Returning home from Cotonou, Benin after a transformative four-week study abroad experience has been both comforting and surprisingly disorienting. While I was excited to reunite with family, sleep in my own bed, and return to the familiar rhythm of life at home, I quickly realized that adjusting back isn’t as simple as I had imagined. The experience in Benin left a deep imprint on me—not just in memories, but in how I see the world. The vibrant culture, the warmth of the people, and the rich lessons learned both inside and outside the classroom have stayed with me. I often find myself thinking back to the bustling markets, the engaging class discussions about West African society, and the spontaneous karaoke nights that blurred the lines between strangers and friends. At home, things feel quieter, more routine, and oddly less colorful in comparison. I catch myself missing the little things, like greeting people in French or enjoying a plate of Senegalese jollof rice with my classmates. Even though I’m back in a place that once felt completely normal, I feel like a slightly different version of myself—someone who’s grown more open-minded, reflective, and appreciative of the world beyond my comfort zone. It’s also made me more aware of the privileges I took for granted before the trip. I’m learning to carry the lessons and connections from Benin into my everyday life here, even as I navigate the strange in-between of nostalgia and re-entry. This adjustment period has reminded me that returning home doesn’t mean going back to who I was—it means growing into who I’m becoming.
