Let’s see where to begin..
August 21st, 2019 at 5:15am: I closed the door to the past, opened the door to the future, took a deep breath and stepped off the plane realizing I am walking into the start of a new journey. The amount of emotions that was going through my body was ridiculous. I didn’t know whether to feel sad that I was leaving my loved ones behind, happy that I was going to be able to continue playing basketball and get a masters degree, scared that I was taking on a new country alone, or even regret that maybe I am not physically or mentally ready to do any of this.
With all these thoughts going through my head, there was no turning back. As I walked off the plane, I was greeted with a big hug by one of the Sport Changes Life members, Sam. Something so little, goes a long way. I instantly felt like I was walking into a family. Then Sam took me over to the other 21 scholars waiting in the airport lobby and in that moment I realized there are 21 other people most likely feeling the exact same way as me which means I am not alone anymore. The next 10 days were going to be spent with all of us together training in Belfast, and let me tell you about my day 1 in Belfast. Within the first 12 hours I was already texting my family was homesick. I was instantly second guessing everything. My family told me something that will stick with me for the rest of my life because it changed my life. They said — maybe it won’t workout, but maybe seeing if it does will be the best adventure ever.
September 8th, 2019 at 5pm:
Let me tell you, listening to my families advice was probably the best thing that I ever did. I have been in Ireland for exactly 19 days now and I have already made friendships that will last a lifetime, memories that I will never forget, and have impacted multiple lives of the youth and elders here. I am now located in Galway and it is hands down most beautiful place I have ever been to. I cannot wait to see what this place has in store for me the next 10 months I will be living here. And to whoever is reading this, please take away this. I know there are still going to be harder days that lie ahead as I am still getting used to a whole new country and learning how to adapt to it. I can look at this and be scared, but do you know I find scarier? Allowing fear to stop me from growing, evolving, and progressing. So my advice to you is enjoy whatever journey you stumble upon. There are moments when it is best to quiet our worries and fears. Enjoy the moments, live for today. Embrace, cherish and absorb the time we are given. Take it all in as it comes in rain and shine (if you have ever been to Ireland that is all it does). And lastly, we must have faith in our journey. We may not always think we’re traveling in the right direction, but trust in the fact that you are where you are supposed to be. And because I trusted I was supposed to be here, it lead to the best decision I have ever made. Galway will forever have a piece of my heart. So take me as I am, your new Galway girl.
~Karlee
