International college students out there? You know the drill.
Finals come to an end and it’s time to go home for the summer. Flying abroad to go home is not something everyone can relate to, but if you’re in the same boat as me, you know some of these struggles.
1. Strategically coordinating outfits that will fit in your summer suitcase is tough.
Let’s face it, your whole college wardrobe is not going to fit in the 50-pound bag you’re allowed on the plane. Planning outfits for all weather, that you can re-wear throughout the summer months is a tough one.
2. Arranging acceptable times to call friends according to time zones takes a while to figure out.
I still can’t figure this one out. All I know is that I’ll be happy that I am in the same time zone as my parents so I don’t wake my mom up with FaceTime calls again.
3. The first week of summer will consist of getting over jet lag.
Like any college student, the first thing you plan on doing when you get home is sleep. However, your sleep hours will be all messed up after flying for nine hours across an ocean.
4. You’re excited to be with family so you don’t have to answer the “where are you from?” question.
Your family gets it, and chances are, the community around you gets it. “Where are you from?” is the hardest question to answer for international students, but when you’re home, you don’t have to worry about answering it every time you meet someone new.
5. You know how to navigate the airport like it’s nobody’s business.
Ah, yes. The airport. I would like to classify myself as a professional in this area. Frequent flyers know how to move through the airport as smooth as butter.
6. You’re mentally preparing for the mix of languages that aren’t English you’ll hear.
It starts on the plane and only gets more complicated from there. By the time you’re back in Europe, you’ll be speaking different languages every day.
