Readjusting

I have been back in America for three days and to be completely honest, I feel as though I was able to comfortably slip back into my original way of life. The most shocking thing about readjusting to Midwestern culture is remembering just how awful traffic is, and that I can’t escape it with a well-timed metro. That being said, everyone’s experience will be different.

I had the fortune of taking an afternoon flight straight from Italy to the Southern United States. From there, I had an agonizing seven hour layover before taking a redeye two and half hour flight back home. The timing worked out well because I got to my house around 2 A.M. and went straight to sleep. This helped me adjust to the time difference immediately. 

Months before my departure date, I spoke with my bosses about scheduling my first few days back. I allowed myself a week to recover before jumping into work again. This gave me ample time to unpack and relax before my calendar became jam packed with shifts and responsibilities. Part of me is excited to get back to a semblance of normalcy, but the other part dreads getting bored sinking back into a routine schedule. 

Additionally, while abroad, there were a few hobbies I had to leave behind. Crocheting, sketching, painting, etc. were all activities I didn’t have the materials or financials for. I’m hoping to pick up at least one of these things again before the fall semester starts. Between my work and summer courses, I expect to be really busy. 

Meanwhile, I am so excited to eat food that isn’t just a different form of pasta. During my time in Milan, I didn’t really go out to eat. I relied on my dining hall to feed me because I knew I wanted to spend money on travel, souvenirs, and experiences. My budget had very little room for unnecessary snacking. Yet, I still spent an absurd amount on gelato. 

I’m going to miss the independence and freedom I had in Milan. As someone still under the age of 21, there isn’t much I can do in America without supervision or permission. In Italy though, no one questioned me. It gave me the confidence to move day to day without overthinking or getting too homesick. I could balance responsibility while still going outside of my comfort zone and I didn’t feel anxious about doing so. 

I am glad to be home after four months of nothing but new experiences, though. I learned a lot about myself while abroad, including my inability to be late to anything and my adoration for the metro system. One of my goals was to improve upon my social and communication skills. With the help of my internship and my desire to explore the city I lived in, I was able to speak to new people and form connections that ultimately pushed me to grow as a person. I want to take this newfound knowledge and apply it to my daily life. 

Overall, I am immensely grateful for this opportunity. Studying abroad was a phenomenal experience, and IES Abroad did help me adjust to cultural differences as they arose throughout the semester. As you enter your own study abroad, I hope you can take some of the advice or stories from my blogs and find some recognition or comfort in them. Ultimately, this journey is meant to be uncomfortable. You will run into complications and annoyances while exploring a new country, but the lessons you learn from will outweigh all of the bad.