We’re currently having a technical issue with course information displaying properly on our program webpages. We're sorry for the inconvenience and hope to have this fixed ASAP!

Preparing for the Return Home

Analise Ober
July 17, 2016

Coming up on my final week in London, I’ve been reflecting on the whole experience. It has been wonderful and fulfilling. I am so happy I made the decision to study abroad here. I still feel as if I have seen so much and yet barely scratched the surface. For me, home is wherever I happen to be. So for the last month and half, London has been home. Though my home in Minnesota also has some benefits as well, and I have been missing them dearly.

Things I miss about Minnesota:

  • I miss my dog. If I could have my dog here in London, I would probably never leave.  
  • I miss having my own room and bathroom. My roommate is a wonderful human being, but I still miss having my own space.
  • I miss having my car and knowing the area, though I’ve learned my way around London pretty well.
  • I miss my friends and being on the same time zone as them, so we can actually talk.
  • I miss my family, as much as I like to believe I can do things without them, it is still nice knowing they have my back.
  • I miss being lazy and not feeling guilty about it. There is so much to do in London and so little time that being lazy seems like a complete waste of a once in a lifetime trip.
  • I miss all of these things the most. In a way, reminding myself what is at home is another way to emotionally prepare myself to leave London. The time has gone so fast, and I wonder if I will ever be back. Still, it will be nice to be home for a bit before I head back to Washington for school. I will give my dad a big hug. I will cuddle with my dog. I will hang out and laugh with friends I haven’t seen in ages. Transitioning back to Minnesota life might be a little tough at first, but eventually I will remember what was so important about home. It has always remained my base no matter where I was in the world, and I am grateful to always have somewhere and someone to come back to.   

While returning to a sense of normalcy might seem odd after having such an adventure, I remember Nelson Mandela’s quote: “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

More Blogs From This Author

View All Blogs

Analise Ober

<p>My name is Analise Ober, and I am a junior at University of Puget Sound studying Sociology and English. I am from Minnesota and enjoy hockey, being on the lake, and (of course!) writing. This is my first trip to London, and I hope to experience a lot here and can&rsquo;t wait to share it with you.&nbsp;</p>

Destination:
Term:
2016 Summer 1, 2016 Summer 2
Home University:
University of Puget Sound
Major:
English
Sociology
Explore Blogs