This time of year, our campuses are abuzz with students returning from a semester abroad, reconnecting with friends and trying to put into words what they experienced during their time away from CSB/SJU. As one of these students, I was lucky enough to spend my fall months with 28 awesome and hilarious Bennies and Johnnies in Galway, Ireland.
I have been a part of many conversations about studying abroad and how it feels to be home. Often, these conversations eventually drift away from the topic of what an amazing experience being abroad was to how “depressing” it is to be back in Minnesota. While it at times feels like St. Joe and Collegeville will forever pale in comparison to wherever we spent our semester abroad, I think it is important to remember the things we love about the place we live in at the present moment instead of dwelling too long on the past. We all have encountered those individuals who have been back for multiple semesters and still cannot seem to move on from the glory days of their thrilling, exotic travel experience.
For those of us who just recently returned home, the memories and stories of our time abroad are still very fresh and worthy of sharing, but I urge my fellow returnees to embrace the good things we have right here. Even if I might deny it after the fact, there were plenty of things I missed during my time away from CSB/SJU, as I am sure others did as well, such as reliable hot showers, free laundry, Pandora, Netflix, and family and friends. Oh, and of course Chipotle. There was one long bus ride mid-way through the semester when I think all 29 of the students on my program were simultaneously craving Chipotle, and it was a painful experience. However, it is hard to remember these things I missed as sleet is falling outside and I am avoiding a pile of homework by clicking through the photos from my trip on Facebook, already overcome with nostalgia.
So how do I plan on dealing with the post-study-abroad blues? I must realize that just because I am home does not mean the adventure is over. What makes studying abroad great is the attitude most people have while they are there: living each day to the fullest and taking advantage of every new experience. If I can keep that same attitude now that I am back, I might find a little more exhilaration in my everyday life. The remainder of my college experience has the potential to be a pretty great adventure if I choose to make it one.