A surge of nostalgia swept over me today in UA’s Student Center. In line for a snack, I suddenly heard the familiar (and perhaps cheesy) tune of “Down Under” by Men at Work. While this song serendipitously stirred up memories from my time abroad, since school has started back, I have found myself frequently reflecting on my experiences in Melbourne. In almost every back-to-school conversation, I am asked the simple, but stunning, question: “How was Australia?” My usual answer is, “It was the time of my life.” While digestible, this response fails to encapsulate the transformative four and a half months I was away. My program ended just weeks ago (due to Australia’s academic calendar), but sometimes it feels like I lived another lifetime only to resume senior year where I left off.
When asked by a friend about how it felt to be back at UA, I related it to the feeling of going home after your first semester of college. My roommates in Melbourne confirmed this experience; from across the United States and even as far away as Tokyo, we have been reminiscing about our shared time in Australia. We still text in our group chat about missing the tram stop by our apartment, our favorite coffee shops, trips we went on, and even the unique bird songs we heard in public parks.
But my friends have also found ourselves celebrating things we missed about our home countries. This summer, I visited parts of my home state of Mississippi with the same vigor I explored Tasmania with. When I filled my plate with homecooked brisket, mac n’ cheese, and corn-on-the-cob on the Fourth of July, I experienced similar culinary delight as I did during brunches in Melbourne’s suburbs. Now that I am on campus, I am rediscovering UA with the wonder I felt as a first-year student.
Summarizing my time abroad has been difficult, but its impact is clear in my actions. While I do puzzle my friends with phrases like “what’s on,” I also am so much more intentional with and grateful for the time we are now able to spend together. I approach academic coursework and challenges with bolstered confidence. I have gained lifelong friends who I not only text frequently but am planning to see within the next few months. I have even started a position as a Global Ambassador for WorldStrides (the affiliate I went abroad with) to share what I have learned with prospective students.
While I may not be able to say that I have “come from a land down under” for much longer, I know that the people and places I have come to love will stay with me for the rest of my life.
