Studying abroad is an experience every college student should have, but only a small percentage are actually able to do so. Some are even lucky enough to go abroad multiple times in their college career. It’s wonderful seeing new places and integrating yourself into a different culture, but what people don’t talk about is the less glamorous side: coming back to home campus and experiencing reverse homesickness.
In the last two weeks of my semester abroad in London, I wanted nothing more than to be home in my own bed and have my mom cook for me. Studying for finals in a different country felt even more difficult than it did in New York, and I was counting down the days until I would be back with my family. Of course, the first at night home was wonderful: my mom had made my favorite dish for dinner and I was able to sleep in the comfort of my own home. However, the month of winter break went by quickly and I was back in New York for spring semester before I knew it.
As someone who loves New York more than anything, I should have been delighted to return to school. But there was something off. The lounge I used to study in my freshman year was undergoing renovation, my friends now had other friend groups, there were many unfamiliar faces in the Stern building, and many of the upperclassmen I had looked up to were no longer there. The subways were gross and littered compared to the London Underground and the winds were at freezing temperatures instead of a mild 40 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
How could the place I had wanted to return to so badly have suddenly become unfamiliar and leave me feeling out of place? And anytime I would bring up studying abroad, it suddenly felt like nobody wanted to listen to my stories or see pictures. How was I going to share such an amazing experience with the people around me?
In the last week, I have found myself struggling for ways to get back into the groove of things and put all of last semester into words. A few things proved to be useful in eliminating this feeling of “reverse homesickness.”
Visiting restaurants which I would go to frequently last year was a great way to bring back memories of freshman year and feel at home once more. (This Guac burger from by Chloe is amazing.)
Going for a run was a healthy way to take in a major part of the city all at once and also burn off those calories from meals outside!
Taking aesthetic pictures at every chance I got helped me remember why I love New York so much.
And of course, reuniting with old friends made me feel back at home.
There are multiple ways to deal with coming back from an entire semester abroad, and each person needs to find the way that works for them. Try doing the things you loved about your last semester at home campus and spend time with old friends. Once work picks up again, you’ll be feeling at home in no time. Adjusting to school again after being in a different country for so long is disorienting, but it’s all a part of the unique study abroad experience which every college student should have the privilege to participate in.
