{"id":9798,"date":"2016-08-30T07:30:10","date_gmt":"2016-08-30T12:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/?p=9798"},"modified":"2016-08-30T07:30:10","modified_gmt":"2016-08-30T12:30:10","slug":"itll-be-okay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/?p=9798","title":{"rendered":"It’ll Be Okay"},"content":{"rendered":"

I found myself repeating this phrase over and over in my head as I laid on my bed trying to fight back tears. Only forty-eight hours until\u00a0I would step on a plane and begin my 16-week adventure in Rome, Italy, and these words were my attempt to control my emotions. I don\u2019t know why I was crying\u2014I had just finished a highly amusing episode of Parks and Recreations<\/em>. But for whatever reason, just as Netflix was about to start the next episode, I began to cry.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong, I am beyond excited to study abroad. I have been since I submitted my deposit seven months ago. I spent hours sitting in my dorm planning trips and making lists, listening to Italian music, and counting down the days until I would finally<\/em> be in the Eternal City.\u00a0 But then came August 1, and I saw my departure day lingering in front of me\u2014then lodge itself in the pit of my stomach.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until I hit the 10-day countdown that the tears began to slip out. The I-will-be-gone-for-almost-four-months reality finally triggered my inevitable emotions. I spent more time crying then relishing in the excitement of this amazing experience waiting for me across the globe. It frustrated me, yet I couldn\u2019t figure out how to switch my perspective.<\/p>\n

But these words seemed to work, for now. I was finally able to hold back my tears and relax. It felt nice.<\/p>\n

The anticipation of studying abroad has its wide range of emotions. There\u2019s a high level of excitement as you pack your bags and look forward to the adventures ahead. There\u2019s also a lot of stress, nerves, and anxiety\u2014trying to fit your life into one suitcase, preparing for the culture shock, and saying good-byes. Mix all these feelings together, and sometimes the only way to make them all fit is to shed a few tears.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s okay to cry. It\u2019s okay to be nervous. To be sad. To worry. To miss your family, to miss your friends. It\u2019s okay to forget a few things at home, and it\u2019s okay to feel a little out of place in your new home. It\u2019s okay to adjust. It\u2019s okay to just be okay.<\/p>\n

Rome, I cannot wait to meet you. I\u2019m looking forward to all the pizza, gelato, and adventures you hold. I\u2019m nervous to speak your language and adjust to your culture. I\u2019m sure I will miss my family and feel a little homesick at times. But I know it will be okay. It will be more than okay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I found myself repeating this phrase over and over in my head as I laid on my bed trying to fight back tears. Only forty-eight hours until\u00a0I would step on a plane and begin my 16-week adventure in Rome, Italy, and these words were my attempt to control my emotions. I don\u2019t know why I … <\/p>\n

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