After returning to the U.S. from London, the post-London depression certainly kicked in. I slept most of the day after returning, and it took me a few days to get back into my sleep schedule, as I would fall asleep at 7:00 pm and wake up ready to start my day at 2:30 am. I got back into the swing of things and began to never shut up about my trip, how much I miss it, and how much I wish I was still there. I am sure I was incredibly annoying to be around, but I fell in love with London so much that I felt like a part of myself is remained there, and I still do. I did not experience any culture shocks when coming home, as I was not abroad for an extended period. I was centrally sad to be home and have my trip, my study abroad experience that I had prized for so long, inevitably concluded. I continue to refer to certain things in the “London” way, such as saying I will use the “toilet” instead of the “restroom” or “bathroom” and my friends nonstop correct me saying that I am no longer in London so there is no need to continue to adapt to their phrasing. Although that is annoying, I will continue to say and do certain things as I did them abroad, because I find them better than the traditional American ways that we may do or say things. I am excited to hopefully return to London, whether that be studying abroad again next summer, or taking a separate trip there. This experience has given me something to look back fondly on, as well as something to plan and anticipate for a future return visit, and for that I am inevitably grateful.
