Kendal Howell
ISEP Exchange: International Student Exchange Program
Major: Africana Studies, Sociology
Pre-Departure Post
Woah, I’m about to leave for France. This is crazy. My airplane is moving. I smell a funny engine smell and the people beside me are speaking French. I’m on a lot of medication to make sure my ears don’t hurt on this flight. I’m kinda tired and it’s hard for me to stay happy because of this bittersweet moment. This is a dream come true. to travel the world and still have my business running at home. I have an amazing community and they have been texting me like crazy making sure I’m okay. It’s 6:10 pm now and we were supposed to leave at 5:25. I hope I make my next plane in time. See you in Amsterdam!!!
A few moments later:
I’m a little nervous because I checked 3 bags and I just want them all to make it to my dorm with me 😭
I’m really excited to see the French airport and just experience a new world. I hope everyone gets to do this one day. It’s all honesty. We’re only a plane away from everywhere.
I hope we take off soon. I wanna sleep. Also.. these plane bathrooms are TINY.
Flight 1 update:
It’s been about 4 hrs and I’ve just been enjoying watching people. There’s this really adorable grandpa across the aisle to the left. He has this really adorable brown plaid suit and he was on that tv! Then he went to sleep. Lol when he woke up, the TV timed out and he was pressing everything but the power button to turn it on. Lol! He’s dressed like a character from a cartoon show and I love that.
HOURS LATER:
I finally made it to my room. I really like it. It gives French dorm French College girl ECT. This was the hardest process of my life. I’ve never taken so many modes of transportation in one day. I am exhausted. I am proud of myself, but I am also exhausted. I don’t know how I’m supposed to start school soon.
I don’t know if I have passed the point of no return yet but all I know is that I’m 4,000 miles away from home. It feels surreal because I can still FaceTime my family and call them as much as I want but my mom can’t just drive over to me like she would at UMBC. Oddly enough I still have yet to get super emotional but I know it’s coming soon. My family and I are super close and this is so new for everyone. I embarrassed myself so much at the train station in first class, I packed way too much and I didn’t think it all through. Regardless, the people were so helpful and kind contrary to what I assume France is going to be.
My three tips for future travel are, don’t wear cute shoes when it might be raining, check the weight limits or be ready to pay, and eat before you get on the plane.
Inner thoughts from yours truly,
Kendal Howell