In Her Time of Need...

I knew the morning of the first throw up, that my life would soon be altering.
At first she was in denial that I was leaving her, but then she began to see the bags and boxes moving upstairs and she knew then that something was amidst.
For the first few days she gave me the cold shoulder, barely talking to anyone, however, in secret every night she would express her concern to my father.
Days rolled by and more and more boxes were being brought upstairs.
Her behavior began to drastically change.
She began pouting about the house and sleeping more than usual.
Some nights she would sleep up close to me, others she would sleep elsewhere.
She began to eat less, and soon became a ghost to me.
I kept trying to comfort her, telling her everything will be okay, but she would just turn her back and not hear me out...
She confronted me as the day of my departure drew closer, yelling at me, asking me why I was leaving her in such a dire time of need....
And I told her that I was off on a journey that she could not accompany me on, but that I still loved her and that someday I would return a changed man.
Although adamant about me leaving, she told me that in order for me to leave I had to give her one last belly rub and so I did.
I loaded up the car and took one last look at the window in the house and there she was looking at me, trying to conceal herself behind the curtains as I slowly drove away, ready to embark on the next chapter of my college education....

Top 6 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. A New Found Identity

Studying abroad will give you an entirely new perspective on the world around you. Quickly, you will become very aware of the differences between your own home country and the country in which you are living in. In many ways, I'd compare the experience similar to that of freshman year of college, as you are finding yourself in new situations, you have not been before, all the while experiencing personal growth.

2. Learning Another Language

Believe it or not, even in Great Britain where the language is English, I found myself constantly looking up various phrases I had never heard of. None the less knowing another language can become very valuable.

3. An International Network of Connections

While abroad, you will meet a wide variety of people from different backgrounds, which will only prove to be invaluable in the road ahead.

4. Testing Your Limits

This may seem like an obvious one, however, there is a lot to be said about expanding ones horizons. For me, I traveled Italy all by myself during my spring break. Prior to being abroad, I would have never considered taking on such a daunting task, however, in doing so I only grew into a more ambitious individual.

5. Ability to Travel

Do not simply limit yourself to your base country. Go out into the world and get a new appreciation for what is around you, whether it is art, food, culture or anything in between!  

6. An Increased Awareness of the World Around You

This was particularly true for myself, as prior to my arrival abroad, I didn't see myself as a global citizen.

A Summer Day

Summer skies christening the morning are much like an intoxication of life; it is an addiction really.
An addiction fed by the given warmth, much like how a hot chocolate warms and soothes the soul on a cold day.
Flowers are in full blossom with busy bees tending to the flowers.
The smell of freshly cut grass fills the morning air.
The children are nearby playing in the sprinkler.
Dad is watching the children as he starts to fire up the grill for lunch.
Mom is neatly tending to her garden and the dog is barking at the mail man.
The birds are eating away at the bird feeder, as the squirrel sits nearby eagerly awaiting the right moment.
The cat sits in the window intently watching the birds.
The sky is clear and the day is warm; the humidity can be seen rising from the nearby pavement.
The aroma of freshly cooked hamburgers brings everyone in as they gather around the patio.
The kids quickly gobble up the burgers and go back out to swim in the pool.
Mom sits nearby on a lawn chair watching the kids, as Dad cleans the grill.
Nightfall soon comes and Dad gathers the kids to go star gazing in the field nearby.
They all lay in the field, watching and gazing upon the starry night as Dad points out the constellations that tickle the night sky.
Soon thereafter the kids roast marsh mellows in their back yard.
Mom and Dad tuck the kids into bed and say goodnight.
All is peaceful and all is quiet as Mom and Dad gaze out into the sky watching the moon as it glimmers throughout the night...