Maggie (Without) Borders: My Year in Germany

Fun fact: I've never flown internationally before. There's nothing like not really knowing what you're doing in a airport to make you feel like you are completely unprepared to spend a year by yourself. However, I am with 74 others, most of whom have flown internationally before, so that's comforting. My roommate-turned-friend, Paige, was helpful at keeping me sane going through security. Bless up for Paige. Walking to the terminal. No, that's not the German flag, that's the Belgian flag. I finally made it to my terminal and now have some much needed time to reflect. I keep telling myself that reality is setting in, but I don't know that it really ever is. It feels like I'm underwater, looking up into a haze of shapes that make up my future that are almost--but not quite--identifiable. My moments of clarity feel like I'm closer to the surface, bringing the shapes slightly more into focus, but I have yet to really come up and see what's...

The program year has officially begun! My adventure begins with a 3-day orientation seminar in Washington, D.C., where I'll learn from people within the CBYX staff, the State Department, our representatives, and the other participants. Day 1 - July 23, 2017 The orientation seminar began officially at 4pm, where we all checked in with CBYX staff and obtained our room keys. Before that, I had been adventuring with my dad starting on the 21st. We drove to D.C. from Dublin and spent a few days eating food and doing some touristy things around the city. I had a really great time, and it was really nice to spend some time reveling in what it means to be American with my dad.  We arrived at Georgetown University, the location of the seminar, around 3pm. I was a wreck. My stomach was in knots and I didn't want to face the future even though I knew I was so incredibly excited. It was the epitome of mixed feelings. I dragged my luggage behind me anyway and finally, FINALLY star...

I actually wrote this post yesterday while I was in the car on the way to D.C. but I didn't have Wi-Fi so I couldn't post it until now. Enjoy! ___________________________________ I didn’t think it would feel this way when I began packing, but starting to leave things feels incredibly surreal. Saying goodbye to some things feels real, but saying goodbye to some other things makes me wonder why I’m saying goodbye at all. Am I really leaving? Steadily, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve said goodbye to my family and friends. Some of them seem to understand the situation better than I do. I’ve cried while bidding farewell to some, but not others—not because I don’t love them, but because it still feels like I’m going to see them again really soon. I can’t really be leaving, right? Today, I finished packing. I finished cleaning my room, I ran errands, I swept the house, I did the dishes... you know, everything you do before you leave for a while. This time, though, I f...

"How exactly do you pack for a year abroad in Germany?" you may find yourself asking. Truth is, I have absolutely no idea. So far, I have been winging it. About a month ago, in a fit of productive boredom, I made an very detailed and extensive packing list. I gave myself limits for the number of things like tops/bottoms/dresses/shoes that I would bring, I brainstormed and documented all of the electronics and various cables I would need, the paperwork I should keep handy, and most importantly, what I needed and what I wanted.  That last bit is important--of course, nobody who has never been out of the country is magically prepared to spend a long time away from home. I needed some things like space bags, toiletry containers, certain kinds of pants and shoes, converters, etc. CBYX did something really handy a few weeks ago: they sent us a list of things previous participants were glad they brought along with a list of what they wish they hadn't brought. It has proven...

One of my good friends, Carolyn, was so kind as to remind me that I only have one week until I depart for D.C. and, from there, Germany. I'm a wreck, I'm losing my mind, I'm stressed, and I'm oh, so, so excited.  Back to freaking out.