Studying abroad is a magical and thrilling life experience that should be enjoyed to the fullest. It is a way to expand your world view, your self-awareness, and grow in knowledge as well as confidence. However, like all good things, it will eventually come to an end and you will make the transition from an exciting life overseas to overwhelming responsibility at home. It can be a very emotional process with a lot of ups and downs.
1. You begin your last week ready to take advantage of all the country has to offer.
It may be the last few days that you will spend in your new home, but that doesn't faze you! You will take advantage of every opportunity to see the sights, stuff your face with the local cuisine, and let loose with the locals.
2. You forget that you are still in real school and have finals to take.
Just like every other study abroad student, you have forgotten (or probably just subconsciously denied) that you are still supposed to be learning here. Now that it's the last week, you have papers, tests, and presentations just like every other college peasant back home.
3. You get so stressed that you boldly state that you can't wait to be home.
Considering you probably haven't been doing real homework since you got there, you are so overwhelmed by responsibility that you start to break down a little. Amidst all of the work, you are so downtrodden that all you want to do is go home where you can just lay in bed and have your mom bring takeout home every night.
4. You start to gel even more with your fellow students.
Nothing brings college students together quite like distress and food. As your group braves the emotional turbulence of the last week, you find yourselves starting to realize something truly beautiful. Despite the different personalities and little tiffs, you have become a family.
5. You start to think that you haven't really done a lot in the grand scheme of things.
As you start to cross things off of your bucket list, you start to panic. There are so many things that you haven't done yet! You never went on that trip to Italy or tried that cute little restaurant down the street. You feel like you have wasted your time and that's something you can't get back.
6. You then remember all of the adventures big and small that you had along the way.
It was that moment of realization when I actually yelled at myself for being so stupid. Really, you haven't done anything? Look at the four countries you've gone to. Look at the day trips you've taken. Look at the places you've seen in this city alone. You have done so much in so short a time.
7. You refuse to pack because now you really don't want to leave.
You can say it's laziness, but we all know it's not. Those bags you leave empty in the corner will soon be filled with all of your souvenirs, clothes, and memories of your time abroad. It's okay to not feel ready to pack that all away just yet.
8. The last week goes by way too fast.
Time has this funny way of speeding up when you want it to be slowing down. Even though finals are a pain in the butt, you are surprised to see how quickly the days are flying by.
9. You spend the last few days trying to hold on to all the experiences.
You finally remember that promise you made to yourself where you would take your new country by storm. Balancing schoolwork and adventure has never become so important. You find yourself caring about the most insignificant moments because you know how few you have left.
10. You cry a lot.
I'm not talking a Johnny Depp single tear. I'm talking about heaving sobs in the bathroom, silently crying in class, and mucus coming out of your nose at all hours of the night. You are going through a veritable roller coaster of emotion right now. It's to be expected. Just let it happen.
11. You spend one last night with your new family.
After the craziness of finals is done, there is just one thing left to do: PARTY! It may be one of the most bittersweet events you will ever attend. On the one hand, everyone is happy to have an excuse to be together. It is also a reminder that this is the last day you will see all of these people together in what will probably be forever.
12. You say goodbye to the city one last goodbye before getting on your plane home.
The day you leave will always be the prettiest one, my mom always says. I don't think she had 6:30 a.m. departure for the airport quite in mind. As you make your way to your flight, you take in one last look at the sights around you. You'll spot that one theatre you saw that amazing play in. You'll want to go to your favorite sushi restaurant one last time. Before long, you will arrive at the terminal. You step out of the Uber, full of wisdom and experience. You are ready to go home and keep all of this time in your heart.
You may need some time to process the emotion of it all, but that is absolutely understandable. You gained new friends, new experiences, and new stamps in your passport. You managed to build a life for yourself thousands of miles away from your home. No matter how short a time it was, you now have that experience in your mind and heart forever.
