To those of you out there who are generally unfazed by change, emotionally stoic and able to keep calm and have fun under circumstances that might stress the average person out, go away. This post is not for you. For the rest of you, who perhaps fall into a more type-A, high-strung category, keep reading, friend.
I am coming off of one of the strangest, most overwhelming, ridiculous weeks of my life. Once upon a time (about a week ago), I thought stepping out of my comfort zone meant trying new food. Over the course of seven days, I flew alone for the first time, got my first taste of Europe, stayed in my first hostel, met a whole host of people, experienced culture shock, and saw beautiful buildings, landmarks and mountains in Germany and Austria. And I had the time of my life, right? That’s what happens when you study abroad, right?
Actually, no. Not yet. I’ll say that again, because I really want to get this point across. No. This has not been the time of my life, and I’m no expert here, but I’m pretty sure that’s okay.
My first impressions of the Bavarian region of Germany, where my orientation field trip took place, and of the Salzburg area was that they were gorgeous, unique, and full of character. I loved what I did and saw, and I had many wonderful experiences. But my first impression was also of being out-of-sorts, homesick, and overwhelmed. I was jetlagged, weighed down by bags and a suitcase, and for the first few days sharing a hostel bedroom and bathroom with eight girls. It wasn’t easy, and while it was always incredible, it sometimes wasn’t very fun.
I have a lot of moments that stick out to me from my orientation. My visit to New Town Hall in Marionplatz, Munich, a massive gothic-style building that plays music every hour while little scenes of fake people move inside, was a standout moment. Hunting for time to shower around seven stranger’s schedules was another, but not in the same way. Perhaps the most memorable time for me this week was when my orientation group finally made its way to Salzburg, I moved into my dorm, and I started feeling a sense of belonging and permanence. This was a scary week for me. Going to a foreign country alone is scary, you guys. I’m still a little scared, to be honest. But every day, it’s getting better and better. Every day I’m feeling more confident that I can not only pull off three and a half months in Europe, but that can have the time of my life. And that’s why I don’t mind if it takes me a few days to get there. That’s part of stepping out of your comfort zone, and every time I look out my window and see the mountains and quant European homes outside, I feel happier that I did.
