The Highs and Lows

I’m about two months, the half waypoint, and hit a rough patch/feel like I’m at low point of my study abroad experience. I have had an unbelievable time here so far with lots of highs but now it’s time for me to face the lows. I’m at a tough middle spot where I’m so excited to continue my incredible experiences here but at the same time wouldn’t mind being home. I think the homesickness is really starting to kick in with the realization I have two months down but two to go. I don’t want to be one to complain while being abroad in one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world but there is some slight negativity being experienced. I apologize for this being a negative post and I will try to cheer things up at the end, it is just these experiences are part of my abroad moment weather they are positive or not.

To start off I just generally miss my family, my friends, my boyfriend and of course my pets. The billions of cute water dogs (sea lions) don’t help the missing my pets case at all. My family came to visit this past week and it’s been an emotional roller coaster. Of course I was super happy they were here, then they leave and the harsh reality hits I have two more months till I can see them again. I have been having a rough time with the food here as well. I recently have been getting pretty sick from things I eat. I am not really sure exactly what is going on but majority of the time two minutes after eating my meal I don’t feel too good. My mom was awesome enough to bring me down a suitcase full of American Candy, Peanut Butter and Fluff and Annie’s White Cheddar Mac and Cheese that I can eat. I have been chowing down on all the food she brought but some part of me is worried I am not going to finish all of it before I have to leave in 2 months. I am really trying to not bring any major food items back home, any toiletries and just unnecessary items that take up space especially since I bought so many souvenirs.

I am almost done with my third module of classes and then Spring Break Starts where we go Island Hopping. I am sure the excitement of that mini trip will get me back into the swing of things; I just know its okay to be sad sometimes. Studying Abroad is an amazing experience but I know it’s going to be full of ups and downs. I’m hanging in there, my friends, the marine life and the once in a lifetime experiences are what keeping me going.