An unsurprisingly erratic weather pattern clouds Chicago the day I depart for Fortaleza, Brazil - a fitting portrait of the mixed emotions within me. The concerns I have about traveling outside the country encounter a sincere optimism with every item I place in my luggage. You see, this is my first time leaving the United States; being obsessive with how many times I check my list of required materials is not just enough to warrant a diagnosis of OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, but illustrates myself as a true amateur. However, there is an anonymous quote that eases my feverish state: "If we always do what we've always done, we will always be who we've always been". Those fleeing emotions everyone has when deciding a major event, like studying abroad, are indicators of the exact moment you can change your life forever. The clouds overhead part as I approach the airport.