Studying Abroad: Lessons In Wanderlust | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Studying Abroad: Lessons In Wanderlust

Because it's not uncommon to feel a little lost after the 'travel bug' has not only bitten you, but swallowed you whole.

16
Studying Abroad: Lessons In Wanderlust
Megan Theodore

Just like that one person that seems to never leave your mind, the longing you're left with after studying abroad can certainly seem all-consuming. Some days are harder than others, especially when you're rolling out of bed for work at 6am and Timehop greets you with nostalgic photos, back when you were frolicking next to Big Ben.

About a year ago, I set off to explore the world. My feet landed on the ground of London, England, but they brought me on so many adventures in the next 5 months, leading my head and my heart to grow and fall in love with all of the most beautiful places.

Readjusting to your old culture after adapting to a new one will probably be hard. And that's okay. Something that may help ease the transition is finding a few friends to talk to who have been through the same thing. Though it may seem like too simplistic of a solution for your longing heart, finding others who are still adapting and have gone through all these changes too is a huge relief. I have a small group of friends who will collectively sigh or let out a sad 'ughhhh' any time Europe is mentioned because we all miss it so dearly. Cynically, misery loves company. However, this same friend group is planning a 'Study Abroad Party' where everyone brings food and drinks from the country that they studied in and we all celebrate the different cultures we were fortunate to get to know.

If none of your friends seem to understand why you can't stop talking about the wine you drank in front of the Eiffel Tower or that time you climbed a mountain in Switzerland, do some research on the clubs your campus offers! There's bound to be a cultural club, a program that allows you to connect with other students who have studied abroad, or even an opportunity to advise other students who are looking to study abroad.

Chances are, if you can't go a day without daydreaming about the time you spent wandering the European streets or beaming at all of the different accents surrounding you, the travel bug you caught isn't going anywhere. That's the toll it takes to be an adventurer: each trip you take only feeds your dreams and you're always left wanting more.

You're constantly grasping for any reason to talk about your adventures: how can you casually slip the time that you dangled your feet off of the Cliffs of Moher into a conversation that started with "how is your day"? After having lived through a time where your biggest concern was planning your next excursion, your independence was stronger than ever, and you created a whole new life for yourself in this new magical place, returning to reality can be daunting.

So when you find yourself not only missing the people you bonded with whilst studying abroad but the breathtaking places and sense of adventure, here are a few temporary solutions: blast 'Sleep On The Floor' by The Lumineers, make a list of the places you want to visit next, roadtrip somewhere beautiful, and keep working hard and saving anything you can for your next big adventure.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

2612
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

17114
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3677
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments