My World: Study Abroad and Paradigm Shifts

In May I'll be studying abroad as part of the 2013 UCBA Summer British Study Abroad program in Vienna, Prague, and England. On my own, I'll also be spending three days in both Ireland and Amsterdam.
My mom's side of the family is from London, England, and I've been lucky enough to visit there once, sometimes twice a year since I was a little kid. I never fully appreciated the ability to visit another country because it was something I grew up doing.
As I prepare to travel to these countries that I've never visited, I find myself filling with wonderment and curiosity. I'm excited to be able to visit a place that uses another language and currency and has totally different traditions and customs.
Visiting England, for example, has been important in my outlook on life as a whole because it made me realize how small and isolated what we consider "home" to be. The earth is much bigger and diverse than we realize, and spending just a few days in Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, and Amsterdam will reinforce that in me.
Becoming open minded has been the best gift I have ever given myself. I look forward to the paradigm shifts I know I will encounter, along with the memories I will make with the awesome people in my group.
There is a bit of nervousness, and on the day I leave I'm sure I'll get the butterflies, but that's just part of the ride!