Before I left for Barcelona, I wrote an article about this whole concept of culture shock. I honestly never experienced it and found that life abroad came together hassle-free for me. I have officially been home in the good ol’ USA for almost 4 months. I am definitely having a more difficult time re-acclimating to the American way of life. This would be a dilemma I’d like to call reverse culture shock.
I won’t lie – I love being back on campus with my friends, family, DOG, and the ability to do “American things” (for example, as I write this, the Grey’s Anatomy season premiere starts in 2 hrs 7 mins, not that I’m counting or anything!). Oh but the things I would do to get on a plane and head back overseas. Here is a mini-rundown of a few things that just cannot quite compare in the USA:
I am so lazy when I’m in America.
I loved walking everywhere in Europe. I could see things, get lost, explore… now I find myself contemplating whether to drive to class if the weather even looks somewhat suspicious. I interned in NYC this summer and while I did walk a ton there, it was because I was running a million intern duties, so I’m not quite sure that counts as the same!
Rick’s is no Barcelona nightclub.
I hate to break it to all of you Rick’s fans out there, but after returning from Barcelona (arguably the craziest city in the world), all future clubs will never live up to your nightlife standards.
Four weeks into school and I’ve already begun to lose my laid-back attitude.
Somehow I was shockingly “chilled out” the entire time abroad. Schoolwork, resumes and future plans, and any mishaps (like the day my cell phone got stolen) simply did not faze me. The culture is extremely different than the crazy, work-obsessed, over-achieving dynamic in the USA.
Could I just bring all my friends back to Michigan with me?
I miss all the people I met abroad… my roommate, friends, RA, the “entertainment crew” at the all-inclusive resort in Tenerife, the super hot man in the gelato shop in Florence–basically everyone! I cannot imagine if I had never met these people and would do anything to repeat the experience.
Europe is so much prettier than America.
I’m not trying to sound like a hater, and there are definitely many beautiful places in the USA, but living in an absolutely gorgeous city for 4 months, surrounded by mountains, the beach, and unique architecture, cannot even compare.
Living next to a grocery store is probably the most convenient thing ever.
Maybe I’m weird, but I really enjoy grocery shopping. I’m one of those people who cannot figure out how much food is enough for one person, and it stresses me out! In Barcelona, my next-door neighbor was the market. I was in there probably 4 times a week for at least one item. Now I will go two weeks without hitting up Kroger just because I’m too lazy to drive 5 minutes over there.
Adventure, travel, and loving life.
I have never been happier than when I was abroad. I loved the excitement of living in a new and foreign city, each day finding something I hadn’t seen before. I met amazing people from all over the country and the world. Last-minute trips made me feel adventurous and realize just how many places I still need to see in my lifetime. It was unreal, and I am positive my time abroad is not over yet.
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