I would like to start off by saying I have never blogged before. Truth be told, this is the closest thing to a diary or journal that I've ever had. That being said, bear with me. I know there are going to be weeks where I forget to post, and then I may have a million things to say and post twice, or even three times, in one day. I am not really sure what I am going to say or where this blog is going to go, but I am excited to find out.
I chose the title of my blog for a few reasons. First, the title comes from the song "Southern State of Mind", sung by a famous South Carolina grad, Darius Rucker. Second, I was raised in Tennessee with a "southern state of mind." However, I have realized that my state of mind is about to change. As I embark on what will be one of the most exciting and challenging journeys of my life so far, I know that my way of thinking and approaching life is subject to change (and if it doesn't, then I am not doing it right). And so I welcome the change and the challenge.
And now a little bit about myself. I am a junior at (the real) USC :). I am a double major in International Business and Global Supply Chain and Operations Management (GSCOM for short). My minor is Spanish and I am concentrating my studies on Latin and South America. For the next seven months, I will be living in Montevideo, Uruguay. My journey begins January 4th, with the Patagonia, a beautiful and natural region at the Southernmost tip of South America. I will be there for two weeks, backpacking and hiking through different parts of Chile and Argentina. Technically, my academic semester doesn't start until March 9th. I am going two months early in order to do a little traveling. Additionally, because all of my classes will be in Spanish, I want to make sure my language skills are where they need to be. The Spanish classes at USC are great, but there is nothing like full immersion. Hopefully, when I come back, I will be near fluent!
This isn't my first time out of the country, but I have never traveled quite like this. My goal is to leave America with one suitcase and a backpack. If you knew me, you'd know how difficult that will be. I am the type of person who brings an outfit for every occasion, shoes in every color, and unnecessary items that I know I probably won't use, but "just-in-case". But I am trying to be conservative, and will be packing only what is necessary.
The best advice I received to combat my impulse packing was from HER CAMPUS, a website directed towards college women. Here is the link:
http://www.hercampus.com/life/travel/ultimate-study-abroad-packing-list
I learned that solid colors are a must, because they go with the almost anything. Accessories can make an outfit you wear everyday into evening wear, and a cute sweater can keep you warm on those chilly fall days. Yes, I will be there in the fall. The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. So lucky for me, I am saying goodbye to sweatshirts and freezing weather and hello to swimsuits, shorts, and an apartment only a few blocks from the beach (hopefully :)).
Speaking of apartments... I have NO CLUE where I am living yet. My lovely mother is flying all the way down to South America with me to move me in. Our primary objective is to apartment hunt. It's a little stressful, not knowing where I will end up, but I have faith it'll all work out. Worst case, I will stay in a hostel for seven months... but that isn't my first choice (or my second).
If you had asked me a month ago, I would have told you that I was very apprehensive about living in South America, but I believe now that I am ready to go. The nerves are mostly gone, and they are replaced with excitement. My undergraduate career so far has lead to this, and I think I am well prepared. I am sure that I will run into a few roadblocks along the way, which is expected, but I'm confident I can handle them.
And so concludes my first post. I plan on posting two or three times a month, so come back soon to read about my first big adventure, the Patagonia.
The best advice I received to combat my impulse packing was from HER CAMPUS, a website directed towards college women. Here is the link:
http://www.hercampus.com/life/travel/ultimate-study-abroad-packing-list
I learned that solid colors are a must, because they go with the almost anything. Accessories can make an outfit you wear everyday into evening wear, and a cute sweater can keep you warm on those chilly fall days. Yes, I will be there in the fall. The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. So lucky for me, I am saying goodbye to sweatshirts and freezing weather and hello to swimsuits, shorts, and an apartment only a few blocks from the beach (hopefully :)).
Speaking of apartments... I have NO CLUE where I am living yet. My lovely mother is flying all the way down to South America with me to move me in. Our primary objective is to apartment hunt. It's a little stressful, not knowing where I will end up, but I have faith it'll all work out. Worst case, I will stay in a hostel for seven months... but that isn't my first choice (or my second).
If you had asked me a month ago, I would have told you that I was very apprehensive about living in South America, but I believe now that I am ready to go. The nerves are mostly gone, and they are replaced with excitement. My undergraduate career so far has lead to this, and I think I am well prepared. I am sure that I will run into a few roadblocks along the way, which is expected, but I'm confident I can handle them.
And so concludes my first post. I plan on posting two or three times a month, so come back soon to read about my first big adventure, the Patagonia.
Wish me luck,
Savannah
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