They’re back! The so-called ‘Abroad Juniors’ have returned from their foreign escapades armed with more confidence, hundreds of pictures and a Euro-chic wardrobe! The transition from the exotic, vibrant cities of Europe and South America to modest Winston-Salem isn’t easy, as many of us know. But collegiettes™ who spent the last four months overseas will tell you that they wouldn’t trade that semester for the world.
Ellie Baldini: Florence, Italy
Ciao, ciao, collegiettes™! Wow, it feels good to say that after being away from Italy and the Italian language for (gasp!) a whole month already. And while I’ll admit, I’m desperately missing the charming Tuscan landscape and to-die-for gnocchi, being back in the good ole’ USA, particularly Wake Forest, is feeling pretty good.
Of course, returning from a semester spent in the bellisima Firenze doesn’t come without its own set of adjustments. Not to state the obvious, but did you guys know the drinking age in Italy is 18? Not being able to walk to my favorite piccolo mercato for some choice vino bianco is, to put it lightly, the pits. And did I mention I’m missing the food? Oh, yeah, I did … not that I don’t love the daily struggle that is attempting to cook for myself … (who would have thought I’d miss the Pit?).
Kristen & I could not get enough of the pasta at this place…note the empty plates!
But enough with the nostalgia. I’m a silver-lining kind of girl, and so in reflecting on my re-adjustment period, I have a few thoughts: everyone knows a semester spent in Europe means amazing nightlife, culture you only dream about and a mini-hiatus from the almost-always sometimes stressful Wake Forest curriculum.
What everyone doesn’t know (unless you happen to be a returning junior, too) is the incredible insight you return with. I know it sounds cliché, but walking around campus these past couple of days, I can honestly say I feel noticeably more mature. I missed my friends from school so much that pointless drama seems … well … pointless. And that annoying 8 a.m. I would have complained about two semesters ago? This time around, I am just reveling in the fact that (for once!) my professor’s first language is English. Of course I am sorely missing the familiarity of Florence (crazy that I know a city an ocean away so well now!). But the familiarity of our beautiful southern campus is pretty fantastic, too. And what’s even better is running into the lovely friends I made in Florence all over the WFU campus! Talks of an abroad reunion get everyone excited, and reminiscing keeps the memories we made fresh in all of our minds.
As if any of us could forget a moment like this!
So, bottom line, collegiettes™? Once you’ve returned from something as truly spectacular as a semester abroad, rejoice in the re-discovery of the familiar and the knowledge that you’ve returned from an experience that has changed you for the better (at least I hope it has!). And that, my friends, is something you’ll never forget.
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Kelly Neubeiser: London, England
It’s been 39 days since I left London, and I still miss it almost every day …
This past semester I had the fortunate experience to study abroad in London, England, through the Boston University internship program. I can confidently and happily affirm that it was, without a doubt, the most rewarding experience of my life.
I worked as an intern for Simon & Schuster, a multi-national publishing company that produces non-fiction, fiction and children’s books. It was the perfect internship for me because I hope to go into publishing upon graduation.
Aside from missing my work abroad, I really just miss the city in general. For some people, the highlight of their abroad experience is all of the international travel. Please do not misunderstand me—I loved the traveling! I visited places that I had only ever heard about, and being exposed to so many beautiful and fascinating destinations has done nothing but good for me. London, however, felt like home, and I was always happy to return after my weekend European escapades.
London is a vibrant, fast-paced city, yet I always felt relaxed and at ease. I loved running through Hyde Park every morning – seeing people playing with their dogs and couples having picnics (I didn’t even feel nauseous from the cuteness). I loved seeing Big Ben and Parliament per usual, as if such landmarks were a casual occurrence. In a word, I was (and still am) obsessed with London. Literally, I was that person who walks around smiling for no reason while you can’t help but think, “Seriously, what is she smiling at? It’s creepy.” Yep, that was me.
So yes, I miss the sights, the culture, the people, etc., but one of the things I miss most about London is the pub scene. The culture of drinking and going out in London is so incredibly different from anything I have ever known. At Wake Forest, it’s all about frat parties in sketchy basements. In London—and Europe in general—it seemed to be much more casual. It was normal for people after work to go to the pub down the street and have a pint or two. I felt much more mature in that respect.
I also can’t get forget to comment on the fashion in Europe. It was kind of a running joke between my friends and I that whenever we bought something in Europe, we would call it “so Euro.” Europe was all about dark colors, leggings as a second skin, oversized sweaters, hats, leather jackets, booties, heels, etc. Call me crazy, but I’d stand out a bit if I tried to habitually rock the Euro look around campus. It’s a shame really, because you kind of feel cool when you dress all Euro and hipster.
I suppose I could go on and on about London, but I really am happy to be back at Wake. I missed my friends a lot, and it’s nice to have more of a routine with classes and meetings. I like being able to go to the grocery store and see brands of food I recognize. It’s also nice not to have to deal with pounds and foreign money … because I was going broke from the exchange rate.
So as I settle back into the busy humdrum of Wake Forest life, classes and actually having real work to do, I can look back at my semester abroad as a great experience and one for which I will forever be grateful.