Going back to school after being abroad can be a real reverse culture shock. I went from clubbing in Eastern Europe until 4 am to having the bars close at 1 am in the sleepy town of Orono, Maine. There are many things that I have experienced returning from abroad which are both good and bad. Here are eight stages of returning back to school after study abroad.
1. Reuniting with friends
One of the most awesome parts of coming back, seeing those that you missed for months!
2. Going back to reality
Maybe you only had to earn passing grades in your classes abroad, you didn't do much schoolwork, you didn't have a job, or all you did was party. Now, you're back to reality.
3. Having obligations
You have to once again participate in the clubs and campus organizations that you took a semester off from.
4. Working again
You probably have to start working again to make up for all the spending and traveling that you did abroad.
5. Doing everything fun that you missed out on while abroad!
This can include Halloween, other holidays celebrated at your school, Homecoming, concerts, and weekends out with friends.
6. Missing things about your host school
As much as you love being back home at your college, you probably miss something about your host school, like the ability to travel cheaply, the nights out, the friends you made, the classes, or even the food abroad.
7. Telling too many stories about studying abroad
After a while, your friends and people around you will probably start to get tired of hearing your endless amazing stories about traveling. While they are probably happy for you, it might be a little too much. It is hard to realize upon coming back that things still went on without you there and that studying abroad and traveling also isn't interesting to everyone.
8. Finally getting reacquainted with life back home
It may take a while, but eventually you will get readjusted to life back home and won't feel like an outsider retuning back anymore. You finally remember little things about your campus, you're back into the swing of things in your classes, and it's almost like you never left.
