Returning home after three to four months abroad is a wonderful feeling, but it is also difficult to fully grasp as you leave behind the friends and experiences you've made in your host country. The moment you arrive home feels suddenly like you never left, as if yesterday you were talking about leaving, and here you are again, a semester of world travel later. Of course you’ve changed, but everything at home is so incredibly the same, a part of you feels like you've been here the whole time, and studying abroad was a distant dream.

Over the next few days I think you start to notice the minute changes that have occurred since you left: any home renovations, changes to the neighborhoods, or new shops in your local town. The most obvious change is the fact that all the leaves are gone and Christmas music is ringing in your ear. A bit different from the summer heat you left behind in early September.

Immediately after you arrive home, I’ve found it hard to not compare everything I see to something back in Scotland. Even if something isn’t remotely similar, it reminds me of something abroad, and immediately, I want to share it with everyone and anyone. I went grocery shopping yesterday and the excitement of seeing similar brands (like Weetabix!) was extremely exciting. Of course there are a lot of Scottish grocery items that I will just never find here, but it’s amazing how much you notice now that you never would have before. For instance, I've never blinked an eye for shortbread, but now seeing it in stores has become the most exciting thing.

It is strange being home when just days ago you were walking the streets of your host country on the other side of the world, but you’ve also undoubtedly missed the comfort and familiarity of home. You’ve come to terms that no one will relate to your exciting revelations when you see anything semi-related to your host country, but you will continue to share it with anyone anyway, because well, you can't help it.

Although you've reached the end of this amazing chapter in your life, you know that all of the amazing memories you made while abroad will always be yours, and you will always be a changed, and better person because of it.