The Final Countdown - 24 Hours

24 hours left... What a crazy realization. The thought of having spent 337 days in Belgium. The thought of leaving my friends and families here. It's all rather overwhelming....

Over the past 48 weeks I have adapted and molded into the culture around me. So I'm going to give a run down on what I've learned during my year abroad:

• It's ok to stand out

• Say what's on your mind and speak up. If you don't, you'll never be able to stand up for yourself

• It's ok to be silent as well

• Family is the most important 

• People aren't who you think they are

• Not everybody is for you. Not everybody wants to see you succeed 

• "Those people" are everywhere 

• My mom was right

• So was my dad... (but shhh don't tell them)

• Friends come and go

• Nobody's cooking compares to Granny's cookin'

• It's ok to move on

• Life is beautiful no matter what the situation

So the time has come, my bags are packed, and my heart is breaking for the second time.