The Eve of My Departure

Mere hours from now, I will set foot on a plane to New York City, and thereby catapult myself irreversibly toward my grand new adventure. Though the prospect of such an event horizon, a looming point of no return, is a little overwhelming, it is easily matched by my anticipation of the journey. I know that after tomorrow, things will never be the same again, and frankly, that's a little scary, but tomorrow marks the beginning of a great experience, an experience that I hope will make me a richer person. While I leave behind my home, my family, my friends, my customs, and even my language, I open my mind to a whole exciting new world in which I can forge new friendships, adopt new customs, and learn a new language. As excited as I am - it's 1:30 AM and I still can't sleep, there are some things I'm still nervous about. Change is simultaneously the most terrifying and the most inevitable experience in a person's life, because every time we turn a new page, we leave an old one behind, extant only in our memories. It is this transience, this impermanence of circumstances that scares me most. I don't worry that I may find it difficult to adapt to a new culture, a new family, or a new language - those are simply challenges to overcome; I worry that I may lose what I have, that a year away from home, immersed in Swiss culture may deteriorate or at least change the dynamics of the relationship between myself and my family and friends. At any rate, I cherish this great new challenge and fantastic opportunity, and am very excited for tomorrow.