In less than 24 hours I will be on a plane over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Prague, and it still feels like I’m in a dream and that I’ll actually wake up tomorrow and be back at New Paltz. I can’t believe how lucky I am to get to experience a semester in the Czech Republic and I’m hoping to make the most of it. Most of my last day in the US was spent packing because I’m such a procrastinator but once I got started it wasn’t too difficult. However, I must say, the fact that my checked bag is under 50 lbs is probably a Christmas miracle. Along with that bag I’m bringing 1 carry on and 1 backpack with me to last 4 months. I tried to pack as logically as possible but there were some things I just couldn’t not bring. As excited as I am, I’m definitely nervous too. This is the farthest I’ve gone & the longest I’ve ever been gone for but I know it will be okay. I had a job in Colorado this summer on a ranch and when I boarded that plane I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just went with the flow of things and it turned out to be the most amazing summer of my life so if I can keep the same attitude in Prague I know it’s going to be as great as I’ve always dreamed it would be. Wish me luck!

-Paige