Year abroad blues

If I was to say I was okay at the moment I would be lying. This semester is proving to be extremely challenging, even though I know that if this was to happen at home, it would be no feat at all. 

When I first arrived at UNT we had an induction session where we introduced to the concept of the 'year abroad blues'. We were told that they usually hit students during the middle of November and there would be a low point up until the beginning of February and things would start to perk up again. The trouble is I didn't have a 'dip' at all last semester. I couldn't have asked for a better semester. I became really close with a group of exchange students, made friends with people on my course, got a boyfriend and was making the most of my time here by travelling at the weekend. 

However, all good things must come to an end, right? 

I suddenly realised a few weeks into my first semester that I was one of two exchange students that were remaining in the U.S for the full academic year. The others were only staying for the semester and I suddenly started to panic. In order to maintain a social life, I decided to move to 'Bruce Hall' in my second semester as it was a dorm only for music students. I felt like this would be the best solution. 

However, it didn't really pan out that way. I went home for Christmas and had a fantastic time with my friends and family. The only problem was that I didn't think I was going back to America after the holidays. I saw myself back at Birmingham with my old course mates and if I'm honest, the reality of it didn't hit me at all... not even at the airport. 

At first I went to Chicago and had a fantastic time with my boyfriend, but the mood changed once I was back in Denton. The first thing I saw was Santa Fe, the old dorm I lived in last semester - where all my exchange friends didn't live anymore. Denton was starting to enclose on me. I have never felt more trapped in a place than I have in Denton. As someone who has always lived in big towns and in big cities, Denton is the smallest place I have lived in, in my entire life. 

Socially this term has been a struggle. I am having resurrect my social situation, which is difficult since everyone here is underage. The drinking culture is very different here and I miss just going to the pub with someone for a drink and a chat. I am having to switch rooms today because my roommate is unaccommodating to the extent where she wakes me up at 4:30am if everyday because of her practice routine and as a result, I have just got over the flu. I have just broken up with my boyfriend for reasons out of my control, which kills me as it worked so well. 

I have very little security here. 

I know I'm not behaving rationally here because if this happened at home, I would wipe myself down and get back up again and sort everything out... but I'm so alone here that I find it hard just to ask someone to hang out. I know I need to change something, but I can't seem to find the strength. 

I'm struggling. 

Healthcare

Today has been another day that I have spent in the bed. Over the past four days, I have been very sick. I have been extremely rundown for several reasons and it was hardly surprising that I got ill. I started to feel poorly on Wednesday and by Thursday I was starting to feel worse. The opera rehearsal was proving to be hard work - normally it was easy standing, waiting for directions, but this rehearsal was proving to be too much. I just wanted the process to end. 

On Friday, I felt even worse. I somehow managed to get out of bed to my 8am conducting class and it was torture. I was sweating profusely and as we practiced our conducting, I could feel my temperature rising further and further. I went back to bed and I was thankful that my 12pm was cancelled. I messaged my director and MD and apologised that I wouldn't be able to make it to my opera rehearsal. 

After that I spent 24 hours in bed. I couldn't move. I was falling in and out of sleep constantly. I was sweating, I had aches in my stomach, a headache, I had lost my voice and a violent cough that was making me want to heave. I felt awful. Around 12am, I managed to pull myself together and get into the shower. Just getting off my bed took me thirty minutes alone. 

On Saturday, my friend Erin kindly took me to the doctors to get myself checked out. I was curious about the American health system. The truth of the matter is that the Brits give American's a lot of stick for their healthcare system and the seemingly backwards nature of it. Being born in Britain has meant that I am entitled to the National Health Service - a free health service for any British citizen. This is paid for by the taxpayer and they will contribute approximately £1900 ($3100) a year (approx. £160/$260 a month). 

I made that when I went to the US that I took out a travel insurance plan. I had heard so many horror stories of foreigners who had been caught out in the US and ended up in thousands of dollars worth of debt. However, I was aware that when I went to the doctors that I was going to have to pay up front and then be reimbursed by my insurance company. 

We went to a GP's clinic that was owned by the company 'CareNow'. Now the initial thing about this GP's clinic was that you could get a 'walk in' appointment. At home, it would be impossible to have a walk-in appointment. You must be up just before 8am and rush to the phone and try and make an appointment with the receptionist. If you try and ring at 8:05am all the appointments will be gone and you will have to ring back the next day to play the waiting game again. Of course you could go to a walk-in centre or a 24 hour clinic, but it is at the risk of making an appointment with someone who doesn't know your medical history. 

