Reverse Culture Shock

The moment I got in the car with my family at the airport to go home, it felt as if my entire semester in Florence had been a dream. In my jet-lagged daze, I remember quietly asking myself if the past four months had been real or if I had just had imagined them. The ending to my semester in Europe was probably the most sudden ending to anything in my life. For almost five months, living in Europe was my life and in less than 24 hours, I was back to my “normal” life.

Before any student leaves to study abroad, there are countless thoughts swirling through their minds as they wonder what life will be like over these next few months. The mental battle waged between the fear of the unknown and the thrill of adventure penetrates the whole pre-departure process. I know that I personally a multitude of emotions before leaving, but while I was so consumed by thinking about the challenges I would face abroad, I never stopped to think about the challenges I would face when returning home. This is one aspect of a study abroad experience that I think gets overlooked by students until they actually experience it. But the thing is, there is no way to truly prepare someone for it.

I’ve heard various perspectives about reverse culture shock but one that’s been repeated time and again says that when you return from studying abroad, you will have changed dramatically as an individual but everything and everyone back home will have remained the same. I speak from experience when I say it’s a very surreal realization. You return home after so much has happened to you and you can’t quite grasp why it feels like you were out of touch with “reality” for so long. It’s like you just woke up from a one of those very realistic dreams and realize that only a few hours has passed when it felt like days. I recall coming home after four months in Italy and seeing that my town looked exactly the same, the baristas I have come to know at Starbucks were still there, and my room looked just as I had left it. I had missed my family and friends and felt overjoyed to see them again, but it was hard to accept that nothing and no one had truly changed, except me. I was seeing the same things I remembered, but through a very different pair of eyes.

The first few weeks back were very strange to say the least. On the one hand it was easy; I could use English everywhere I went, confidently order a coffee without feeling ignorant, and I no longer had to mentally convert Euros to Dollars. 

On the other hand though, the same things that came back quickly reminded me of what I was missing. Trying to pass myself off as an Italian, casually grabbing gelato after class and living life at a slower, more relaxed pace. But the absence that I felt most was the indescribable feeling of discovery, the distinct rush I felt as I realized that I was experiencing Italy firsthand and that I was actually living on my own as a resident of a foreign country. Pair this with the sense that even when I performed a mundane task, like walking down a city street, I was surrounded by history and culture on a truly magnificent scale, something I had never experienced before. 

Time, as they say, heals all and the initial awkwardness I felt being back home was eventually replaced by old routines taking over like muscle memory. Reality began to fall back into place as I realized that I had responsibilities and priorities to deal with. As I started to resume my daily life, another realization began to sink in. I understood that there was one final, unstated, side of reverse culture shock that could take effect if I wasn’t careful. It’s a subtle development that doesn’t even feel like it’s happening. As I started to remember my life in the States, I was at risk of forgetting my life in Florence. The true challenge of reverse culture shock is not remembering life back home, given enough time that’s an inevitable result. As the pattern of everyday life consumes your attention, the much more difficult challenge will present itself to those who don’t want to forget their time abroad.

I know this sounds like a negative situation, but there is no doubt that this can be spun into something positive. While remembering can be difficult, the word “difficult” is certainly not the same as “impossible”. I have found plenty of ways to keep my time in Italy alive and well in my memory and in my everyday life. And that right there is a very big reward for those who are able to see reverse culture shock in a different light and appreciate the incredible perspective it bestows.

A Final Farewell

Ciao in Italian is both a greeting and a goodbye. It seems only fitting. It feels as if just yesterday I was packing up my suitcase, saying goodbye to my family and boarding a plane bound to this unknown, foreign land that has now completely captivated my heart.

Fast-forward four months: as I write this, it is June 15 and I am watching the city that I’ve grown to love get smaller and smaller as my plane takes off. There are tears rolling down my face as I say goodbye to what was, of course, “the best four months of my life.”

Any one of those worn-out clichés, the ones so often used to describe the life-changing nature of one’s time abroad and the inevitable, yet bitter-sweet departure, would be fitting for this final post. For in many ways, I don’t think I can really put this whole experience into my own words yet, let alone comprehend the enormous effects it has had on me. That’s not to say that I’m unhappy to be journeying back to the States, quite the opposite. For while being abroad is wonderful, an essential aspect of this whole ordeal is coming home, reconnecting with loved ones, and reflecting on time spent gallivanting around Europe.

While thinking about all of my experiences these past four months, I am reminded of a quote from Mr. Bilbo Baggins: “It’s a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to…” I think it’s safe to say that in this sense I failed at keeping my feet while abroad, and I couldn’t be happier for it. From Santorini, Paris and Prague, to Dublin, Edinburgh and Zurich, as well as the countless other amazing cities I got ‘swept off to’ this year, there was almost never a plan, but almost every trip ended up being full of ridiculous adventure and laughter… the way trips should be.

It may take a while to fully understand the ways in which my time abroad changed me; however, I can say with absolute certainty that these past four months have been absolutely extraordinary, and I plan on jumping at the next opportunity to get back to Europe (or anywhere really)… regardless of the fact that I have no idea where I’d get swept off to thereafter.

