Although I’ve only been in the United States for a few days now, I’ve come to realize that there are many things both in Spain and in America that I have taken for granted. I’ve been surprised at the reverse culture shock I’ve experienced since being back in my native country; I had figured that the United States would feel like home, like coming back to a country and a people I understood. Instead, I felt somewhat lost in Logan Airport. All of a sudden, I had the personal space that Spaniards didn’t seem to understand.

There’s not a lot of moments like these in Germany.. or so I’m told. The colors black, yellow, and red are everywhere. The country’s flag flies over balconies, out of car windows, and on the back of people’s bikes. People wear the colors on their shirts, drape the flag over their shoulders or around their waist. There is no escaping the pride this country has for it’s team and the hope it carries for them to win the FIFA World Cup.

Hi, again.

I took a trip to Howth with a group of friends on Thursday. It’s a breathtaking little fishing town with views that hardly seems real. It feels like the blues are bluer here, the greens greener. Everything is alive and breathing. It’s so easy to be happy. I’m feeling fulfilled in ways that I haven’t in a long time, and though I’ve only been here for about a week, I’m already dreading leaving.

Each Spring, IES Abroad takes students to Okinawa!

Okinawa is a beautiful place, and I had a great time learning about Okinawa’s rich history and cultural backgrounds.

So last week on Wednesday I was thinking about how I wanted to go for a run after class. Normally when I do any type of cardio I’m usually jump-roping or swimming, but that Wednesday for some unknown reason I was feeling a run. I had a decent day of classes: Multicultural Berlin from 10:15-11:45 and then German Literature from 12:15-3:45 and about halfway through my literature class I was ready to unwind.

As my second week in Costa Rica comes to a close, I am at my program’s halfway point.  The question is, have I changed?

I am sitting on the couch in my living room watching my newly found (though belated) obsession, Gossip Girl. My bags are in the next room almost completely packed, yet it feels just like any other day of summer vacation. The reality that I will be leaving tomorrow has honestly not hit me. Maybe it’s the 22 hours of travel or the chaos of 3 connecting flights that clouds my comprehension. But despite my inability to wrap my head around it, I will be in Brazil very soon.

It’s been a week since the program ended and I’m sitting at my gate at Seoul Incheon International Airport. Being home is so far yet so far away. I’ve seen a change in the people traveling around me. From Shanghai, all asians. Now, at this gate, I’m seeing more people like me. It’s the sense of familiarity that’s making me anxious.