My daughter is studying abroad in Italy this semester and i’m panicked

My 20-Yaar-Old Daughter Is Studying abroad in rome. Its an eight-and-half-hour direct Flight from where we live. (That’s the Far Away!).

SINCE She Left Two Weeks Ago, have As asced MySelf Multiple Times, “Why Did I Let Her Go?”

My anxiety wasn’t helped by the fact that “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox“Debt on Hulu JUST A FEW LEGS BAGORE HER DEPARTURE. IT’S A TRUE Story About an American Student Studying Abroad in Italy (YES, in Rome) Who was falsely accused her roommate.

SINCE MY DANGHTER Left the us, i have checked fliffs to rome Multiple Times, Imagining Heroic Rescue Missions, But the Sky-High Price Has Kep with Grounded (Work Intened).

When i saw a Photo from her orientation, I was able to calm down a little. IT LOOKED MORE LIKE A Wedding Reception by a lake than a lecture Hall, and realized she was having an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In that moment, I knew letting her go was the right choice, this if i’m struggling.

This Harder’s Feels than College Drop-off

One of the reasons i thought i could hendle her studying abroad is gcause i’m already used to her being away at Fordham University In New York City, About a Four-Hour Car Ride from Home.

She usually only comes back for Holidays like thanksgiving or school breaks, so i assumed i’d be fine with the distance.

But i didn’t factor in how different it is time with her in a foreign country where she dosesn’t speak the language, with a six-hour time difference (Almost half a day), and the reality that can’t easly get to her if she.

I had to find ways to calm my nerves while she’s away for this semester.

The time zone differing is making this all more difficult

Her day in Italy is Winding Down while Mine is Only Half Begun, which Makes IT tricky to find a good time to check in.

When she was at college in the Same time zone, she usually facetimed with after dinner. Now, we Both KEEP FORGETTING EACH Other’s time. On a recent call, so i told her i have just eateen lunch, she laughed and said, “Oh, i forgot you haven’t finished your day.”

To Help MySelf Adjust, I Started Using The “World Clock“app on my phone. I put rome at the top of the list so i can see her local at a glance of doing mental math time i want to know where or if it is good time to call her.

I’m reminding myself that my anxiety is normal

Before she left, iGnored an email from her Study Abroad Office Becusee i was in denial that she was actually going. Be finally opened, the email was so long it felt more like a novella than a simple guide to copy with the distance.

AS I READ, I CAME ACROSS The “Stages of Transition” and realized I could have the “Gray Zone,” The Stage Wengs First and Face Normal Challenges Adjusting to a Foreign Country. I have realized that my time checking, Constant World, and Dreams About Booking A Heroic Rescue Were Normal. Well, Maybe not the rescue mission, but i didn’t actually buy the ticket, so i’m sort of normal (although my daughter might disagree).

While I WAS WRITING THIS ESSAY, ANOTHER EMAIL ARRIVED FROM THE STUDY ABROAD OFFICE. This one assured with that, Unlike knox, students in their program not Only Return Home Safely but Also Come Back More Mathe, Open-Minded, and With New Personal and professional goals.

At this point, i’ll be happy if she shaimply returns home in one piece. Any Personal Growth is a Bonus. While we’re on the topic of things she shauld bring back from rome, i was mind a valentino dress. But if that’s too much to Ask for, an Italian Cannoli Will Suffice.