Oh man. How do I sum up my trip to Europe? I’ve tried over and over again to summarize it, process the experience and turn it into words. So here is what I got for you:
Before leaving New York I wasn’t excited. I feel like a brat admitting it, Boo-hoo Kayla get to go to Europe for two weeks. But my fear felt stronger than my excitement.
I was traveling to Europe for two weeks with practical strangers. A trip that involved 5 flights total. Roommates. And a lot of undergrads far more interested in drinking than me.
I didn’t go abroad when I was an undergrad. I applied to study in Tel Aviv but decided not to go. After hearing about my friends experiences partying their way through their semesters in Europe I knew I couldn’t handle it. I have a phobia of vomit and drinking has always been a tricky thing for me to navigate. I’ve come a long way since the intense height of my phobia in high school, but it’s still something I live with every single day.
I was also fearful I wouldn’t connect with anyone on this trip. I’m not anti-social by any means, but I also don’t thrive in big group settings.
Everything ended up being fine. More than fine. I had an incredible time exploring Copenhagen and Stockholm. It wasn’t the wild trip abroad I feared and I assured my parents (and Jeremy) I wasn’t being anti-social.
My experience in grad school has been so-so, but this opportunity to travel, explore and connect with my school was the highlight of the last two years.
Fear has dictated much of my life. It has told me what I can and cannot do. But I’m glad this time I pushed through the fear. The discomfort. The unknown.
Copenhagen and Stockholm, I hope to see you again sooner than later.
i just recently learned to start saying yes to things that make me semi-uncomfortable either mentally and/or financially and i have to tell ya, it’s made the past couple of years so memorable in the best way possible. i’m so glad you had such a great trip – travel always teaches us things we wouldn’t have learned otherwise!! <3