For those of you who've been following my journey abroad, I just spent the last year studying on the Tufts in London program. Sadly, as all great things do, my abroad experience has come to an end. I've returned to Boston for the summer, and although I'm disappointed my wonderful experience has to be over, I'm looking forward to an amazing senior year at Tufts!
Being back in the U.S. has definitely been more of an adjustment than I originally expected. Compared to my first few weeks living in a city I'd only visited once before, I expected my transition back into life in the U.S. to be smoother and simpler, considering this is where I've lived for most of my life. However, leaving London made me realize just how much of a home the city had become. The adjustment to not being abroad and not being as independent with traveling and caring for myself has been surprisingly difficult.
Going abroad for any period of time has the potential to be a life changing experience. However, I found my year of complete immersion into London culture to be more meaningful than what could have been a year of just traveling and enjoying London as only a long-term visitor. I found a home in London, and a culture I found myself exploring and embracing. This transition back to life in the U.S. is mixed with huge homesickness for the life I left behind in London.
However, it's not all bad! Yes, it's been incredibly difficult accepting my time abroad is over. But I can always visit, or go back to the UK for school or work after my time at Tufts. I'll always have a group of friends not only in London, but all over Europe, so I'll always have a place to stay or someone to meet up with when I do return. I'd much rather have this sadness at the end of an amazing experience than to not have had the experience in the first place!