Study abroad is one of those rare life experiences that truly meets every expectation associated with it. Incredibly, it really is life changing. I got everything I ever could have hoped for, not in the way I planned, but on a surprising and more rewarding scale. I love traveling and embracing other aspects of the world, but physically living in a foreign country gave me insight in reverse: I now appreciate home more than ever.

So all I have left to say is thank you. Thank you study abroad for opening my eyes to see that the world is so much bigger than I ever could have imagined. For helping me grow as a person and get over my fear of asking strangers for directions. For opening my heart to more easily accept other people, and love the ones back home even more. For introducing me to the most amazing friends I am so blessed to have met. For allowing me to endlessly indulge in carbs, wine and gelato galore. For making me realize that I truly don’t need most of what I have to live happily. For helping me travel to places I've only ever dreamed of. But most of all, thank you for giving me the world. My life has been forever changed and I could not be happier.

To my family, friends, and anyone who has been following this blog these past four months, a simple thank you just doesn’t feel like enough. There is no easy way to express the amount of appreciation and thankfulness I have in my heart. But without your constant love, encouragement and support, I would not be where I am today. Grazie millie!

Where did the time go?

A letter I received from my dad the other day left me the sudden realization that my time here is almost up. One month. Just one month. I have reached the point in the semester where there is more time behind me than before me. It's hard to wrap my brain around the fact that there is only a month left until I return to the States. 

You could say it's finally hit me that I am leaving soon. I'm beginning to question myself too much. Have I gone all the places I want to go? Am I using my time wisely? Am I doing well enough in school? Have I learned enough Italian? How am I going to say goodbye to all the friends I have made here? How am I going to adjust to going back to the States?

Like many other study abroad students around me, I’ve had my fair share of “oh my gosh it's almost over” moments (particularly this week). But what I’ve come to realize is that I should be looking forward to what I have planned for the remainder of my time abroad and take advantage of all that’s laid in front of me.

Here's a glimpse into what the next month looks like for me...

-A week and a half of class left.

-Too many finals and projects.

-Too many goodbyes I don't want to say.

-Too much gelato needed to be eaten.

-A visit from my good friend, Morgan!

-A 2 week adventure with Meghan to Ireland, Scotland, and Paris.

-Meeting up with my family in Switzerland and traveling with them for a week!

-Back to Florence one last time...

-Fly home!

Seriously, where did the time go?!

Hi ho hi ho..it's off to the Alps I go!

 After spending a day in the Tuscan countryside, I was up in the wee hours of the morning to set off on yet another great adventure. Destination: The Italian Alps, Lake Garda and Verona.

 Driving through the Alps of Italy was nothing short of spectacular. Our first stop was Trento, a quaint and winsome city cupped between the Dolomite mountains. The town and scenery it offered was incredible; snow capped mountains, trickling rivers and streams, medieval arches and alleyways, it seemed almost surreal. Our day was spent off the beaten path as we hiked our way through the dense woods and towering mountains.

 The next morning, we made our way to the largest lake in Italy: Lake Garda. When it comes to beautiful lakeside scenery, stunning mountain backdrops and picturesque towns and villages, Lake Garda is a breathtaking sight not to be missed.

After a wonderful couple of hours by the lake, we headed for our last destination: Verona.

 There are so many self-proclaimed cities of love – Paris, Venice, and even Florence have been some of the most romantic destinations, But to visit the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet is something most of us would have to have on our bucket lists.

 Verona was like a step back in time and really captured the true history of Italy. 

Tuscan Day Trip

Looking for a break from bustling Florence, my friend Allison and I took a day trip to varying cities in Tuscany, a charming place to get a break from the busy and crowded streets of Florence. The scenery we immersed ourselves in was so surreal; the contrast of the vast rolling yellow and green hills against the clear blue sky was absolutely breathtaking! In a mere 12 hours, we took a guided tour of the Tuscany region, including: Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa.

Our tour began in the city of Siena; a quintessential Gothic city with lovely old streets and winding roads you can get lost in.

After leaving Siena, we made our way to a family owned vineyard/farm for lunch and wine tasting! Italians really do treat food and wine like an art. Everything was prepared, organized and delivered with such thought.

 While learning about various wines and what to pair them with, we started off our meal with bread, homemade olive oil and cheese. Next we were served a delicious bowl of Ribollita soup (a hearty soup made with leftover bread, cannelloni beans and vegetables). Next up was a heaping plate of homemade pasta with fresh tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. Lastly, we were offered biscotti, which we dipped in a sweet dessert wine. The whole meal was superb and it was a great experience learning about different kinds wines and how they are produced.

 After lunch, we departed to San Gimignano. What a beautiful place this was. So quaint and rustic; I was entranced the entire time! We spent an hour or so walking around and exploring the town. I loved how San Gimignano has a past and present which are so impressively entwined. And not to mention the views this city offered!

The last stop on our tour was Pisa. Of course, our first order of business was to take obligatory touristy photos with the tower! At this point in the tour we were so exhausted that sitting on the grass in front of the tower was exactly what we all needed.

 After touring the Tuscan countryside, I have decided that I am not only in love with Florence, but with Tuscany as well. A recommended visit for anyone traveling to Italy!