Finals week is right here, and I believe I’ve mastered the intersections of procrastinating and examine overseas. Whereas my friends are in Maastricht (like accountable adults), I’m again in Italy, avoiding my closing papers and snacking on Panettone! Name it irresponsibility or simply plain loopy, but when I’ve realized something up to now few months it’s that you just CAN journey round and nonetheless cross your courses!
That being mentioned, it’s troublesome realizing that in a month I’ll be leaving all of this — the spontaneous journey, the superb meals, and Maastricht— behind. I miss GWU, and I miss D.C., however I’m not likely prepared for the approaching judgmental appears to be like once I ask for mayo on my fries.
Research overseas is a variety of issues. It’s placing your self in an entire new, unfamiliar surroundings, oftentimes the place individuals don’t converse the language or don’t know your tradition. It’s experiencing new flavors, assembly new faces, and attempting stuff you by no means thought you’d attempt earlier than. It’s oftentimes lonely, oftentimes unhappy, and oftentimes thrilling and joyful. There are moments the place you sit in your room, questioning why you got here right here and wishing you had been again at Crepeaway. However there are additionally moments the place you look out throughout the river and assume, “By God, I’m really right here.”
Probably the most superb a part of this expertise, although, has been my very own private progress. With a lot time on my own, I needed to develop into extra comfy and guaranteed in my very own physique. Over these previous 4 months, I had a variety of time to consider my previous, my future, and the way that impacts my current. I’m way more assured, way more ready, and far much less prepared to take care of issues I don’t discover of worth. Perhaps the Dutch bluntness rubbed off on me, or perhaps touring alone simply brought about this. However I doubt I’ll have bother talking up at school, or voicing my opinions to my pals come second semester.
I’m fortunate as a result of I’ve one other month left in my residence. I nonetheless have time to go to Eindhoven, Groningen, the Hague, Rotterdam, Berlin, and all of the locations I needed to go however didn’t have the time to start with. However I can’t say that I’m not prepared to return. It’s been a enjoyable experiment, however I miss the ole U.S. of A. After all, I’m certain I’ll really feel that manner about Maastricht in 4 months.
