It is with a heavy heart that I must say that my experience abroad has come to an end. As I stood at the airport gate, waiting to board my last of seven planes, I felt a strange sense of longing and relief within me. My abroad trip was nothing short of miraculous; it was a true shock that I was able to embark on this journey, and the entire program felt like a dream. I met and bonded with newfound friends, ate some incredible and unfamiliar foods, and studied elements of healthcare in a different country. Although it was almost a month long, I still felt as though I could do the whole excursion over again in that instant. But at the same time, I knew that I was ready to come home. My family is a huge part of me, and being without them took a toll on me emotionally. Although this void was partially filled with all of the new sights, sounds, and experiences, coming back to my place of comfort was still a desire of mine.
It has now been exactly one week since I have returned from Vietnam, and it has been quite challenging adjusting back to the normal pace of life. The time change has been the biggest factor, and my sleep schedule has been all over the place to say the least. I have also slowed down considerably in my day-to-day life. While abroad, each day was packed full of activities and lessons, but now I feel almost empty. Of course, there is plenty of work to do, as I prepare for higher education and job opportunities, but getting accustomed to the slower days has been tough. All in all, the memories I made and the friendships I gained overseas will stick with me forever, and I could not be more grateful to have received the opportunity and returned home safely. Until the next adventure!
