It's still hard to fathom that I will be going to Cape Town in such a short period of time, but I am absolutely ecstatic! Even though I have to leave the people I love for a few months, I know this experience will be one that will change and better me as a person and will be something I will never forget. And so the countdown begins!