How I'm Coping With My Friends Being Abroad
- thenaturalqueen
- Aug 29, 2018
- 3 min read
If you didn't know, a lot of my friends are studying abroad in Florence this semester. Initially, when I was a fashion major, I was going with them. However, when I switched to DMP last year, I had to make some grown up decisions. I think I would have enjoyed my time in Italy, but I realized a few things: 1. I wouldn't receive enough credits to graduate on time, 2. I would have to dish out a lot of money, and 3. I would only be taking one class that would relate to my major. Because of all these factors, I decided not to go. At one point, I was very upset and worried about this semester. I thought I would be alone all the time. But, once I got onto campus I realized that is a very different story.
When my sister went off to college during my senior year of high school, I threw myself into every club and activity I could think of. I was busy all the time and I didn't have much downtime to think about how much I missed her. Now that I think about it, I pretty much did the same thing this fall (half on purpose and half accidentally). I am not the kind of student (or person) that goes to class and then sits in my room doing nothing. I like being involved and active. I go to club meetings, I talk to professors, I spend time with friends; the list goes on. And I didn't want any of that to change just because some of my friends weren't with me.
During my two weeks back at school, I realized that I am way too dependent on my friends. I would hang out with them almost every night and I could count on them to go to events with me when I didn't want to go alone. And as much as I love them, I came to the realization that I haven't stepped out of my comfort zone in a long time. I needed to be able to go to events on campus alone and not be uncomfortable (which has been a struggle, believe me). But, as cheesy as it may sound, I am finding myself. And I know my friends are finding themselves in Florence as well (and they are eating amazing pasta, so what's better than that??). On top of my normal school-work, I am taking a ceramics class that needs A LOT of outside attention; I am in The Impact Movement which has meetings on Tuesdays and a small group on Thursdays; I am a technical director for TV2 on Fridays; I work three days a week; and I am supporting my friend Claire who is the VP for Dress up for Downs which has meetings on Wednesdays. There are probably other things that I can't think of right now, but as you can see, I have a lot on my plate. I think I am coping pretty well given the circumstances. But, being back at Kent helped me see that I have no true desire to travel to Europe right now. It looks beautiful and the food looks bomb, but I want to travel to smaller places before I go mainstream. They have already gone to some beautiful destinations and the photographer in me is LIVING from the pictures. I am really excited to hear all the stories from my friends when they get back, and I'm also excited to share my experiences with them!
~The Natural Queen
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