It’s been four months since I’ve been back on American soil. While most days since have been like any other, there are a few that have been slightly more difficult. After studying abroad in Southern France for nearly 4 months, the idea of coming home was terrifying. I didn’t know what to expect, how I would adjust back, or even worse, would I adjust back to home life? Big surprise, coming back home was totally normal and studying abroad honestly felt like a really long dream. Summer flew by as it always does and before I knew it I was packing up and driving back to Lincoln to finish my final semester at school. When I moved back to Lincoln, that’s when it hit me. I’m not studying across the world. I’m not surrounded by other overly excited, open-minded, ready for anything American students and I’m certainly not surrounded by the French. I recently spoke with one of my good friends that also studied abroad for the semester down in Italy and we both had to agree, this is where the adjustment happens. To be quite honest, I’m not too sure why. I’m not too sure why being at home and enjoying summer seemed to be so wonderful and normal and coming back to school seems so… Daunting? Maybe it’s because you’re back to a rigorous routine of class, homework, an attempt at a social life and sleep. You’re no longer in this Fantasyland version of school where your professors take you to the outdoor market to immerse you further in the culture or brings in wines of all different regions to taste. You’re not asking your friends what other country they want to go to next weekend and what weird food we can try for lunch. Everything now is just… Normal. Sigh. But don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with normal. And to be even more honest with you, I was and still am stoked to be back on campus with all my friends and learning more from professors that have already taught me so much. It’s a wonderful take on reality and it’s even more wonderful remembering you kinda lead a glamorous lifestyle while abroad. While I miss eating baguettes daily, my jeans sure don’t and I might miss the culture and the architecture but nothing quite beats the culture at Nebraska. Adjusting can be a challenge, but you’ll never grow if you’re not a little uncomfortable.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UNL chapter.