When all is said and done.....

As I sit here on my last night (completely exhausted, but trying to stay up so that I sleep for most of my long flight tomorrow), I have plenty of time to think and reminisce about everything I have learned and experienced since coming to Leuven over three and a half weeks ago.

We've all heard the joke about "going to Europe to find yourself"... I myself have humorously referred to that line many times. But after only being in Europe for over three and a half weeks I can now personally vouge for that saying. These past few weeks have been exhausting, starting when my flight was canceled on May 17 due to the volcano in Iceland. I've been going 110mph since that day and have truly had a life changing experience while being here on my own. Up until now, I have only traveled with family, close friends, and people that I feel MORE than comfortable around. My time in Europe pushed me outside of my comfort zone.... so often I was overwhelmed with a million different emotions, homesickness, and anxiety, but I survived. Over the past few weeks I have grown in ways I didn't realize I still needed to grow and learned more about the person I have become. I have been pushed and challenged in so many ways while being in Europe, whether this be through interactions with people much different from me, my course work, being alone in a foreign country, the list could go on..... but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Here I am on the last night, getting ready to come home in the morning. Three and a half weeks have flown by.... I have seen things I have only dreamed about, met people who I will never forget, and have had experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I couldn't possibly be more blessed. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I did all I could to make the very most of it.

And now, I return home with so many memories, countless stories, a billion pictures, and a carry on bag full of souvenirs. I can't wait to show you my pictures and tell you about my experiences while being in Europe.... I won't know where to start! I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to be able to do this. I know that everything that I learned throughout these past few weeks are lessons I will take with me forever.





"You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it---I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of... And if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again" --the curious case of benjamin button--