I sat in the reception for about 45 minutes and was quite occupied during that time. Firstly, the reception area was so much different to the clinics in England. It was very spacious, super clean and modern. Thinking back to home, there was only one clinic that was as modern and spacious as this centre and it only opened a few years back. The trouble with a lot of practices in England is that they are old and haven't been revamped in a very long time. As a result, they look drab and rather sorry for themselves. 

On the other hand, it was very American. I know this is a ridiculous statement to make, but when you have been here for a while, you begin to realise that a lot of houses and businesses are fashioned in the same way. Most houses have the same tabletops, the same skirting boards, cabinets etc. You can't say that in England. Houses in England are built very differently, but I have been to so many houses and businesses now that are structured the same and have the same interior.  

After 45 minutes, I was called over by a nurse who took my height and my weight. She spoke to me about my symptoms, how long I had felt like this, how I would rate the pain etc. and she then left the room. I thought that was slightly odd and I sat by myself for about five minutes. Suddenly, a doctor came into the room, who asked me some questions about my symptoms and my medical history. She took my temperature, checked my throat and told me that I had a respiratory infection and the flu. She told me what medication she was going to put me on and how to take it. She then left the room and a different nurse came in. She handed me my prescriptions, a doctors note and paperwork for the receptionist. I was then taken to the reception to pay for my visit. 

The total visit came to $83 (£50).

The thing that really took me by shock in this centre was the fact that I was seen to by three different health care professionals. A typical appointment at home will consist of approximately 10 minutes with the doctor to explain something that has potentially been causing you problems for over a year. This isn't a criticism of the NHS. I think most of us watched the BBC programme 'Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a day' and on one of the episodes it followed a day of a GP. She explained the time constrictions she had and how it was her job to prevent the majority of patients heading to hospital where the expensive treatments were. It is clear that in a time of austerity, the NHS does not have the money to fund such luxuries as time and staff. 

I went to pick up my antibiotics and cough medicine from a pharmacy (quick comment - did you know they have drive through pharmacies in America...) and I paid $50 (£30) for the medicine - very different to the £7.50 ($10) charge for every variety of medicine from the NHS.

I'm definitely starting to feel a lot better now. I don't have a temperature anymore or an upset stomach, I'm just waiting for this cough to go and to get my voice back. 

I am also looking forward to the day off tomorrow...

SO

What are my thoughts on this system? Is it better than the NHS? Should we say no to the NHS and throw it down the drain?

Of course not, don't be silly.

The American health system sums up one thing for me - you get what you pay for. According to statistics, an individual in the US will pay $5600 (£3400) a year for healthcare - almost double what we pay in taxes. The quality of service I received was fantastic and as result, I feel well on my way to recovery, which is great...

IF you can afford it. 

Lucky for me, this will be back in my bank account in a few weeks and it will be as if this trip to the doctors never happened... but what if you're poor? So poor that you can barely pay your bills and a trip to the doctors is enough to send you over the financial edge. What then? I guess you don't go. You suffer. What might have been just a cough could have been a sign of lung cancer, but instead you go without because you can't afford treatment. 

However, with the introduction of Obamacare, individuals that earn under $45,000 and families that earn under $90,000 a year will be able to apply for subsidies from the government to pay their health insurance. Hooray you say? Well apparently not, if there has ever been a bitter dispute between the Republican and the Democratic party, it has been over healthcare. 

I am by no means a socialist, but I do believe that healthcare is something that we all should be entitled to and that it is the responsibility of the government and society to take care of the poor, the vulnerable and the disabled. Poverty is not a choice - people do not decide to be poor. Even though the NHS might be slow sometimes and you may have to wait for an operation or to be seen in A&E, it is still there if you need it. It will cover you whether you need a stitch on you thumb or brain surgery. 

The NHS is truly one of the things that makes Britain great and it will be a wicked day if anyone decided to abandon it. 

Chicago

So and as soon as I was home, I'm back again in the US. If I'm honest it feels like I haven't left, even though somethings are different. The exchange group I became extremely close to have all gone home to their home university's and I am here alone with the American's. I have also changed halls and have a new roommate. I'm enjoying my new classes and am picking up some useful skills including Italian diction, French diction and conducting. 

It was hard getting back into routine after such a fantastic time in the city of Chicago. Originally I was quite nervous about going to the city as their was tremendous storm across the north of the US the week I was meant to fly out. The weather most days was around -25c. Luckily by the time I flew out it was only -12 and it warmed up over the few days I was there. 

