Life will never be more exciting than it is now...

Living abroad is exciting. Fact. I won’t lie, it's had its ups and downs, lefts and rights and has presented me with a few teething problems along the way. But most of the time it’s been fantastic, and that’s part of what makes it so exciting. You can never know what is waiting around the corner for you – sometimes it’s a trip to a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, other times it’s new people that end up becoming really good friends, or occasionally it might just be a big dose of homesickness, but this year teaches you how to deal with all of those things. Life is nothing if not one big lesson, and I guess the lesson would be pretty pointless if you didn’t learn anything along the way. What could be more exciting than that?

This year has marked my first break from full time education in 16 years. For the first time, my life doesn’t revolve around deadlines, trips to the library and the next social gathering in the SU. Youth, time and funds are three key things that pretty much everyone on their year abroad has available this year; three things that might not exist simultaneously in our lives ever again. It’s the one and only opportunity I’ve ever had to jet off somewhere cultural for the weekend at a moment’s notice, to sit in quaint little cafes on weekday afternoons drinking a hot chocolate with my Kindle and a Moleskin notebook for company, all whilst scoffing a load of cake. I’ve been able to try my hand at anything I want and try out any version of myself, and what’s more, I’ve probably ended up trying things that would never normally occur to me, because I know that this opportunity probably won’t ever come knocking again. I’ve seen so many new places, met so many lovely people and tried so many different things. What could be more exciting than that? 

“Look for the bare necessities, those simple bare necessities, forget about your worries and your strife.” That’s another thing I’ve learnt this year. I’m finally able to appreciate the message that good old Baloo is trying to convey. I am a worrier. In fact, if worrying were an Olympic sport, I would win the gold medal fifty times over.  But this year has vastly improved my ability to forget about the silly little things and just focus on what’s important. I’ve come to realise that, at the end of the day, all I need is a roof over my head, a family that loves me and a decent supply of tea bags to keep myself going, and that everything else will eventually fall into place. Life on your year abroad removes you somewhat from the trials and tribulations of the quotidian back at home, and has encouraged me just get on with enjoying myself and making the most of my time. What could be more exciting than that?

That’s not to say that once the 31^st May rolls around, I pack up my stuff and settle back into life in my little patch of North London, life will never be exciting again. Even now, I find myself starting to conceptualise my final year at university and what may or may not lie beyond it. And, similarly to how I felt before coming to Germany, I find myself simultaneously looking forward to it and quaking in my boots at the very prospect. The destination, more commonly referred to as ‘The Rest of My Life’ is gradually edging ever-closer, and I’m sure it promises plenty of exciting opportunities along the way, too. But this year has been a huge stepping stone towards that destination, one that I hope will stand me in good stead for the challenges that I’m bound to face. What could be more exciting than that?

On that note, I’m off to Berlin for a few days. What could be more exciting than that?

Ciao for now.

Emily