Tomorrow I’ll be taking my first step on the American continent; a small (invisible) step for mankind, one big step for me. The trip goes under the name ‘Your Global Exploration’, and is arranged by Lancaster University Students’ Union at the beginning of the Easter vacation. I’ll be traveling with a group of other students from the Management School and the Departments of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, to Boston and New York, taking advantage of the contacts Lancaster University has to offer as a global university. Yes, it does not get much better than that.

I have never been presented with so many opportunities as I do here at Lancaster University. I remember being overwhelmed by this the first term, but at the same time I see how a great thing it is, that I get the chance to try basically anything I could dream of. This opportunity was one of those that just lit up. Straight away I knew; I needed to get on this trip. This is an amazing opportunity for me as a first year student, the chance to get real life insight and experience within my academic department to enhance my academic experience in the company of fellow students. I’m excited to experience the country, the people and the cultures(s) (food, shopping, and the list goes on). Even just going to a place like New York, which you so many times have seen on the screen, it seems unreal. It’s like when you meet a celebrity on the streets and you’re reminded that they live amongst us. Now I get to see and make up my own opinion about the city and all that comes with it.

I have been on a similar academic related trip before, to Brussels. I remember how inspired I was, how it fuelled me; gave me further insight into business life, international companies, and made me realise the importance of communication and connections (international network) across borders. The insight I gained back then also helped me with making decisions regarding my choice of future studies and carrier. This is what I expect this trip will do to, that it will let me peek into the world of business people and their businesses. I can already picture myself, all excited and bubbly after returning to Lancaster. (Hopefully the buzz will energize me through summer term revision and exams.) Before I’d think: yes, I might go to the US some time during my lifetime, but most likely no time in the near future. Mostly because of the expenses like the flight and the shortage in nulls displayed on my bank account, but the fact that the trip is sponsored (by Santander) changes the whole picture. It makes this an affordable trip, not forcing me to live on oats for the next year.

Packing and planning is to some extent a necessary phase to every trip. I started the day before; not my best idea so far. Because I leave straight from Lancaster Uni, there’s certain things that’s just gonna be more of a hassle than usual. Had I planned a bit more in advance the chances for a functioning luggage scale and money saved on a cabin bag, would probably been increased. Still the hassle is worth it. When the biggest downside is living in the unknown of how many kilos I can add to my suitcase on the way back from the US, without crossing the 23kg limit, I would say I’m doing all right. Note to self: start packing and planning before the day before. Same rule applies to coursework.

Very much looking forward to these next following days of my very own ‘Your Global Exploration’, and to share these with the group I’m traveling with.

United States of America; here I come!