Two Days 'til Takeoff

As an Anthropology major, it took me a long time to figure out what I was passionate about, besides the fact that knew I wanted to travel and help people.  It wasn't until I read the incredible book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof that I realized I was inspired by the stories of women who were able to break free from their everyday struggles to make a difference in their community, but also saddened by the many stories of women and girls who are not able to break free and who suffer everyday simply because of their gender.  I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to go to Nepal and work on a women's empowerment project, and more specifically focusing on anti-trafficking efforts.  Human slavery is one of the most unsettling and unacceptable issues of our time and though it is daunting, I am so excited to be able to volunteer for a cause that I am passionate about and to take that passion out of the classroom and into the real world.
I leave for my trip in less than two days, and though I can't stop thinking about how awesome it is that I am fulfilling my dream to travel and make a difference I am also thinking about all the friends and family I am leaving behind.  With butterflies in my stomach, I attempt to suppress my nerves, and take off to my new home for the next 12 weeks.