Ever since coming back from Fall Break, the countdown to Cambridge has really begun.  From the two hour weekly meetings with Julie Maddox to meetings with my Cambridge group, I’ve definitely been kept busy and am more excited than ever about my adventures in less than two months.  All of the group meetings have been very helpful, informing us about health, safety, packing and expectations while abroad.

 My Cambridge group also has been a great learning experience that I am happy that we are able to have.  Not only do we get to talk to our peer advisor-someone who studied abroad in Cambridge last year-but also friends that she had gone with.  They share their insight with us and we are able to ask any pressing questions we may have.  Something that was important that I asked right away was about the EuroRail and BritRail passes and which to purchase.   Both our advisor and her friend gave us their personal opinions about which they bought, ten day flex pass for the EuroRail and two any four days in two months for the BritRail.  This time also allowed our group to talk and get to know each other, which has been really nice.  We were able to open up and find that we are all interested in traveling around Europe together, which is very exciting.

Thanksgiving break-and all the sales that go with it-was a great time to figure out what I needed for England.  A huge internal debate I had with myself was what kind of suitcase I was going to bring abroad.  We are only allowed to bring one suitcase, a carryon and a personal item on the plane.  After looking up the dimensions on United’s website, my mother and I went to five different stores looking for a suitcase that would be as big as the airline would allow.  We ended up buying one that I had never even thought of getting, a duffle bag on wheels.  This will allow me to pack items and squish them in without be bounded by the strict shape of a regular suitcase.  It is also only 8.6lbs allowing for more of my own items to be packed, such as clothes, boots, and hopefully some peanut butter (they don’t sell peanut butter in Europe) while still under the 50lbs limit United has.

Being home also allowed me to buy a few items I knew I would need and have my sisters and grandparents give me for Christmas, such as a money pouch to go around my neck for my passport and other important documents, as well as a quick dry towel for when I’m traveling around and staying in hostels (you don’t want to have to try to carry a huge towel in your carryon).  Then, of course, there were some impulse buys such as boots and scarves during Black Friday sales that may not have been a necessity, but will definitely come in handy during those chilly, rainy England months.

Overall, the pre-departure experience has been exciting! A little nerve racking, sure, but I feel like I know what I need to know and am ready to start this amazing journey.  I already love the group I’m going with and know that they will be there to support me while I try to figure out what to bring, what to leave at home and will help remind me what not to forget while I’m packing.

By Lauren Zomparelli, Advertising and Creative Writing Majors, Business Minor, from Elmhurst, Illinois.  More posts to come!!