I'm leaving Soon, Soon, Soon.

Hello Friends!

I will be departing to England on January 7 (Approximately two weeks)! I am so full of all sorts of emotions that even coffee can not overcome. It will be such an amazing opportunity full of a lifetime of new experiences. I currently am going between being sad about leaving my amazing blessings of friends, family, and the life I have here. I am absolutely excited to meet my "family" and new friends. As well, as intrigued and a bit nervous for new foods, backward roads, and many more adjustments. 

Speaking of friends and family, remember to not call or text me unless you want to recieve outrageous international fees. You may email me, contact me through here, Facebook me, Skype me, or FaceTime me. If you really want to pay for the postage, you could ask for my address as well. I will miss absolutely everyone! I also have been picturing my departure as being the same as Buddy's from Elf with all his animal friends waving bye and providing all sorts of advice that he may have ignored. No worries, no candy eaten off the streets but I may show up at a pub or two.

I'm exhausted from making packing lists and then remaking them. I just want everything to put itself together! Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way and I was blessed with a love for clothes and way too much clothes to fit in my suitcase. I also need to figure out which books and magazines I would like for my eight hour flight and any additional transportation for weekend trips. I am so going to miss all of my craft stuff (my poor paints and beads will be sitting untouched for four months) and my yoga mat. But, my new adventures are sure to be worth it. So if you have any suggestions or packing tips, that would be absolutely wonderful!

I cannot wait to share my adventures of Harlaxton, Grantham, London, Paris, Dublin, etcetera with all of you. Happy Holidays!

-Erin

Harlaxton Preparation dinner!

Hello friends!

Saturday night was quite excellent. I met for dinner with the student program adviser, Nyssa, and other students from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire that will be attending Harlaxton in the spring. It was nice to hang out and get to know each other before we head out. We also met a couple weeks ago in UWEC's Davies Student Center to ensure that we had a couple of chances to talk prior to leaving in January. It was really wonderful to talk with some of the other students. We got to discuss our level of excitement along with nerves...which we summed up to terrified..excitably terrified. But it will be excellent. I also have ended up canceling the trip to stratford as I found out that I had not signed up for the class that was required to go there. I may end up taking a day trip myself for the theatre aspect. I've also officially signed up for the school organized long weekend trip to Ireland and I am so incredibly excited about that.

- Erin

Started Booking Weekend Trips!

Hello friends!

Guess what? 

I just booked weekend trips to London, Stonehenge/Bath, and Paris through Harlaxton college! Ireland will be added at some point as well! I absolutely cannot believe how close it's getting to January(at least it seems like it). Yay! I am so excited!! Arghh.

So those are the trips that I plan to be doing from the list of trips we can sign up for that is organized through the school! I'm also hoping to go on some trips organized either by myself or with a few other students! 

- Erin

The Preparation Begins

Hello friends!

I will be studying abroad during the spring 2015 semester at Harlaxton Manor in England.

If you would like to know more about the manor here's the website: http://www.harlaxton.ac.uk

There is a chance you have seen Harlaxton before! Either through my Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/erihead/study-abroad-harlaxton/) or through film! Harlaxton has been featured in multiple films with The Haunting(1999) being the most well known one. Harlaxton manor was built by the amazing Gregory Gregory. (Side note: I find that to be an extremely cool name...it's like Phillip Phillips but better.) He merged multiple architectural styles, mainly elizabethan and jacobean, together to come up with the result that is Harlaxton Manor. There is a lake. There is a mile long driveway. There is a carriage house. This manor might as well be a castle, it is so detailed and spectacular. I haven't even gotten there yet and I can tell... although I am sure it will be a million times more as spectacular when I am actually there. Harlaxton is also very much like Hogwarts from Harry Potter. They split the students into four houses and have house competitions. It will be excellent. While the names are different, the colors are similar, which makes me a very happy and dorky person.

Also, If you want to know more about current events in the UK look for the BBC news headlines to the right of the posts! There is also a countdown to when I depart. I will be leaving the United States at approximately 6:12pm on January Seventh. It will be a 8 hour and 13 minute flight that will consist of sleeping, movies, and books...at least that's my current plan. I am so extremely excited and a bit of a mix of other expected emotions.

Last week we had our study abroad orientation which provided all sorts of tips, lists, and important details. It also led me to buying that lovely plane ticket. Yay! I was given a packing list...I still do not know how I am going to fit everything for three and a half months into one suitcase and a backpack. There will be lots  of elimination which will result in frustration and a need for chocolate..or coffee..coffee is always a good option. Anyways, I will be occasionally posting updates in the next few months of all the excitement and annoyances of preperation for my wonderful semester at Harlaxton Manor! There will be plans for potential weekend trips, I may be given a british family..the excitement will continue to build.


Thank you all for being so incredibly amazing and supportive!

- Erin