There are worse things

Everything is rumbling down

The pace of it

The visibility of it

Rumbling down

Down to the last second

Everyone knows your plans

Weight. Pressure.

Now you have to stick to your guns

You stand at the gate with a backpack and a suitcase

You say your good-byes

Despite your fear of heights, you take the steps

The jacket you wear tells your story

"Exchange Student.

American.

Naive." 

As you flash your documents to the flight attendent and find your seat 

You realize

You get to experience the languages, the cultures, the sunrises

You get to eat the foods, live the traditions, tell your stories

You get to help, teach, advocate

You get to inspire those around you to become worldy 

You managed to postpone college for a year as an exchange student 

There are worse things