How does a person know when they are really ready to do something?

Thinking about the experiences ahead, I can't help but wonder if I am ready to start a new chapter of my story. Have I practiced enough Spanish to get by? Can I conquer the fear of messing up in my speech? Will my family like me? Will I have the necessities packed? Is there a sign when the world says, "Yes, Kjerstin, GO"? I have said that even though I don't know what my next step is always going to be, the world will guide me to it. If this is the case, how come leaving is making me so anxious?

A huge part of preparing for Argentina that has been difficult for me to come to terms to is accepting that I am leaving parts of my life behind and putting them on hold for six months. I have learned to be relatively independent from my family - being two states away in Iowa - so that is not as much something I worry about. My family (hopefully) trusts me to make the right decisions and take care of myself and I think the same of them. However, after leaving home, I have created this wonderful life at school where I have friends and responsibilities. I know this may sound so cliché and typical (when I try my hardest to not follow "the norm" and be my own person), but I am going to miss all that I have worked up to create at school - my job, my friends, my relationships with professors, my leadership positions. Just coming to Córdoba for a semester forced me to choose between advancing my life in Iowa and going and doing something different. I don't like giving up things that I want so badly!

How do I solve this fear? People keep telling me that I will be having so much fun, that I will forget how much I miss everything and love what I am doing down in Argentina. Well, that doesn't help me so much right now! I know, I want instant gratification and that seems a little petty. How can I not think about everything I love when all my life will be for the next week and a half is just preparing for my travels? 

 The boys and I at the MS Open in Austin, MN

Something I will miss very much is the B-52s (my college's Ultimate Frisbee team pictured below). I have been voted co-captain for next year as one of the two girls on the team! Great, right? But that's right, I have to wait until halfway through the season to be with my team. As much I will miss the boys, they helped me accept my departure. Last weekend, after finishing a tournament in Minnesota, I had to say good-bye to everyone and I was absolutely dreading it. However, as I gave each teammate a hug, instead of saying good-bye to me, they all told me, "See you later, KJ," or, "See you in the winter, KJ." They didn't say good-bye to me because they know as well as I do that I'll be back. As I am exploring Argentina and improving my language skills, they will still be living their life just as they would with or without me. Of course, a few things might have be different, but otherwise, when the time comes for me to return to the team, I know they will be there for me.

So as I am preparing to leave my home, family, and friends, I will say "see you later" to the people I care about. There is no need to dwell on what I will be missing because I will back and I will be ready to get back into all my various activities. No need to mourn. Even though life may not be the same for me, the world has told me that Argentina is the place I will need to be so I'll let the world take care of me and my life when I get back.

Hello everyone! For the readers who aren't familiar with who I am, my name is Kjerstin, a community sociology and Spanish double major. I am preparing myself for a dynamic change as I will immerse myself into the culture and lifestyle of Córdoba, Argentina for six months. I am filled with a cornucopia of emotions - excitement, fear, nerves, and hope. Where will my time in Argentina lead me? Only time can tell.

I feel like I have a unique story that makes me more inclined to travel. I was born in Norway, lived in Texas and Oklahoma shortly, grew up in Colorado, and attend Wartburg College in Iowa. I feel like at a minimum, I have experienced various climates. However, there are other reasons why I feel like I am a born world traveler. My parents are both from the United States - Minnesota and Ohio. However, they met one another while they lived on their own in Norway. My grandpa has been to SIX of the SEVEN continents - the only one left being Australia. I, myself, have traveled to seven countries so far (Norway, Sweden, Puerto Rico, Haiti, St. Martin, Ecuador, and Costa Rica). It's in my blood! I have been attracted to the opportunity to become breathless at beautiful scenery amazed by the various cultures.

 When I started college, I knew that I wanted to travel but I didn't know where. There is an entire world to go to! However, after being influenced by my wonderful advisor (shout out!) to join the Spanish program, I started to reevaluate my options. During my week-long visit to Ecuador during a mission trip, I felt drawn towards South America. In Ecuador, I felt that people were "real." People weren't constantly worried about checking their cell phone every three minutes or finding the computer to update their Facebook status. What was really important was living. "Living" involved appreciating the beauty of their country and always looking out for the family. I want that. I want to be able to "disconnect" from everything that fights for my attention. I want to take the opportunity to just focus on what is happening now and being able to appreciate each of those moments. That is, in my eyes, how life can be muy rica. Therefore, my quest for living my life began.

 

*The photo above is from my mission trip to Ecuador in 2008 with my church. Pictured is my group from Bethany Lutheran Church as well as the adorable kids who we worked with throughout the week.

I keep telling myself that 2012 is the year of adventure for me. There are going to be so many changes. Even though I feel like I have a good understanding of my surroundings right now, I am aware that as I struggle to grow while speaking a different language and living in una cultura extranjera, I will not come back the same person. Will this be what I need to finally know what direction I want to take my life and what type of career I want? Will I learn more about myself and what I find important? Join my in the adventure of a life time - COMING SOON TO THEATERS, JULY 3RD, 2012.