Just yesterday it seemed like you were struggling to pack and fit every single article of clothing you owned into your suitcases, and now you find yourself lounging in a puddle of travel-deficient despair wondering where the time went. For fellow study abroad students alike, it's preposterous to believe that such an overwhelming adventure can be summed up adequately with a mishmash of relatable memories and accurate gif-usage. No matter how many stories we tell or different ways it's explained, studying abroad is an experience that can only be truly understood both those lucky enough to experience it. It's a life-changer, without a doubt... So you've returned home from your tour of the world. You've exhausted your fingers sliding through countless pictures, and your voice has grown hoarse from recounting your travels to family, friends, and yes, even strangers. What's a wanderlust student to do? The answer is obvious: write a standard, relatable study abroad article, duhh.
Only study abroad students will understand—
Here we go.
You've been to two countries, four cities and seven clubs in under a week flat and finally you remember that hmm... maybe you should give a call to your loved ones back home and let them know that you haven't been Taken... So you drop them a line. At 4 AM. Their time. Oops.
As any study abroad (or money-savey traveler, really) knows, a cheap flight is the best flight... right? Spending 20€ on a roundtrip flight to Paris through Ryanair (ah yes, good ole' Ryanair with it's fantastic cabin pressure) is always a good idea, which means that hanging out in airports just became a normal pastime.
You just spent an hour getting hopelessly lost in [insert city here], now you gotta get unlost. Eventually. But first, why not another photo-op? After all, what's traveling without a little bit of tourism (and getting directions from people who don't understand English)?
It's that one country. That one city. That one place that filled you with excitement and wonder and "yeah, I could def live here." Somewhere along your travels you found "the one". That place that your heart holds a particularly special spot for, right next to your pet.
You kept a tally throughout your time abroad of the number of times people said: "Oh you're American. So, uh, who are you voting for?"
With traveling comes pictures, and with pictures comes, the inevitable filtering and posting of them on every multimedia app known to man so that everyone can see what an amazing life you have (I mean, come on. Look where you went). Which begs the dreaded question: how do you pick which photo to Instagram?
You're going into month three abroad when someone asks you how your essay is coming along. You wouldn't know. You can't remember the last time you payed attention in that class... In fact, you can't remember the last time you were in that class...
Whatever, you leave for Spain in three days anyways.
Finding something that reminds you of home— something so inexplicably American— like a random Chipotle in Paris (greatest day of my life)— that it hits you full force. One of two things occurred: 1. You were craving the thing and fell to your knees crying. Or 2. You didn't know you were craving the thing but now you are and you fall to your knees, crying.
It doesn't matter whether you studied in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania or South America— the overwhelming awe that hits as you journey from place to place is mind numbing. You're here, you're doing this, you made it a reality. And it's amazing.
But with the trips of a lifetime comes the stress and strain of your bank account. Then again, if you had a dollar for every time you/a friend complained about the cavern that is now your wallet, you... wouldn't be complaining anymore, would you?
Sadly all good things must come to an end.Just yesterday you were jetting off to an unknown land full of adventure and studying (pfft), excited and so very much alive; ready to see what the world had to offer (and a little nervous, too).
And just like that it's over. You've said your goodbyes to travel buddies and travel alike, and are greeted by a nice slice of reverse culture shock, extreme jet-lag, and loved ones who threaten to flood the airport with their tears (I'm looking at you mom).
Okay, so maybe you missed your bed a little... and your friends... and your pet (ok, you missed your pet a lot)... And maybe after a while everyone gets tired of hearing about your travels (except your pet, of course). The excitement fades— the jet lag, the culture shock (hello Chipotle)... But not the experiences. The memories in all their wanderlust fervor. You know your travels aren't over, and that's why you say "until next time, world". Maybe when you're wallets not bleeding.
