EIL Intercultural Learning

Dia Dhaoibh . . . My name is Evelyn Flynn and this year I am the honoured winner of the Argentinian Travel Award. The memory of the application process and interview day are now but a distant memory and the evermore real thought that in a mere 12 hours I will be on my way to another country farther away from home than I will ever be, is creeping into my mind.

Excitement has been the primary emotion occupying my mind since the phonecall to say I had won arrived, only today has that emotion been put in my suitcase and replaced by fear and nervousness ,to hopefully be unpacked again when I arrive. 
At 20 years of age I have never been away from my parents for more than a couple of days and they are certainly finding it difficult to come to terms with not being able to see my physical self , them being so technologically challenged makes them even more worried as they attempt to overcome daunting challenges such as skype and e-mail , and I have run out of time to bring them up to date on 21st century communication!

In all the preparation and with a very long list of things ‘to-do’ it has been helpful to keep nerves at bay but as the to-do list has gotten shorter and slowly but surely the goodbyes are gradually being said those nerves begin to creep in and take over. The mantle-piece in our sitting room has been taken over by cards from friends and family wishing me well on my adventure and I have but a few more short phonecalls and goodbyes to make in the morning before I set off. My sister and Mam will be taking me to the airport and I am not looking forward to what is sure to be an emotional departure.

But tonight as I sit on the floor of my living room surrounded by the incredibly large mess I have created during my packing today I have decided that 23kgs is simply not enough for a girl who packs for every single eventuality and would certainly take the kitchen sink were it not securely attached to the worktop. If things get any worse I will have to start the process of "eenie meenie miney moe" to rid my suitcase of the extra weight and so many unnecessary items.

Never had I even contemplated taking on such as challenge or embarking on such an adventure and never did I think I would be so lucky as to win the opportunity to do so this year and for that I am eternally grateful to EIL for. 
I have no doubt whatsoever that this trip will be a life-changing experience and as eager as I am to get there and get going I am also conscious that I don't want to wish my time there away.

So this is where I must leave it , I hope to catch a few Zzzzz's before I catch my plane tomorrow . . . 
Ye can all look forward to my next blog which will be sure to be filled with many Argentinian adventures.

Oíche Mhaith . . . :)