Ok so I've been a bad blogger. First, I was going to update after being home for a month but that anniversary came and went so then I was going to update at the 2 month anniversary. I've missed it by a few days but I'm still going to do a post anyway.
So yeah, like I said, I've been home for just over 2 months, which I find fairly ridiculous. It doesn't even seem possible that I haven't been in Glasgow for 2 months. Its not that theres anything wrong with being home, it just doesn't feel like its been that long since I came back.
Classes started a little over a month ago, so thats probably part of the reason that the time has gone by so quickly. And I must say - I am SO thankful to be back at UAlbany. Never really thought I'd say that, especially compared to the University of Glasgow, but its just that I am so much better suited [adapted?] to the US Education system. I feel much more capable of handling what is required of me here than I ever did at the University of Glasgow. This is clearly just a result of conditioning and only being exposed to US Education (meaning, that there is nothing wrong with the education system in the UK or the University of Glasgow, its just not something I'm used to and so I struggled with it). If you're considering study abroad and the difference in education scares you... its ok to be nervous about the education system in the country you're going to go to, but don't let it stop you from going abroad, and don't just treat it like it doesn't matter. My personal opinion is that if you try [fairly] hard (it can be hard to do your absolute best in the environment you're in abroad), then whatever happens, happens. As for my grades from last semester, I think I did ok in University of Glasgow standards, and I think that my grades will translate into two B's and a B- at the University at Albany. I don't have my grades from UAlbany yet, so its not official.
As for adjusting back to non-academic life... I haven't really had much of a problem. But then again I didn't really have a hard time adjusting to life in the UK. I've heard that this can be because the cultures of the UK and the US are very similar, so there isn't as much chance for culture shock. My only real
"problem" is that while I was abroad, I lost my job. I left with the understanding that I would more than likely have my job when I returned so it was both a surprise and not a surprise. I knew there was a chance I could lose it when I left, and I had already decided that I would rather go abroad and lose my job than not do it at all. But still, the lack of income was a bit of a shock and I've had to deal with that.
One thing that is mentioned a lot in literature about studying abroad - school issued stuff, and study abroad books - is they talk about how when you come home, it can be difficult to deal with the people in your life because you are "such a different person now" and your family and friends just can't deal with that. I just have to say that I haven't encountered this at all, and I don't think its because studying abroad didn't change me. I don't feel like a completely different person. But there are things I notice about myself, sometimes multiple times a day, that are directly related to my study abroad experiences. And personally, I would rather have small "improvements" than to be just a completely different person. Let me see if I can think of a couple different examples...
- I have an easier time "dealing" with being concerned about what people think of me. This is something I've struggled with being concerned about for probably my whole life. Like not wearing certain clothes or doing certain things because I was worried of what people would think of me. And now I find myself being a lot braver about stuff like that, and not being as bothered that someone might judge me. I have no idea what exactly made me change my opinion on this but I know it has something to do with being abroad.
- I've also been trying to appreciate my local area more. Because, after all, places like Glasgow, London, Paris, Dublin, Derry, Inveraray, Fort William - those are all people's home towns, and I could be missing out on really interesting things in my own hometown because I've been taking it for granted. So this summer (most things aren't open until spring/summer), I'm intending to find local historical sites and other places like that and go visit them.
- I also have more confidence in my own abilities, particularly in my ability to navigate and get around. In fact, this summer, I will be going to Boston with my mom, and I'm not nervous about getting around and finding things at all. (This is also connects with appreciating the local area, because there are plenty of places right in the US that are worth visiting).
Ok thats all I can think of right now, as far as examples go, but I thought it might be important to some people to see an actual (and specific) example of what studying abroad might do for you. Instead of just what is usually written - "gain confidence", and everything like that. Too generic.
Hmm... what else was I going to mention...
Oh! I was going to say that there are a couple of things that I have, I guess you could say, disliked since being back. (This is really odd phrasing but I think you'll understand once I'm done)
I find it weird that I've been to all of these places (Paris, London, Glasgow), and yet people that I meet, or at school, don't know it. I feel oddly compelled to tell people. And definitely not in a braggy kind of way. I can't even fully explain it. But it just feels weird to me that I had such an amazing few months and yet no one really knows (I'm not counting family and friends).
Somewhat related is just the sadness that all of the people that I was with in Glasgow (and the friends that I traveled with to various places) are all in different places now. But thats to be expected.
Well, I'm done for now. Not much more that I can think of about transitioning back after studying abroad.
Oh, and I'm doing surprising well without Taco Mazama. Thankfully.
My next blog post I'm going to post some pictures that either never got posted before, or just ones that I really love and want to share. Kind of like, a best of the best from study abroad.
Until then!
