Rubles and Ramblings

Rubles and Ramblings

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Leaving for Russia! (Sorry Gramma)

Hello friends and family! Or as the say in Russian, привет (pree-vee-et)! 

With only one week left until the start of my semester in St. Petersburg, Russia, I am finally writing my first post for my travel blog.  If you want to read about all the sights I see and share in my embarrassment over all the awkward mishaps that are bound to happen to a foreigner like me, you've come to the right place! 

For my first official post, I'm going to answer the question you've probably been wondering since reading this..."Why the heck are you going to Russia?!" And trust me, I get this one a lot, especially from my very protective Grandmother (love you!!). 

I've known for a long time I wanted to study abroad at some point during my college experience.  The question was simply where I wanted to go.  So fast forward to my sophomore year at High Point University when it was time to buckle down and start planning my trip.  I knew I did not want to study in a country like France or Italy because of how easily accessible these countries are.  With Western European countries off the table, and my previous travels across Asia, I began to focus on Eastern Europe.  I wanted to study in a place that would challenge me both culturally and lingually.  Somewhere I could look back years later and value the culture shock I went through and everything I learned from it.  I came across HPU's program with St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University and instantly fell in love with the rich architecture and history after a few minutes of googling pictures and quick facts.  It only makes sense I would end up in St. Petersburg, I already had the huge Russian fur hat (which yes I am bringing with me).

So after a bit of convincing my parents, a new pair of winter boots for Christmas, and an English to Russian dictionary, I am ready to begin my adventure.  My first stop is London, England to meet up with my study abroad group, then onto the Motherland!  Goodbye for now...