I spent the first day in the town of Frankfort (which is just outside Chicago) and had my first real Chicago deep pan pizza. It was pretty lush, I won't lie. 

You don't get this in the shops. 

The first day was pretty chilled. I was quite sick over the holidays and was still ill when I arrived in the city. I was also stupidly jetlagged and wasn't impressed that I was put on an old BA flight. It didn't even have a TV on the seat - what the hell is up with that?!

The second day I spent in Chicago and it was pretty jam-packed. At first we headed into Chinatown and we tried lots of different herbal teas and some Chinese bakery goods. We had the most fantastic lunch at a restaurant in the quarter, making us suitably stuffed for the day. After that, we headed to the art museum  - before I go on, America WTF. Why do you charge for your museums?! I can't even get over this. Anyway...

Such a beautiful art gallery and if I'm honest, there was too much to see in a short amount of time. However, I found a really exciting new artist called Monika Baer and I found myself really interested in her work.

I also saw an incredibly famous work of art, the 'American Gothic'. 

After the art exhibition we headed to Millennium Park, which looked so beautiful in the snow. I couldn't get over how deep it was! I had some fun traipsing around the park... 

We ended up looking at the Palladium and the famous Chicago 'Bean'. A lot of people were there, taking photos of themselves in the Bean. Of course, I joined in... 

After going to the Bean, we looked at several other sites around the city including the theatres, the ABC news studio, Intelligensia Coffee and the Chicago Cultural exhibit. Before I arrived in Chicago, I didn't think I was going to think very much of the city, but before I knew it, I found myself falling in love with it slightly. It was a very imposing city, with tall buildings and wide roads, but cleaner than New York. There was a lot going on, but not too much. You weren't constantly knocked into. 

We headed home after that, I was feeling pretty ill throughout the day and in the end, I was just exhausted. The next day was another early start, but instead it began with a coffee tasting class at 'Counter Culture' in the arts district of the city. It was a pretty interesting experience and as per usual, my taste buds were DA BOMB.

We had lunch in the area and then headed to central Chicago. It was here that I completed my dream and I stepped into 'Rock and Roll McDonalds'.

I have achieved everything I wanted in life and more.

Walking through the city we walked past the Chicago river (still covered in ice) and we found ourselves outside the Chicago Lyric Opera. A very special moment for me.

As we continued on through the city, it started to rain. And it didn't stop. I didn't know it could rain when the temperature was below zero...

We stopped at a coffee shop - pretty disappointing, tasted like cigarette butts - and headed to a fantastic Italian restaurant called Quartinos. I would say it was possibly the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to in my life.
Good shout Eli.

After dinner, we swam through the city and found the car and headed to the evening's entertainment - the Blue Man group.
Eli had kept quiet about this group and I wasn't really sure what I was going to expect. All I can say is that it was pretty fantastic, but I can't really describe what happened... I've posted a link to one of their acts, but this is just one part of a large item...

We headed back to Frankfort and we were so tired that we just went to bed. In the morning we packed for a mighty sixteen hour drive back to UNT.
The first day was the drive to Springfield, Missouri (apparently the largest meth county in the US) and that took around nine hours. We stopped in St. Louis, which was a nice town and we crossed the Mississippi River as we left Illinois.

We finally arrived in Springfield and stayed out our friends house - well, log cabin.

It was a really beautiful house and we were really welcomed. We headed off early in the morning and drove through Missouri and Oklahoma as we approached the mighty state of Texas.
I can't say I think much of Oklahoma. It's just.... barren...
After seven hours we got into UNT and since then it feels like I haven't left.

However I can now say:
- I have been to four states in the U.S - Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas
- Driven over 1000 miles in America
- Crossed the Mississippi
- Visited the city of Chicago

Here's to more travelling! 

Travelling

So it must be said, I'm feeling rather sorry for myself at the moment. I've been working long hours; nearly everyday since I've been home. I haven't really seen as many people as I would have liked to and I'm worried I won't before I head off again. However, I have to remind myself that these long hours will be worth it in the long run. 

Over the last couple of months I have been planning and booking the travelling that I intend to do once I complete my university year in America. The majority is booked; I have a few flights and hostels that need to be sorted, but overall I am ready. I thought I would write out the itinerary for the trip. 

May 14th 

Day 1 - Arrive in Los Angeles 

In the early hours of the morning I will fly to Los Angeles and meet Colleen at the airport a few hours later. We'll then travel together to our hotel and do a bit of touristy stuff - see Hollywood, the homes of the stars etc. 

