Fresh from my study abroad experience in Seville, Spain, I can tell you that there are people that live in alternative ways than compared to much of the United States population. Experiencing culture shock in a foreign country is predictable, and should be assumed by travelers exposed to foreign lands. However, I am not here to tell you the story of my culture shock in Spain, Morocco, or Germany. No, I am here to discuss the culture shock of coming home.

Living four months in Spain, you become accustomed to a certain way of life. The food, people, and social experiences differ greatly from those in America. Right off the plane in Boston, I was surrounded by heavy security and a long, drawn-out screening processes. While there was security in the Seville Airport, there weren't such extensive searches and questions. I almost felt violated. Knowing that it was all for my (and my country's) safety, I just shook it off.

I was greeted by my mom at the airport, and she then took me to my favorite restaurant for some wings and fries. I had been craving buffalo wings since day one in Spain. When the food is placed in front of me, my mouth is watering. I’m so excited to take that first bite. I bring the wings to my mouth, and ... I felt completely dissatisfied. I instantly missed Spanish tapas. Warm, cheesy croquettes and thin-sliced jamón. I try to stomach my fries and it's a no-go. Who knew that ketchup could taste so different? I am turned off from many foods I use to enjoy before my Spain trip. Food in Spain was fresh, and groceries were bought daily, not monthly. To this day, I miss eating bread with every single meal and eating fried eggs on top of my salads and veggies.

I’m thankful for winter break. It gave me some time to ease back into the reality of the American lifestyle. Here we eat lunch at noon, while in Spain, we ate lunch at three o’clock. Christmas decorations fill stores and the freezing cold temperatures make me miss the warm, crisp, Spanish sun. I find myself speaking Spanish in the most awkward and inappropriate times. You tell me a shocking story and instead of asking, “Why would they do that?” or, “Why would that happen?” I reply with: “¿Por qué?"

The Spanish believe that being overly polite is rude. To apologize on a crowded metro for bumping into someone is unnecessary. Thanking your host mother for feeding you is weird. It’s her duty––there is no need to give thanks. The normal friendly greetings of strangers on the street, like staring at people and smiling, and make eye contact is weird here and leads boys to believe you are interested in them. It appears that I have become an unapologetic, ungrateful, antisocial person. No longer do I hold doors open for others, and feel oddly uncomfortable when others are polite to me. I have no time for the unnecessary interactions and forced kindness of acquaintances. So, I apologize for not saying thank you for the time you opened the door for me, or not apologizing when I accidentally hit you in the hallway on my way to class.

I can list on and on about all the things I was free to do in Spain. Have a drink with dinner, stay out till the early morning, walk around a beautiful city filled with so much history at midnight. Now I’m trapped on a cold, small campus, where food is served buffet style and I’m too young to even think about going out dancing. Not all the transitions are bad, though. My family is close to me now. I’ll take a two-hour drive over a nine-hour flight home. Everyone speaks English here, and I don’t feel lost in a foreign country. I don’t need a physical map in hand to get anywhere in the city when my phone has service and I can use a GPS. Being surrounded by college students with similar backgrounds I know they can relate to my everyday problems, and help me brainstorm solutions.

There are many things I had to give up and change when coming home. I can’t eat buffalo wings like I used to, and I crave bread every day. Spanish pours out of my mouth when I’m not paying attention. I am not always courteous and polite. There are times when I miss the freedom and excitement of nightlife, but there’s one thing I can say. All the culture shock of being home is worth having family close, and being back in a country I love!