September 12, 2012 at 5:00 AM

As I sit in my window seat on the Boeing 767 en route from New York JFK to London Heathrow, my mind is on overdrive.

It’s 10:30 p.m. and I should be asleep right now because I arrive in London at 9:35 a.m. (4:35 a.m. U.S. time) and have a full day of activities planned. But for right now, I can’t sleep. I’m too preoccupied with my thoughts about what these next few months will be like.

Since first being accepted to the study abroad program I’ve wanted to be a part of since February, I had been keenly aware that this trip would mean that I would living in a country on the other side of the world for a substantial amount of time.

But, it wasn’t until I strapped on my airplane seatbelt and heard the stewardess welcome us onto this British Airways flight that reality truly set in.

Starting tomorrow, I will be citizen of London for three-and-a-half months.

Now, my decision to study abroad wasn’t a difficult one to make.

I have been a huge fan of traveling since I was young and I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel extensively in my 20 short years of life.

It was never a question that I would be studying abroad during my college years. I knew that if it weren’t possible to do, I would find a way. I knew that this opportunity was too great to just pass up.

I came across my program, the Arcadia London Internship Program, and immediately knew it was the perfect fit.

First, I would be traveling to England, which meant no language barrier. This was a crucial detail in my decision-making process.

Second, I would be interning for a company in London. How cool is it to have the opportunity to immerse myself in the British workplace for almost four months? Sign me up!

Now, I know some of you probably think I’m crazy.

Why would someone ever choose to work during his or her time abroad? Don’t they want to save all their free time to travel? Drink? Party? Explore?

I’m different. Although I may be interning three days a week at a digital media agency, I know that I will have time to do all those things.

I know I won’t miss out on anything; I know, because I won’t let myself.

Even though this may be one of the busiest semesters I’ve had yet, it will be one of the best.

And I owe it all to London.