I have never been the type to venture too far from home. Asked me in high school if I wanted to study abroad and my answer would have been, "No way!" But somehow that all changed when I started college and even picked a major that required studying abroad (International Studies). I don't know if you've read my "About Me" on Point Loma's study abroad website, but I chose a place in the Middle East as it is a unique place to go in this day and age. No worries, I'm not putting myself in a war zone as some people I've told think. I've gotten a lot of, "I don't know if I'd wanna be you, HaHa" responses. Not all Arabs or Muslims are extreme jihadists. Jordan is actually becoming more Westernized. Fun fact: the previous queen was American. My goal throughout blogging is to share some beautiful aspects of the Middle East where our Christian faith was born.
As much as I'm up for an adventure, I'm SUPER nervous, right now. I've never travelled by myself, internationally. Workers at airports can be so intimidating nowadays. Gotta look forward to the security checks, multiple plane transfers, long hours of sitting next to who knows who, going through customs, and finding someone to pick me up.
Studying abroad is experiencing independence, more about yourself along with another culture, developing new perspectives...and this all begins a few days before departure. Leave some friendly comments because I could sure use some while I'm abroad. :)
You are going to have an amazing, life ripping open, breath catching, turbulent, emotional, exquisite, and grand adventure! I love you and am cheering you on from London, darling! GOD will bless you!!!
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caits
awww poor jojo.. thats really exciting. man you just make me want to jump in your suitcase.. yeah you will need at least four for me to fit in.. lol.. girl you will do fine. it takes a while to get used to, but you will have a BLAST!!! a lot of good culture experiences for sure you will have.
ReplyDeletei feel you on the checking in the bags and going through security and all that great stuff there..lol. i hate it! especially when its a very very long line. OMG! like seriously, you just want get it over and done with. shoot, and plus you dont even know who will be picking you up at jordan.. what if a random person comes and picks you up and it wasn't even the right one to pick you up??? lol.. Just kidding. not trying to scare you or anything. i am looking forward to read your blogs on you experiences that you will be having in jordan. well, just have fun while you are there. and its good that you are coming back before christmas to spend a lot of time with your family here. WOW!!
okie dokie! HAVE A FUN AND SAFE TRIP!!!
Thank you, lovely ladies!
ReplyDeleteI <3 what you said about the Middle East being where Christianity was born, it was unreal to see Mt. Nebo, the baptism site, etc. and learn about other sites mentioned in the Bible!!
ReplyDeleteand it's great you'll be able to dispel some of those "war zone"/skeptical comments when you get back, so people can know how things really are :)
ps- Queen Noor was the late King Hussein's last wife, and she's American and is still very involved in things like the Jordan River Foundation...Hussein's son Abdullah has been king since '99, and he's married to the gorgeous Queen Rania, who's Palestinian.