"I can't believe I am going away for 5 months. I'll be completely out of my comfort zone which is a big deal for me. But when it is all over I know I will be so proud of myself and have incredible stories to tell. As I sit on the plane, waiting for my flight to leave the gate my emotions are scared, nervous, and excited."- That was me just about 4 months ago.
Now, this is my last full week left here in Cardiff. I was right about that, I was out of my comfort zone and I had to make adjustments, I am proud of myself for sticking it through, and I do have some incredible stories that I will never forget and will tell people the rest of my life. It's hard to believe. Next Sunday, at this time, if I'm not already there, I will probably be on a bus headed to London to spend my last couple of days in the UK there. It's so hard to believe that my time here is almost done. It feels like just yesterday when I just arrived and thinking to myself how I probably just made this huge mistake and I wouldn't be able to get through it. Well, since I only have a week left, I think it's safe to say that I made it through. There were definitely lots of bumps along the road and feelings of homesickness but this semester has been tons of fun and something I will always remember. I feel like I have grown so much since I've been here and learned so much about myself as well.
Here is a list I made of things I wanted to accomplish while I was here.
1. Travel to as many countries as I can.
2. Meet new friends.
3. Experience the culture the best way possible.
4. Become more outgoing.
5. Don't be afraid to try new things
6. Don't hold back.
7. Do well in my studies.
8. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE.
Okay, some of those were similar so I just cut it to 8 even though there were 10 but I'd like to think I accomplished those in some way. I traveled to 8 countries since I've been here; Wales, England, Ireland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. I've met a lot of great friends and people. I've definitely experienced the culture. I believe I've become more outgoing, tried new things, I tried not to hold back, I did the best I could in my studies and I had tons of fun. Now, I'm going to lie if I said I enjoyed every minute because there were a couple of times I just wanted to be home but the majority of the time I enjoyed it.
Cardiff is such a great city and I recommend it to anyone traveling to the UK. It's tiny so you don't need much time here but Wales is also a beautiful country. More people should travel here.
10 Things I will Miss About Cardiff:
1. My friends
2. Living in a city with a Castle
3. The seagulls outside of my window
4. The English and Welsh accents
5. How everyone is friendly
6. My flat
7. Cider
8. Chips, not fries. (That will probably stick for a while.)
9. Uni Hall Bar (And the fact there is a nightclub and bars on campus)
10. Sheep
Things I will not miss:
1. The crappy rainy weather.
2. The horrible exchange rate.
3. Sleeping with just a flannel sheet.
Things I am Looking Forward to at home:
1. Seeing my family and friends.
2. BBQs
3. Not having to worry about an exchange rate.
4. Sleeping in my own bed without just a flannel sheet.
5. Going back to New Paltz.
6. American faucets.
7. American food.
Cardiff has become my home but I am also so excited to be going back to America!!!! Now, it's time to get ready and pick Kim up at the airport, study and take my last final on Tuesday and enjoy my last week here in Cardiff and London with her.
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