ef gap year: the beginning

in september 2018, i set out on an adventure that changed my life. i had just dropped out of college after 1 semester (woof) and was floating aimlessly through life, back at home and big sad. i needed something new, something to get me back on track. i needed some zest. enter ef, a global travel and education company that had just launched their gap year program. it was as if the universe was packing my bags for me. i selected my modules, passed my interviews, and set out for sfo airport, ready to embark on what i knew would be the best thing i'd ever do. upon arrival in heathrow, i was coralled by neon pink welcome signs along with like 20 other kids - all exuding the same nervous excitement. we hopped on a bus and drove for about an hour through the english countryside until we pulled up in front of a literal castle. was this real life?? we had our first icebreakers and info sessions and then were assigned rooms and given the schedule for the week. i made it! i was actually doing this! it started to sink in during that first night, where we had a masquerade themed welcome dinner complete with feather masks and place cards. as i moseyed back to my room later that evening, i couldn't help but wonder... what would tomorrow bring?