Grateful for the chance to study abroad, but my heart feels heavy via /r/gratitude

I just got accepted to a program in France and I can’t even put into words how grateful I am. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for years, new country, new culture, new experiences that I know will shape me in ways I can’t even imagine yet.

But at the same time, the closer it gets, the harder it feels to say goodbye to my family. We’re really close, and I’ve never been this far away from them for so long. Every dinner, every little inside joke, even just sitting around in silence together suddenly feels more precious.

I’m trying to hold both things at once: the excitement of starting this new chapter, and the ache of leaving behind the people who feel like home. It’s bittersweet, but I know being able to have both feelings just means I’m lucky, lucky to have a family I’ll miss, and lucky to have this opportunity ahead of me.