When I first decided to study abroad I knew off hand it was something I wanted to do. It was just a matter of what location I wanted to go to. When I realized my choices I decided England would be my destination and September 18 would be my departure date.

Once I arrived here I was so overwhelmed with excitement, anxiety and nervousness. Will I make friends? Will I fit in here? Is the school work hard? All these thought were rushing through my mind but once I settled into my accommodations I knew I had made the right choice.

Being on a different side of the world has not only taught me diligence but opened my eyes to a different way of life that is similar to my world in America, minus the British accents and relaxed atmosphere. I decided that I would stay for the whole academic year even though it would possibly make me miss graduation in spring 2011 but I said to myself, “This is a once and a lifetime experience that was offered to me.”

Half of my goals I set for myself are currently being accomplish with this exchange and I have a lot more set forth, but as of now I’m soaking in and enjoying the cloudy, raining and sometimes sunny days in England. To say I’ve traveled the world at a young age is a huge accomplishment for me and I believe you can do the same to if you set your mind and heart to it.

– Charity Chambers