The Realities of Studying Abroad

Welcome back to Confessions of a Newfound Traveller. I am your host today (just like every other day) and I am here to talk to you about my penultimate week in Rome… my last full week abroad. As you know by now, I created this blog to share my real experiences with you and give you an inside look into studying abroad (and all the feelings that come with it). So buckle up, because today you will be reading about some of my current emotions toward moving back home next week and finishing this crazy semester abroad. So let's get started.

This week was just, in general, a really great week. On Monday, I toured the Vatican Gardens for an "on-site" class. We got an inside look at the smallest country in the world and, man, it was pretty amazing. As we toured through the gardens, we walked the paths of previous popes and learned more of the Vatican’s two thousands years of history. Being in the gardens was especially wonderful because I was able to enjoy the fresh air and the greenery of the well-kept landscape. Most of the city of Rome, while filled with historic and beautiful architecture, is mostly concrete. Being able to walk through the trees and smell the flowers made me realize how much I miss being in and around nature. So that is one aspect of returning home that I am really excited for. (And of course, I am excited to see my family again!)

Wednesday was another Italian holiday -- Labor Day this time. So, yet again, I had another day off of class. I got hang out with my roommates and enjoy a rainy day in Rome. On Thursday, me and my good friend and travel buddy, Bri, gave a presentation on ABBA for our Music and Society class. Let’s just say that was the best presentation either of us has ever given… we really took a chance on it and, I guess, when all is said and done, that’s the name of the game!😉 We also went out on the town for apéritivo on Thursday night, which was a blast! I would equate Italian apéritivo to an American happy hour with extra buffet food… highly recommend trying it if you find yourself in Italy.

This weekend also happened to be a pretty awesome! Our friend, Ali, from our last block in Copenhagen came to visit and it was fun to be able to show her around the city. We ate great food (and lots of gelato, as per usual), got to catch up, and learned all about her time in London. I think it is safe to say that we all had a pretty great time together this weekend!

Now, on to the nitty-gritty part of this week’s blog… the realities of studying abroad. With t-minus five days before my flight home, I can honestly say that I am excited to go home. Before leaving for this trip, I talked to a lot of study abroad students who said they didn’t want to come home after their semester was finished. I really believe that studying abroad is a completely different experience for everyone. For me, I feel as though I have been able to get the most out of my time abroad by trying new things, learning about new cultures, seeing myself, my country, and the world from a new perspective… and that is something I will always be incredibly thankful for. With one week left, I can honestly say that I have experienced all the good, the stressful, and the amazing aspects of studying abroad and that I am ready to come home... after I finish my finals, of course.

Another thing I have been reflecting on this week is some of my anxieties about returning home. In my Intercultural Communication class I took last semester, we learned that not only is it difficult to travel and adapt to a new culture but it is equally hard (if not harder) to adapt back to your home culture upon re-entry. Before studying abroad, I understood that concept, yet naively figured it wouldn’t happen to me. I also knew there was a common cliché that goes like this... I'm sure you've heard it before: Studying abroad "changes a person". Going back to my belief that everyone’s study abroad experience is different, those differences are most commonly attributed to different goals, preconceived notions, openness to new cultures, ability to deal with uncertainty, etc. Now in all honesty, this semester has made me more independent, resourceful, and open to new opinions, cultures, and new attitudes towards life. I do not think this trip has completely changed me (as in a total 180-flip of in personality), but it has given me life experience, a more encompassing knowledge of the world, new friends, and more respect for people of all cultures -- which I think wholeheartedly can impact a person, their view of the world and their place within it.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am nervous about some aspects of returning home. How will I re-integrate into my friends lives after the minimal contact we've had over the past five months? What will my working relationships be like after not interacting with my co-workers and bosses for an entire semester? How will I fit into my role within my family if I am molded differently now than I once was? In all my preparations for this trip, no one really talked about the difficulties of returning home, so I guess I really don't have the answers yet.

I am choosing to look at these next few weeks of finals, traveling home, and re-integrating as the final part of my study abroad experience. I guess you could say I am used to all the anxiety surrounding traveling and adapting to new cultures, so why not tackle those fears one last time, right?

I hope you enjoy your upcoming week, as I plan on enjoying my last days here in Rome. I am excited to share my last blog post with you next week, so stay tuned!

Until then, this has been your Newfound Traveller,

Olivia

Pictures: a much needed walk through the Vatican Gardens, apéritivo with the ladies, a visit from our friend Ali, the Trevi Fountain at night, and an Evening in Roma.