After having spent a semester in London, I anticipated that coming back to campus would present various challenges. I knew that adjusting would take some time and a month later, I am just starting to feel as if the process of adjusting is coming to an end. After reflecting on my semester thus far, I am confident that I can provide a few words of wisdom for those returning to campus after study abroad…
Accept that you may have changed and make adjustments
My semester in London was extremely different from any semester I’ve had at Wake; for instance, in London, I was practically traveling to other countries every weekend. I was living with only one other girl, so I learned to be very independent, creating these plans for myself. I enjoyed being on the go constantly and was never restless with my surroundings. So, when I got to campus, I soon realized that I now desired more sources of adventure. I have learned, in the past month, that I can do this by trying out new things in the area, going to different types of events on campus, and spending time in different places. If your lifestyle changed, it might not be possible for you to live the exact same way you had before; be okay with making certain adjustments that allow you to thrive.
Share your experiences with others
It definitely might feel like a sudden transition- you might not feel like you are ready to let go of your time abroad. You don’t have to! If you feel like you are out of the loop, this is okay, and you are not the only person experiencing this. If your friends went abroad elsewhere, make time to catch up, reconnect and exchange stories. This is a great way to allow your memories to live and to feel more connected with your friends. If you have friends who did not go abroad, you can also take time to learn about their semester; they might be feeling left out of the abroad talk, so have conversations about your semesters but don’t dominate the conversation. Encourage them to share as well.
Have patience and be kind to yourself
I don’t think people realize the toll that all these changes have on our bodies. Personally, stress comes out in very clear, physical ways- I’ll get stomach aches, have trouble sleeping, or literally feel like my head is going to explode. Throughout my experience returning to America and my college campus, I frequently noticed that I was getting anxious or overwhelmed but initially had trouble understanding the cause. I realized that there was no one reason for my stress. My body was simply responding to the changes that were occurring in my world. I now understand that it’s a process that cannot be rushed; in order to get back into the swing of everyday life here, I had to allow myself time. Additionally, I had to keep reminding myself that this was completely normal.
Don’t forget your memories
Oddly, it can feel as though your time abroad barely happened and that it slowly starts to leave your memory. I think the time spent abroad is very special and unique to everyone, which is why it’s important to hold on to your experiences. For example, one of my friends who studied in Venice created photo albums with her adventures from all over Europe; this is her way of holding onto the experience. I sometimes write about some of the highlights of my time- this way I don’t have to let go completely and I can basically travel back to Europe whenever I want.