Ash so thankful to have been here as she begins what it will be like to leave

I've come to the point where I'm starting to think about leaving Cape Town to go back home to Connecticut. I only have just over a month left here and the thought makes me anxious because I don't want to leave the friends who have become family and I don't want to lose the independence I've gained here. 

I've gotten into such a nice routine : wake up, go to the kitchen to make breakfast and coffee, sit on the couch and use the wifi, get ready for my internship, go to my internship, internship, walk to the mini-bus station to go home, get on the mini-bus, and go home to my family. I can't imagine any other routine that doesn't end my day with going home to the amazing women I live with. The people I'm here with truly have such a special place in my heart...they're definitely "life friends." 

Sometimes we talk about going home to America...but we immediately stop because of how sad the thought is to us. I've also come to know Rondebosch as home...and when we go away on weekend excursions I get "Rondebosch home sick"...I'm going to miss the home I've made here. But, I'm glad everyone goes to the same school because I can't imagine not being able to see/hangout with everyone. 

I have an apartment with Rav for next year and I'm already thinking about the family dinners we're going to have at our place. 

I'm glad I'll be living off campus in my own apartment because I think it'll help me retain the independence I've gained here in Cape Town. Independence may be one of the biggest things I'm afraid to lose when I go back home. I truly feel like an adult here and I absolutely love it. It's making me excited for applying out of state to grad schools because I'll have my own place and I'll be able to "do my thing." 

I didn't think that being abroad would be such a growing experience for me. I'm so thankful to be here.