Can I Bring My Cat?

Madelline Morgan-Knox University of Otago, New Zealand

Date

January 20, 2017

Twenty five days until departure... It doesn’t seem real. If I think about it a lot I get so excited I want to throw up. I’ve never had trouble leaving home, and the pure joy that surrounds my excitement is overwhelming. I can’t help but wonder when the reality of my semester abroad will hit me. Will it be as I’m boarding the plane? Will it be during the first shower I take in my flat? Will it be when I hear the distinct New Zealand accent? Only time will tell!

Speaking of time, I guess I should start thinking about what to pack. I have a goal: bring only two bags, no suitcases. I want to fit everything into a hiking backpack and a regular backpack. Now this may seem a bit ambitious, but I really want to work on living only with what I need. Forget all that other stuff. I’m going to a place known for its shore to shore beauty and grandeur and I’m going to experience it with the bare minimum because that’s all I need. Plus, in most traveling situations, there’s always that one person who packs too much, therefore providing me with that dental floss I probably won’t bring.

I’m most excited to be a part of the landscape. It’s going to be summer!!! The ocean, mountains, birds, penguins, the ocean, avocados, weird accents, the ocean, rugby, shorts, wine tours, and the ocean!
I’m most nervous about finding a great group of friends as an international student. I don’t want to hang around the Americans all of the time, even though that may be the most comfortable thing to to. This experience is all about stepping outside the comfort zone to see what I’m capable of.

The biggest question on my mind, however, is- Can I bring my cat?

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