On the eve of adventure...

Hello! I created this blog as a means of chronicling my adventures as I spend my junior year abroad at the University of Edinburgh, where I will be studying English Literature.

As I write this, I have less than 24 hours until I leave for Scotland. I fly from LAX to Heathrow (a 10 hour flight, during which I'm counting on Ambien to knock me out) and then from there to Edinburgh. To say I'm excited is an understatement. But I'm also a bit nervous! I have no idea what to expect. I've never been to the UK before, and the longest I've been to Europe is about a week or two. I'm also nervous because I've had such an amazing two years at Tulane so far. I'm leaving behind friends that I will miss terribly, and in the anticipation of my departure I can't help but hope that the gamble I'm taking in going for the whole year will pay off. Speaking of which, every time I tell people I'll be spending an entire academic year abroad, I invariably get the same question; "But...why?" So here, in a nutshell, are the reasons:

1) Tulane actually only approves the UK study abroad programs for spring and full year because the fall semesters at UK universities are so much shorter. My classes don't start until September 21, a full month after Tulane's classes start. To go just for a fall semester in the UK wouldn't really afford you the full experience, and if I went just for a spring semester it would likely be harder to make friends there since I would be coming in halfway through their school year.

2) Many of Edinburgh's classes-- including 2 of the 3 I'm taking (3 classes constitutes a full course load there)-- are year-long. They are slowly becoming more semesterized, but only because the government told them to, and thus I've heard Edinburgh is dragging their feet a bit

3) By staying for the spring semester, I get to enjoy the month-long spring break Edinburgh students get, when I'll be able to travel around Europe!

So there you go! I certainly hope my decision to go for the year pays off. For one thing, I hope I get along well with my flatmates! I got my first choice of flat (New Arthur Place!) which I am thrilled about; it was my understanding based on various student message boards that no one ever gets their first choice. Anyway, I will be living with four other girls. I move in directly on Saturday and I can't wait to meet them. I hope we can decorate our flat and make it look "home-y". I also hope at least one of my flatmates is a master in the kitchen! I wish I could say I am, but alas...

Anyway, I suppose that's all for now. I have quite of bit of packing to do, which I will probably be up all night doing! Hopefully that will help me sleep on the plane...