A summer or semester abroad is an amazing experience. You get to see all kinds of cultures and worlds that are so different from home. It is something I would recommend to everyone. However, there are a few struggles that returnees all experience when they come back home.
1. Your favorite food/restaurants aren't available.
I really miss some of the restaurants and the food that I had almost every day while I was abroad. You just can't get haggis in the US.
2. No one has a cool accent.
No matter where you studied, the accent there is different than yours, and you probably prefer it to American accents. Unfortunately, you don't get to listen to it every day anymore.
3. You miss all of the great people you met.
Studying abroad allows you to meet people from all around the world, but unfortunately they don't come back with you when you have to go home.
4. No public transport.
Unless you live in a big city with a subway system, there is really no public transportation system in the US. You can't just jump on a train and visit a city a few hours away.
5. Wanting to talk about it constantly.
I think (well, I know) that my friends are sick of hearing about my trip, but I just can't stop talking about it.
6. Inability to travel.
I can't just visit a new country on a free weekend. It's enough of a hassle just to leave the city for the weekend.
7. Speaking in the wrong language.
If you spent a significant amount of time in a non-English speaking country, you probably find yourself speaking in that language on accident all the time.
8. Forgetting about sales tax.
Shopping just isn't as fun here anymore with that extra cost tacked on.
9. No one is liking your weekly #tbt.
Refer back to #5. I know you're sick of seeing it but I just can't stop!!
10. Change in climate.
I went from fall weather in Scotland to a hot and humid Wisconsin summer in just a few hours. I was not prepared. The humidity, which I have lived in for 21 years, killed me.
11. Saying strange words.
You may find yourself using expressions that are common in the country where you studies, but earn you weird looks when you say them back home.
12. Drinking age.
I luckily turned 21 while abroad, but I know a lot of people struggle with no longer being able to order drinks with a higher drinking age in the US.
13. Driving.
I was in the UK, where cars drive on the other side of the road. Once I came back to the US, I never had any clue where the cars were coming from and crossing a street takes me longer than it should.
14. Things are too modern.
I know the US has so much rich history, but our country is just a baby compared to Europe/Asia. "Old" in the US is a couple hundred years, while abroad you can see things that have been around for thousands of years.
15. Lack of castles.
Castles are just freaking cool. We should get some.
