Studying Abroad – Month One

Studying Abroad – Month One

Greetings Friends and Family!

I apologize for not blogging since Ireland, but this first month has been so busy and finding time to blog has been difficult. I've only been here for a month, but it feels like much longer than that; I can truly say that Gaming, Austria has become my home away from home. It truly only took a few days till I was settled in, and now I have come to love the study abroad program.

In all honesty, I was not sure how I would feel about being here, only because it is vastly different from America. I like stability and I've come to gain that in Steubenville. Gaming though? I Was not sure. I know everyone says that they love Europe, but I just thought I might get homesick. A month in though, I've come to really enjoy being here, with an understanding that I'll see my friends and family in a few months. I decided that dwelling on being back home will only take away from this experience, and instead, I should just live in the moment.

What has that moment led me to? So many things.

Austria, and Europe in general, are vastly different from the States, but I've come to accept it, and actually it has been growing on me. I've been given so many opportunities here, and I've really been able to grow.

First we can just look at the places I've been able to go. My traveling started with Salzburg, then Vienna, then Split, Croatia, and most recently Cinque Terre, Italy. Besides these trips, I've been able to do all the trips in the Gaming area, with the caves, the waterfall, the Steel Cross, and Book Mountain. Oh, and don't forget good old creek jumping; can't forget about that. My most recent creek jump was at 1:30 A.M. With the water being extremely high. I call that a success.

Anyways...

I want to get across the point that I feel extremely blessed, and that I truly don't take any of these experiences for granted. With that though, I also want to get across the point that though I have been busy, I've always enjoyed the opportunity for things to slow down. Establishing a prayer life over here seems essential, and the University does a wonderful job of giving the students the opportunity to really have time for it. With the noon hour completely free of classes along with anything beyond 5 P.M., it is very easy to spend time with our Lord.

Time has been the most wonderful thing I have had since being here, even though it has flown by. I have been better able to understand who I am along with who I am called to be. The Lord could have helped me and did help me with this all when I was back on campus, but at the same time, it always appeared harder; I probably just made it harder. Now that I am away from multiple distractions, it has been much easier to just listen.

Growth has definitely been the theme, and the thing I've come to put the most emphasis on. It is just too good of an opportunity not to want to change, to be a better version of yourself.

I honestly love Gaming and I am looking forward to my future trips, including Poland, Rome and Assisi, Medjugorie, and Romania Mission Trip over ten-day. Besides that, I will be looking forward to growing even more.

Thank you for reading this little blog. Understand I pray for you, my friends and family, daily. Take Christ to the world and celebrate his love to all.

Hopefully I will blogging again soon.

God Bless!

“He died for me, so I will live for him.”