and here we go...

Tomorrow at this time I will (hopefully) be sound asleep and cruising over the Atlantic ocean as I make my way to Amsterdam! I am studying abroad through the CIEE and taking a comparative public health program. Amsterdam is my first stop of two main destinations, the other being London. While London is one of my favorite cities in the world, I've never been to Amsterdam. Needless to say, I'm curious, excited, and ready to explore.

First, let me explain the title of my blog. I recently read a Jane Austen quote that really resonated with me: "A most fortunate man he is to attach himself to such a creature - to a woman who, firm as a rock in her own principles, has a gentleness of character so well adapted to recommend them. He has chosen his partner, indeed, with rare felicity." Not only do I strive to be independent, passionate, and firm on my principles, I also strive desperately to be happy. I believe happiness is something we can choose to have, but like everything else, something we must work hard for. Felicity, to me, refers to a deep and intense type of happiness, found only when one is fully aware of who they are, what they stand for, and what they want. Being comfortable with the person you are and having an unwavering sense of self is the best path to happiness in my opinion. This summer, I want to let go of my fears and embrace the person I am. I'm afraid of meeting new people, going places alone, and getting lost, and it all stems from the fact that I care deeply about how others perceive me. This summer, I'm letting go of that. In pursuit of rare felicity, I will do my best to immerse my self in new places, talk to new people, and explore new cultures without caring what people think of me. I want to be free and outgoing and open-minded and spontaneous. I want to rediscover who I am by placing myself in foreign situations. I want to live and I want to be happy, and I have the ability to make that happen.

I usually hate it when people talk about how study abroad programs are 'life changing' - let's face it: I am only going to be in each city for a month, I'm going to come back to America, and I will still be a privileged white girl. How is my life going to possibly change? I'm not expecting my life to change, but by embracing freedom and new culture, I believe I can expand my mind, and possibly change my outlook in regards to my own life and the world. Who knows. Maybe that's bullshit. Maybe this whole post is stupid and unoriginal and unimportant in the grand scheme of the universe. But it's significant to me, I'm doing this for myself, and that's why it matters.

I will try my best to post often for those of my friends and family who are interested in my adventures! While I love the classes I'm taking, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't most excited to ride my bike around a new city, explore, eat, and get drunk. Here we go!