Coming back for my second arrival honestly felt so different from the first time—in a really good way. The first time I got here, everything felt kind of chaotic and new, and I was just trying to figure things out. This time, it felt way more familiar, like I actually knew what I was doing (at least a little). It was nice not having that same stress of “what do I do now?” and instead just settling back in.
One of the best parts of being back has definitely been the people. I’ve found such a solid group of friends, mostly other international students, and it’s made a huge difference. Everyone’s kind of in the same boat, so it’s easy to connect. We hang out all the time—whether it’s going to the beach, getting food, or just doing random stuff during the week. It makes being away from home a lot easier when you have people around you like that.
I also feel like coming back to the same place has made me appreciate it more. The first time, I was so focused on adjusting and figuring everything out that I didn’t really take everything in. Now, I actually notice more and enjoy it more. I feel way more comfortable here, like I can actually relax into it instead of constantly thinking about what’s next.
Also, it’s summer now which has completely changed everything. The weather is amazing, and I’m basically at the beach every day. I’ve fully embraced the whole barefoot lifestyle which I never thought I would. Now, it just feels normal. Being able to just walk around, go to the beach whenever, and not worry about much has been one of my favorite parts so far.
Thursday nights at the Scarborough Beach Markets have been such a highlight. There’s always a good crowd, music, and a ton of food options, so it’s just a fun way to spend the night. On Tuesdays, we always do trivia with a group of us, which is honestly so fun—even if we’re not that good at it. It’s turned into one of those weekly things I always look forward to.
Overall, this second arrival just feels easier and a lot more fun. I’m not as stressed, I have great friends, and I actually feel like I belong here now.