July 27th, 2018
What do you miss most from abroad?
The aspect I miss most about studying abroad would be the people I came to love. I never realized I was taking advantage of the close proximity I maintained with my newly established friends. Communication has been difficult, however, we have succeeded at making it work. Another prime characteristic I miss from being in Australia would be the country’s breathtaking scenery. Arizona’s contrasting environment and lack of greenery have only served to make me miss Australia even more! Someday, I do intend on returning to Australia to reunite with my cousin and experience more of the east coast.
What does "reverse culture shock" mean to you?
Prior to arriving in Australia, I considered reverse culture shock as a myth. However, as my departure date approached, I noticed I had actually become identified with my life in Australia. I fell in love with the country’s dynamic culture, breathtaking scenery, and affable individuals. This made my reacclimatization back into the United States slightly more challenging than anticipated. I would periodically catch myself relaying stories about one of my foreign friends without realizing that the other person appeared uninterested. There have also been occasions in which I would incorporate foreign slang into casual conversations with my American friends. Now that I have been home for approximately one month, I very rarely partake in these old habits. I have continued to maintain communication with my friends from Australia, although, I still wish I lived next door to them.