May 15th 

Day 2 - Journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas 

We have a pretty early start that day, meeting the other passengers of the Contiki tour at a Hilton hotel in L.A at 5am. We will then drive to Las Vegas, through the Mojave Desert, see the iconic Joshua Trees and end up in Sin City. The evening consists of heading down to the 'Strip' and then a limo trip down Freemont Street and who knows what next... 

May 16th 

Day 3 - Journey from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon 

I imagine we'll probably have the hangover of a lifetime on this morning, so I imagine a lot of the time on the coach will consist of sleeping. We will follow a section of Route 66 and stop at the small of Seligman. We will then continue onto one of the world's greatest natural wonders. 

May 17th 

Day 4 - Grand Canyon National Park 

There is the opportunity to have a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon in the morning and in the afternoon, we will hike along the South Rim of the Canyon. 

May 18th 

Day 5 - Grand Canyon to Durango via Monument Valley 

Again there will be a lot of travelling involved in this day and we will experience views, famous in John Wayne films. We will visit the Navajo Tribal Park along the way and learn about the American Indian way of life. After this, we will leave the colourful rock formations of Arizona and Utah and head into the rugged state of Colorado. 

May 19th 

Day 6 - Durango to Albuquerque 

The day will consist of horseback riding across the back country and a visit to an old mine on a four wheel drive excursion. Heading to New Mexico, it will be time to hang out in the pueblo of Albuquerque. 

May 20th 

Day 7 - Albuquerque to Amarillo 

On the way to Amarillo (haha), we will stop in Santa Fe, a city that mixes Mexican, Spanish, Anglo and American Indian cultures. During this trip we will visit the art galleries and architecture of the city. Heading Eastbound, we will go to Amarillo, a small town known for its ranches and cattle auctions. We will also visit a 'Cadillac ranch' and learn a bit about the classic American car. 

There is also an opportunity to take on the 'Big Steak Challenge' - a 4.4lb portion of beef. 

May 21st 

Day 8 - Amarillo to Dallas 

The next two days will not be very new for me. It will consist of visiting some of the downtown core spots! 

May 22nd 

Day 9 - Dallas 

Again, this day will consist of visiting the Sixth Floor Museum (although I did this a couple of months ago) and a tour to the Cowboys Stadium (again, been there, done that). Later we will head to Fort Worth, famous for its historic stockyards. It's a pretty sweet city - might pick up some cowboy boots on my way! 

May 23rd 

Day 10 - Dallas to Memphis 

Leaving Texas and entering Arkansas, you can grab a photo of yourself in two places at once. We will stop at Little Rock, an important spot during the Civil Rights Movement and former home of Bill Clinton. We we cross the Mississippi River and pull into Memphis and stop at the Rock'n'Soul Museum in the city. 

May 24th 

Day 11 - Memphis 

We will start by visiting Graceland, the home of the King of Rock'n'Roll. We will visit the Civil Rights Museum, which is housed in the Lorraine Motel, the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. We will head to Sun Studios, famous for recording Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. We will head to Beale Street in the evening, the stomping ground for famous singers such as B.B King and Tina Turner. 

May 25th 

Day 12 - Memphis to New Orleans 

On our way, we will visit Jackson and cross Lake Pontchartrain on the longest bridge in the world. We will head to New Orleans' French Quarter, the French Market and Jackson Square. We will head out on a Mississippi riverboat and head onto the river to listen to a live Dixie Jazz band. We will then head to the famous Bourbon street in the evening and probably never know what happened that night... 

May 26th 

Day 13 - New Orleans to Orlando 

That morning will consist of probably dying and maybe seeing a bit more of New Orleans. We will then head to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport and head to Orlando, Florida. We will then meet Colleen's family and will stay with them for a few days. 

May 27th 

Day 14 - Disney World, Orlando 

Pretty self-explanatory really. Lots of fun, riding roller-coasters and making the most of the great theme park. 

May 28th & May 29th 

Day 15 and 16 - Orlando and Miami 

We will spend most of this time with Colleen's family. Hopefully we will be able to visit the beaches that Florida is famous for, travel down to Miami and enjoy the inevitable hot weather that Florida is famous for. 

May 30th 

Day 17 - Orlando to New York 

There will be an early start and we will head to the Big Apple for a few days. We will head to our hostel for the evening and explore the city alone before we start our second tour on the 31st. Sights will hopefully include the Met!!!! 

