Column | What I missed, adjustments made returning from study abroad | Columns

Having the opportunity to travel and study in new locations has been an incredible, truly unforgettable experience. However, taking a step back from the environment of constant travel, experience and cultural shock, there have been things I didn’t realize I missed and adjustments made in returning home.

The difference between having Europe at your fingertips and being in a small college town like State College is vast. I had to adjust to that difference abroad, knowing I’d eventually adjust back to normal life at Penn State.

There are some things I didn’t realize I’d miss, though, about being in a college town.

There are fewer things to do and fewer things to see, but there are still ways to mimic those experiences abroad. Especially at Penn State, there are museums to explore, parks to walk in and people to talk to.

Some of the best experiences I had abroad were the random conversations with people. Whether on trains, in museums or at historical monuments, there were always people with their own stories that gave me perspective on my surroundings.

Talking with people while being so far from home was one of my favorite experiences abroad. Being at Penn State, with over 40,000 undergraduate students, I’ve now learned there are always opportunities for similar interactions.

Another thing I didn’t realize I’d miss so much was the convenience of a college town. Convenience is a lot easier at Penn State than in a major city.

Commuting to classes may have been close to an hour’s walk or a half an hour’s subway or bus ride, which wasn’t convenient. Penn State is a large community with everything super close to you.

Classes are a quick walk even from downtown, and many stores are so compact that it’s more convenient than being in a city, which is something I took for granted. A city still has lots of benefits, but there’s a certain level of convenience I didn’t realize.

More simple activities like stores being open later or getting takeout food were also things I didn’t anticipate missing as much. While I’d be in favor of Wawa expanding even more than just to the State College area — all the way to Europe — I didn’t find a store throughout my travels that matched that level of convenience.

I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the support from people at home. From family to friends, being able to have people around me was something I didn’t have much overseas.

Part of me enjoyed the independence and seeing everything the world has to offer, but there came a time when I missed what I had at home. Even things like friends’ birthdays are something I’m glad I’ll celebrate back at Penn State.

While there are certainly mixed feelings about returning to the United States, I can reflect on my time abroad and acknowledge that despite all its memories, there are things I missed and took for granted at home. I found that even during the experience, it was the small things I didn’t think much of that were the things I missed and had to readjust to most.

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