Introduction.

Today is Thursday the 16th of August 2012. Three days before I leave to be an exchange student at Eastern University in Philadelphia PA. Everything is sorted and all I have left to do is catch up with a few friends before leaving.

I am currently doing a Bachelor of Primary Teaching and Worldview Studies degree at Laidlaw College and am half way through my second year. Within the initial few weeks of my first year we were made aware of this opportunity to go on an exchange to Eastern and something jumped within me. Immediately, I knew I had to do it. A phone call home and I had the parents on board.

The process of applying, filling in forms, waiting to hear back, filling in new forms, consulate visits, medical examinations, injections, confusion at Laidlaw and at Eastern, miscommunication, definitely became tiring and at some points I asked myself if it was all worth it. I stuck out the tedious process and am now anticipating getting on that aeroplane and beginning my almost day long journey from Auckland to Sydney to Dallas to Columbus for a few days, to Chicago to Philadelphia.

A part of me is sad to go, leaving my friends and family, my church, my girlfriend, and band. Mostly I am excited (not all screamy-headless-chicken-excited), rather full of anticipation that this is going to be a new thing, with new experiences, new friends, a new church, a new way of life and understanding for the next 3-4 months.

I will attempt to keep this blog regular with updates and pictures, but who knows, I may be having too much fun to do that.

To all my friends and family, I would really appreciate prayer for this upcoming journey. Prayer that my flights would go without a hitch, customs would be smooth experience, that I am able to settle in at Eastern, make new friends and find a church quickly.