May 31st 

Day 18 - New York 

Hopefully we will be able to have breakfast at Tiffany's in the morning and explore more of the city alone before we transfer to our new hotel with our new tour company. In the evening we will go on a night tour of NYC and head to the South Street Seaport to see the views of the NYC bridges at night. We will head to the Rockefeller Centre and see the statue of Prometheus outside. 

June 1st 

Day 19 - New York 

We will visit Chinatown, Wall Street and Ground Zero. We will head back down to the South Street Seaport and see views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. We will then have a boat ride around the Manhattan harbour, where we will see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan landscape. We will head up the Empire State Building and tour the United Nations, where all 192 countries meet to discuss ideas. We will head to Fifth Avenue, one of the most expensive streets in the world, Times Square and the Sea, Air and Space Museum. 

June 2nd 

Day 20 - Philadelphia to Washington D.C. 

In the morning we will head from New York to Philadelphia, where we will visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the U.S. Constitution was drafted. We will see the Liberty Bell and snack on a Philly sandwich. We will head on to the nations capital and visit the Lincoln Memorial. We will also visit the Jefferson Memorial and the National Museum of Natural History. We will see the White House and tour the Vietnam Veterans Memorial who fought during service. 

June 3rd 

Day 21 - Washington D.C. to Niagara Falls via Hershey 

We will first travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania and visit Hersheys Chocolate World. Later that day, we will head on to Niagara Falls and view the falls during the evening. 

June 4th 

Day 22 - Niagara Falls to Boston via Buffalo 

In the morning we will take a ride on the Maid of the Mist and see the falls properly. We will then head to Buffalo airport, where we will fly to Boston to continue our journey and head to our next youth hostel. 

June 5th 

Day 23 - Boston 

During our time in Boston, we will try to see as much as we can including Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail (which includes 16 key historical spots of the American Revolution), Boston harbour (to throw away our dignity/tea) and the US constitution museum. Hopefully we will be able to get to Havard and see the world famous university. 

June 6th 

Day 24 - Boston to England, U.K. 

Our last day will be more relaxed, focusing on the final journey home. My first time home in 5 months! I imagine I will be exhausted and broke at this point... 

Coming home

I was oddly nervous about going home. 

I could feel myself shaking that morning, the sort of nerves I only get before performing. I was unsure of what was going to happen when I arrived home; I was worrying that maybe everything had changed and that everyone I cared for had forgotten about me. A lot of irrational thoughts, but still... 

The airport experience in the U.S was different to the one had experienced trying to get into the States. Instead of the grueling questions and being taken in for extra searches, I was asked nothing, no one asked to see my visa/visa forms and there was one search. If that didn't say 'thanks for leaving our country', I don't know what does. 

The journey home was comfortable. Although the journey was delayed by approximately two hours, we arrived in London on time (turns out they decided to take a short cut and the flight became seven hours rather than nine...). I didn't sleep very well on the plane. There was so much going around my head. Although I desperately wanted to go home, the truth was that I had got used to not seeing anyone I knew. 

The other harsh truth was that this journey meant that half of the adventure was already over. 

STOP. 

Before you continue, play this to finish the rest of this blog... 

I woke up after maybe an hour, looked out of my window and suddenly saw land. I saw those wonderful green hills for the first time in four months. Although I had grown used to Texas, there was something rather ugly about the barren, brown terrain of Texas. I suppose when I have always lived on the border of the countryside, I have become close to these green flowing hills and until I saw them for the first time in such a long time, I didn't realise how much I had missed them. 

Flying into Heathrow, we circled London and from the skies I could see the Thames, the Millennium Dome and the London Eye. When stuck in Denton, I had realised how lucky I was at home to live so close to the capital and one of the most important cultural, political and financial centres on the planet.

Running through customs and grabbing my suitcase I saw my Mum and Dad for the first time in too long, as I entered arrivals. 

I feel like a douche. I just cried over writing about bloody hills. 

The sad stuff

The thought that comes into your mind after you spend some time with those you're close to for the first time in months is 'I'm going to be alone again'. 

You learn how to say goodbye. This goodbye is forever. 

Things I wish I had known before my year abroad - part one

It's been over a month since I wrote an entry and I've missed it a lot! The term became very busy in the past three weeks with the opera and my upcoming jury, but I've found some spare time before I start the next opera, Sweeney Todd. 

I've been wanting to write a three-part blog and I want to base these blogs on three different areas: 

The things you should before you go on a year abroad, period. 

