Have you ever had one of those moments where you knew your life was about to change?

You know those moments: right before you’re about to tell someone the news or post it on Facebook or Twitter, you sit for a few seconds and breathe a heavy but ridiculously excited sigh.

I don’t have those moments often, but it happened about a week or so ago. I’ve recently been accepted to study in Nicaragua for three weeks in June, and I had the biggest smile plastered on my face as I shared the news on Facebook for everyone to see before my physics lab in L.E. Phillips Science Hall.

While I wouldn’t exactly call myself very independent, I am always up for a good adventure. What got me into the traveling bug was going on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage this past winter. Of course, that’s a whole other subject, however it did make me realize if I have these great opportunities literally at my fingertips, why not take advantage of it?

So, after initially missing the deadline back in November and being convinced at a restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas to go for it despite what I thought were hurdles, I finished everything I needed to accomplish with four days to spare before the second deadline of Feb. 2. The few days felt like a whirlwind, but I remember walking out of the Center for International Education breathing a huge sigh of relief.

All I had to do was wait and see if I got accepted.

What’s next

Here’s the thing though: after the initial happiness wore off, I realized exactly how much has to be done before I cross the terminal and board my plane come June. I was in a rush to apply, and now I feel the same rush hitting me again.

Right now, I have four emails in my inbox from a coordinator in the CIE reminding me of the things needed to get done. I need to secure my spot on the trip with a monetary deposit, apply for scholarships, take a survey, and what feels like 50 other things.

Okay, maybe not 50, exactly, but that’s what it seems like. As I prepare for everything, I’m sure I’ll be very  frustrated, confused and have countless doubts about getting on a plane for only the second time in my life. At the same time, the thought of getting to do something others don’t desire to or are too afraid to do is more than enough to keep me focused on taking advantage of this opportunity I may never get again.