Final Days

The final stretch of my study abroad was muddled with emotions that maybe differ from what others seem to experience. While others seem to feel motivated and engaged to do all they can with the little time they have left, I felt simply and for lack of a better description, burned out.

Before you leave for study abroad they always show the graph about how you experience the first month of so. It starts out with a big up of excitement, a down of confusion, and a steady increase in adaptation and comfort. What they didn’t mention, however, is the graph of the final stretch. The up in desire for familiarity. The up in cultural irritability. The up in homesickness.

This is not to say I have not enjoyed the end of my time abroad. I got to see Verona, and explore Rome a little bit more. A friend of mine from high school was in town for his study abroad and I got to meet up with him and his friends. Outside of that, however, I have simply felt like I’m done with my experience. It may have been attributed to the fact that I’ve been gone for a month longer than most everyone else. I think recently I came to the realization that being abroad for extended periods just isn’t for everyone. I’ve come to appreciate comfort and familiarity, while others may appreciate the grandeur and excitement of new places and people.

For international business students it proves why this experience is so vital. The classes may be about the same, but the learning you do about yourself as a student and future professional is invaluable. I know I probably won’t work abroad, and I’ve learned in what environments I function the best. You see how other people live, and you get an incredibly first hand insight into different communities and people. That’s something I would not have gotten in Columbia, and I believe it will dictate my career in the future. I will always appreciate that. I may be going home, and I’m happy about that, but I will never regret my time in Rome.  

Verona