For the next 4 months I will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel and learn throughout Europe. I officially start my journey tomorrow in Europe, but for the past week I have been exploring Boston.

Leaving Jackson was a lot harder than expected. Living in a different country for a semester has always intrigued me, but I did not realize how intense leaving my friends and family behind would be until it became a reality. Saying goodbye to my parents, sisters, grandparents and friends was suprisingly harder than I thought. Even though it is only 4 months, the idea of missing any big moment good or bad worries me. With all of the upsetting current world events, it is hard not to worry what may happen while I am gone. Unlike when I am at Tulane, I cannot just pick up and drive home if I need to.

As hard as it was to leave Jackson and my loved ones, two of my best friends were waiting for me in Boston. I have been able to see many parts of Boston during this short week that i have been here. My amazing friend (and grandbig) Alanna took me on a bike ride around downtown Boston. This being my first time in Boston, I loved every moment of the uphill busy sidewalks. My best friends, Lexi and Jessy, showed me how to laugh my way through Boston through a comedy show. They also took me to Nantasket Beach where we relaxed for the weekend and I saw Boston through a foggy distant skyline from a smooth boat ride on the water. Another aspect of Boston I discovered was with my cousins, Jan and Ceilia, who showed me the intellectual side. They gave me a tour of Harvard and the Museum of Fine Arts (and of course through insomnia cookies). With each of these exciting moments came another goodbye, but then came another day of exploration.

As hard as saying goodbye to everyone throughout the past week has been, having this experience in Boston excites me for the upcoming 4 months where I will get to learn even more about new cities around the world.