Before you get too
outraged, I do want to offer an apology to those if you who were waiting for
some type of summary blog. But here’s the belated quick version:
I left India on July 29th
and arrived in the US via a ten-day vacation in Bretagne with the Elliott women
(and Uncle Steve). From there it was a four day turn around with just enough
time to do laundry and repack my small suitcase before it was off to a
week-long Foose beach vacation. Afterwards, it was time to head up to
Pittsburgh, move into my new house, paint my room and get it organized, and
start training for work. Since then, I’ve been running around campus as is my
tendency, attending my six classes, working at the Career Center, and in
general just pushing myself to the limit—and missing India almost every day.
Re-entry
is always hard after a study abroad experience. Coming back from after my
junior year was terrible frankly. I was about 30 pounds heavier than when I
left, totally immersed in Chinese language and uncomfortable with my English,
and very unsure of how I was going to go back to another year of high school
with the big college decision looming ominously. This time it is different.
While
I felt I came back from China a completely different person, I have returned
from India a stronger, more focused version of myself. And frankly, it’s a
pretty wonderful feeling. I have a renewed sense of purpose in my academic and
career path, I am connecting with strangers more easily, and expressing my
feelings more clearly. And the most tangible part of my growth is a renewed
connection to written reflection. I find myself jotting notes in the margins of
my notebook to try and magically realize into stories or essays later. Yet,
without the presence of an audience (even an imaginary one), it is difficult to
motivate myself to actually complete one. So with the aid of my fear of letting
anyone down, ever, in any way, I promise I'll be back soon.
