Are You Willing to Take a Risk?

My decision to study/travel abroad was not made easily. I’ve researched and thought about studying abroad ever since my two older sisters went to Italy in college. When the time came though for me to make the final decision of whether to go abroad it was hard. I knew I really wanted to go, but it seemed unrealistic and too challenging.

I’ve traveled extensively in the U.S., but know little about Europe’s accessibility standards. I contemplated and was overwhelmed by all the details of traveling abroad with a disability. There seemed to be too much to figure out and plan in order for it to be relatively smooth and successful. I’m a planner through and through so all the arrangements made my head spin. I don’t like surprises. There was so much to do that I didn’t know where to begin. Since a lot of my research contradicted each other, I did not know what information on the Internet about accessibility I should believe. Which sites are the most reliable? Were people telling the absolute truth? One thing I know for sure is you cannot rely on everything you read online!

Everything seemed like a huge risk. I had to decide which would be better: to take the risk and go abroad but not know exactly how it would all unfold…or to play it safe and not pursue my dream of traveling to Europe. Since I’m a control freak, not being able to predict how it would work out was terrifying. I have made myself consider though the alternative: If I did not take this risk I would never know how it would have gone. I would have missed out on a wonderful, once in a lifetime opportunity.

Needless to say, I have decided to take the risk. I have decided to travel to countries I have never been to. I am taking a leap of faith and pursuing something I have thought about for years. I’m planning and researching as best as I can, but I’m accepting that there will be some surprises and challenges I have not anticipated.

Some Facts on Strasbourg

I will be studying at Robert Schuman University in Strasbourg, France for a month this summer (May 31-June 28). I’m taking an International Business course and a European Politics course. The classes are taught in English, thankfully since I do not speak French. I’m hoping to pick up some French though while I’m there.

Strasbourg is on the border of France and Germany, and from what I’ve read it has both a German and French culture. However, French is the dominant language. I have found different population stats for the city, but the most common was around 500,000 people. Strasbourg is home to many European Union institutions, so it is suppossedly pretty accessible. I’m hoping it is, but I guess I will have to wait and see for myself!

I found the particular program I am participating in through my university. It is an alternative to the “study tours” most students go on. This year I am the only person going through my college. Most students at my school go on study tours to various places around the world. The “study tours” are approximately three weeks long and the semester before students go a class is required on the history, language, and culture of the location(s). Professors act as tour guides on the trips. Italy, Spain, Vietnam, and South Africa are a few of the options available for students to choose from. I opted to go to Strasbourg because the fast paced tours did not seem like a good option for me.

Travel Blog

This blog will be a way to record my experiences while I am in Europe this summer for six weeks. I am not sure who exactly will read this, but I'm doing this blog for myself and so that I will not forget all the memories and adventures! To those of you who find my blog through Mobility International: Welcome! I hope my writings will provide you with some insight on traveling in Europe. I hope it will also inspire you to pursue traveling/studying abroad as well.

Even as I write this I cannot believe that I will be in another country - continent - in less than three weeks! It is crazy, but I am siked to say the least. So for some basic info on my plans...I will be studying in Strasbourg, France for approx. a month and prior to my arrival in Strasbourg I am going on a Greek Isle Cruise and traveling in other parts of Europe as well.

This is my like thousandth time creating a blog, but I'm determined to stick to this one! I will add updates and more details about my plans in the next few days.