So, you studied abroad. You may have learned a new language, maybe not; either way, you returned home with the perspective of a different way of life. You opened yourself up to new knowledge, new people, and a new culture, and you’re a much better human being because of it. You probably had one of the best times of your life and made memories that you’ll cherish forever. But return is inevitable, so here’s what happens when you finally have to come back to face reality.

1. Reverse culture shock.

As soon as you get back to the good ole’ U.S. of A. you can’t help but compare everything to your study abroad country. From grocery shopping to city drivers to nightlife, you view America’s way of life much more critically and pay more attention to simple things you never saw before. This is because you see everything through the lens of your new experiences, and have become used to doing even day-to-day things differently than you did them back home.

2. Withdrawal.

Now that you’ve been back in the country for a few days, you probably start to go into a withdrawal stage: you can’t believe the best summer (or semester) of your life is already over. You think back to your first days in the program, and it seems like it was just yesterday. How could time have passed by so fast? Inconceivable.

3. Depression.

After withdrawal comes the post-study abroad depression. The truth has finally set in that your time abroad is over. You start to reminisce on the best memories and look through your photos to relive the good times. You read through your travel journal and laugh out loud at some of the stupid shit you did, but hey–what happens abroad, stays abroad.

4. No one is as interested in your stories as you want them to be.

Perhaps the most disappointing part about returning home from time abroad is talking to your friends and family about it. You have countless amazing stories and memories and you want to tell every single one to whoever will listen. The problem is that your friends and family might not be as into hearing to them as you are into telling them. Usually they will ask one simple question of “How was your summer?” (which obviously can never be completely answered with one sentence), and that’s it. And you, being the modest human that you are, don’t want to make them jealous of your kick-ass trip so you respond a simple and non-assuming “It was great!”

5. You feel empty without your study abroad group.

There’s something about going abroad and being in a different country with so much unfamiliarity that makes people come together and form bonds stronger than normal. You had your squad who did everything together, all the time, so you have countless memories and inside jokes together. Only, now, you all probably went your separate ways to different schools, which means your phone is constantly blowing up with group chats and Snapchats from them. Also, none of your other friends understand any of the inside jokes you and your study abroad squad have been using all summer, so you have to be a little more careful about your speech.

6. Social Media relapse depression.

Not only are you in a real depression because the best couple months of your life are over, but now you have to suffer social media depression, where you feel physical aching in your chest whenever a study abroad friend tags your IG’s/Facebook. At about this time, everyone has come to terms with their depression and is attempting to climb out of the hole. This is when photos of the trip begin to flood Facebook, and you’ll like every single one no matter how much it pains you.