Returning Home

After 4 months in Greece, I knew that Greece had given me everything that I wanted, but even still, it was very sad leaving. I met the most wonderful and beautiful people in Greece, and it broke my heart to leave all the friends I had made. Luckily, I decided to transition back into my American life by spending the last two weeks of my trip traveling around Europe. Seeing a variety of European countries lessened the blow of leaving my home away from home. I highly recommend taking advantage of Europe's travel deals.

When I arrived at home, I knew it was just in time. After four months abroad, I needed some time to process my experience, and I was glad to return to the comfort of my home town where everything was familiar. In Europe, I always had to adapt to different things like eating, sleeping, and bathing arrangements. So after that, living back home in America is a piece of cake.

I did experience "reverse culture shock" within the first month of being back. Greece kept me constantly stimulated, and it's just not easy finding the same level of inspiration in your backyard. Seeing the Parthenon, for example - it's a hard act to follow in Kingston. My european travels have led me to expect constant activity, and that expectation makes my academic and professional life more fulfilling.

As ambitious as my personal goals were, all of them were met. While in Greece, I always marveled at how much I was learning. I really wanted to take these lessons with me, because of ease and enjoyment they gave my life. So even still today, I make it a point to think back on how Greece changed me, how it helped me.

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