Let the Countdown Begin!

On somewhat of a whim, last December I applied to a study abroad program that will travel to Scotland and Ireland during the summer of 2013. I honestly had no expectations of being accepted, so it came as quite a shock when the BYU Kennedy Center emailed me just a few days later, notifying me of my acceptance. Since then I have spent hours listening to Mumford and Sons, surfing Google images for pictures of Irish castles, and seriously debating whether or not I will eat haggis and blood sausage should the opportunity arise.
With only 23 days left until I leave, it still doesn't feel real to me that I'm actually going. The furthest out of the country I've ever been was the Canada side of Niagara Falls- hardly a foreign experience. Because of this, I have no reference as to what being in a foreign country will be like. Until I've been in Europe for a day or two, I don't think it will hit me that I'm actually going to be seeing all of the places I've dreamed of visiting for years. I still can't believe I'm really going!
I have some crazy adventures coming up this summer, that's for sure! My schedule is packed with day trips, weekend trips, schoolwork, and sightseeing. I know that once I get to Europe, everything will become a bit of a whirlwind, so I will hopefully be regularly updating this blog to help me remember everything I can about this adventure. I also have no idea what communication will be like, so I hope this blog will help my friends and family feel a little more connected with me while I'm gone.
I'm so grateful for the opportunities ahead of me! Let the countdown begin!!!!