The things you should know about studying in the United States. 

The things you should know about studying in Texas. 

I have had many surprises on my journey, some have been really wonderful, others could have been avoided... If you're planning on having a year abroad, I hope that I can help reduce the amount of surprises you might have. 

So, here goes part one...

Things you should know before you go on a year abroad, period. 

1. DO IT 

If you have the opportunity and you can (sort of) afford it: do it. The chances are that you will never have this opportunity again, even though you think you might. To study abroad for your postgraduate can be a lot more expensive than the U.K. (especially if you want to go to the U.S). This opportunity means that you have the chance to live in a different country with no real responsibilities or commitments: no job, no bills, no family. 
Do it before you're trapped. 

Don't question it: do it.  

2. Go for a year, not just a semester (if you can)

If I'm honest, three months is not enough time. You're never going to settle in a new country in only three months.  However, don't feel alarmed at the prospect of a 'year'. If I'm honest, this experience has made me realise how quickly time does fly. It's nearly three weeks until I'm home and I've already been here for three months. Does it feel like three months? Not at all. 

3. Travel

This might sound ridiculous, but many people who go on a year abroad plan on travelling, but they never get the chance because life catches up with them. My recommendation is do it, even if you can't afford. Young Brits: extend your overdraft and think about the consequences when you're back in the U.K - work for the rest of the summer if you have to! This might be the only chance you have - seize the moment and do for it. 

4. Buy/borrow a decent camera 

Oh the horror. 

Whatever you do, don't do what I did and go with a cheap camera. You do not want to go to any wonders of the world and realise that your camera can barely pick up the colour, let alone the landscape. This might be a pricey investment, but if you have a friend who is willing to lend their decent camera to you on a life or death basis, do it. These memories will be captured forever. 

5. Try to meet other international students

I have had the opportunity here to make friends with people from different backgrounds. I have made friends with an incredible bunch of American's, but also a number of international exchange students like myself. As harsh as it may seem, I never really had the patience for exchange students when I was a Birmingham, especially if they couldn't speak English very well. However, when you're a foreigner as well, you realise how much of a struggle it can be - that's when you speak the language fluently as well!!!
Besides, it also means that you have a lot of cool places you can visit like Holland, Australia and Finland. 

6. If you need to get a visa for your year abroad, be advised that it doesn't take six hours

When I went to get my visa, I was under the impression that it would take approximately six hours. It doesn't. It takes around two. SO, if you don't have any plans with anyone in London, waiting for a coach for six hours probably isn't the best idea. Luckily the weather was nice, so I sat in a park near Victoria and read in the sun for a couple of hours. 

7. It's not a 24/7 holiday 

Although travelling is a must, everyday is not an adventure. Something that I wasn't expecting was the feeling of 'groundhog day'. For a period of three weeks, every day was starting to feel the same - it was like I was repeating the same day. If you're like me and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with public transport can only be described as s***, this feeling is imminent. 

8. Homesickness can strike at any moment

Homesickness has caught me surprise here. I'm not the sort of person who would normally feel homesick, but there have been three sudden moments where I have been homesick. 

It's okay to feel like that. You'll feel instantly better after a skype with some home friends. 

9. Treasure your home food products 

I cannot begin to explain how much you will miss British food. I came into the country with a lot of teabags, but nothing else. When you go to your new local supermarket, you begin to realise there isn't a lot you recognise from your British supermarket. If you can (I will understand if you can't), try and pack some treats: crisps, biscuits, sweets - try to stock up or get your family to send you some. I bought some digestives the other day and the taste took me straight back to home. 

1o. Book a direct flight to your new home

The last thing you want when you move to a new location is losing your luggage. You have to think that you're entire life is in that suitcase. Although it might be slightly more expensive than a flight with stops, it is simply not worth the risk. 

11.  Think about purchasing an Iphone

Most countries will expect you to get a contract phone and as a result, it is hard to find a decent pay as you go contract. The only reason I advise getting an IPhone is because most people have them and you'll still be able to communicate with people with wifi on IMessage and FaceTime. You'll also be able to download handy apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype to keep in contact with your family.

12. Prepare to change. 

You're about to do something life changing and it will change your life forever. You will come to realise what really matters, who you miss and what you miss and who you don't miss at all. You suddenly realise what it is that you want and who you want to be. 

Living in a different country by yourself is probably the scariest thing someone can do. For the first time in a while, I feel like I've really started to live every day as if it was my last. 

Te Deum.