I’m finally off to my adventure. If you’re not exactly sure what I’m going to do, here it is 17 days, 5 countries, 2 Islands, 2 Syrian Refugee camps, and 1 very, very oblivious & aspiring photojournalist.

I have basically spent the last 3 weeks planning this insane trip…and I mean insane when I say it. I know that I’m crazy for this. I know I’m clueless. I have no idea what to expect, I have no language ability besides English and I’m traveling alone.

In these blog posts I’m not going to rant like I am now. Excuse me, I have 2 and a half hours in the airport (thanks dad for your crazy “prepared for anything” schedule) Anyhow, I won’t be boring you. I’ll be documenting my journey, my mistakes and my insane moments of joy when I realize I’m actually doing it.

You may be asking the most important question of journalism. Why? Why risk everything, why spend thousands, why not just go to a beach with your friends for spring break?

The short answer is I care. I find the Syrian refugee crisis insanely important and documenting history through my camera is what I want to do with my life. These moments will be the most important of my young life…all days before I turn 20. I need this documentation as much as it needs me.

As cliche as it is, I want to feel this. I want to come face to face with people who are being rejected from country borders. So yeah, I’ll spend thousands, go through a million airports, lug my gear for 17 days and meet my best friend in Budapest, embracing her after encountering the scariest days of my life. I encourage you to do the same. (Aka join me cause I’m scared as hell).

This is your life, and it’s ending one moment at a time.