1. Excitement
This is the pre-departure, departure and the first few weeks stage. You are so ready to leave home and explore this new country with your friends (or meet new people if you're traveling alone). You can't sleep on the flight over because you just want to be there. You're so excited to immerse yourself in a new culture. And let's be honest, the drinking age of 18 is definitely a perk. The first few weeks seem so unreal and it hasn't hit you yet that you're going to be here for a whole semester.
2. Homesickness
It has now hit you. You know you're going to be here for a whole semester and that honestly scares you. You start thinking about how hard it has been (or so you think) to adapt to the culture and sometimes you may even have feelings of regret. The FOMO is real as you see pictures from your first sorority/frat event or mixer. You miss your family and friends and you miss the way things were back in the U.S. You want the time to fly by so you can just go home and be home.
3. Never wanting to leave
Then something changes. You took a trip, met new people, had a great night out and then you suddenly don't want to leave. You start to realize how amazing of a place it is and that nothing compares. It finally feels like home. But sadly, the time you wanted to fly by actually does, even though you wish it would slow down. Spring break passes, and then you only have a little over a month left. April passes, and now it's time for finals. You aren't ready to leave yet because you feel like you just got here.
4. Ready to come home
But then you think about how much you want to see your family. As you board your plane back to the U.S., you are sad to leave. But at the same time, you just want to be home. You're tired and you just want your own bed. You can't wait to see your friends and annoy them to death with your, "Well when I was abroad..." stories.
5. Missing it like crazy
After about a week home, you've done everything you wanted to do when you got back. You saw your friends and family, had a good home cooked meal (or went to your favorite restaurant), saw your dog, caught up on your American TV shows, Netflix-binged and whatever else you wanted to do when you got back. But now, you're tired of the U.S. because nothing will ever compare to your experiences abroad. Your mind always wonders, "When and where will my next trip be?" Too bad you're #broke and have to stay at home.
Your abroad experience has changed you for the better, and it is something you'll never forget. So sit back, relax and enjoy the memories while you can, because trust me, the time flies by!
