Ireland Reflection & Life Back Home

My time in Ireland has come to a close, and I have been back in the United States for around a week. I flew into Atlanta, Georgia, last Tuesday, and over the past week, I have spent time reorganizing, preparing for the summer, and bonding with family and friends.

Being back in the U.S. makes my time in Ireland feel like a distant dream. I am relieved to be around friends and family and to experience familiar sights, sounds, and tastes that I missed. It feels like everything just went back to normal, so I often remind myself that I have been gone for around four months. However, I do notice differences in my life before versus after Ireland, thanks to all that I learned abroad. I feel more confident in what I want, more independent in what I do, and more knowledgeable of the world around me.

The Cliffs of Moher, which I visited during my first week in Ireland.

My experience with reverse culture shock has been slight, but still present. Within my first couple of days back in the U.S., I had to run some errands and grew frustrated, realizing how difficult it would be to walk everywhere I wanted. In Ireland, I could walk nearly anywhere and enjoyed doing so often. Additionally, going from green and rural Ireland to Atlanta was a little depressing since I do prefer the lush greenery. Furthermore, being around my family was more overwhelming at first than I thought it would be, since I have been largely independent for the past few months.

River Corrib in Galway, Ireland, that I visited on my first non-tour Ireland trip.

However, my life and home are pretty similar to how I left them, which was a relief. Since I kept in touch with my family and friends pretty well, nothing feels jarring or very different. It is a weird feeling that everyone’s lives went on without me, so I find myself scrambling to find out what I missed when I run into old friends. Sometimes it can be difficult not to bring up my time abroad every two seconds because it was so impactful to me. I find myself wanting people to ask more questions so I can keep talking about it, but I know these struggles will fade as I readjust to life back home.

One of my biggest struggles since coming home is that everything feels somewhat anti-climactic. I have spent the past year or so preparing, anticipating, and living study abroad, and now it is over. I feel a little anxious to grasp onto the next big thing, but I think it may be best to just live in the moment. Additionally, I do miss Ireland. It saddens me that I will never live the same way again and that I cannot travel nearly as easily as I could this past semester. However, whenever I feel disappointed or that I wish I were still abroad, I refocus those feelings into planning the next time I travel. I have even started looking at some potential USC Maymesters or fellowships to experience more.

An overlook on the Ring of Kerry, my favorite Ireland road trip.

My experience abroad was unlike anything I have ever lived through before. I get to challenge myself every day socially, academically, logically, physically, and more. After successfully creating an enjoyable life for myself abroad, I feel exceedingly competent. Travelling around Europe also taught me how to navigate unfamiliar surroundings, not only regarding transportation, but also finding food, accommodation, events, and more. I learned how to be calm in serious situations, like missing a flight, communicating with someone who does not understand you, and being scammed. Thanks to these challenges, I learned that I can always get through any obstacle, so I might as well be calm and just focus on what I can control.

Calling Ireland my home these past four months is an experience I am so grateful for. Despite my fears, I found comfort and belonging in my host country that I will always miss. I learned to embrace the laid-back environment of Ireland while finding a healthy balance with academics. Even norms like walking or using public transportation everywhere, keeping windows open, and more have become ingrained in my day-to-day life. Ireland is one of the most lush, peaceful, and thoughtful places I have had the privilege of visiting. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

A view of my favorite swans on my favorite trails along the River Shannon in Limerick, Ireland.

In Ireland, I also learned that absence does make the heart grow fonder. The second I left the U.S., I realized all that I was leaving behind. Of course, all of the people, places, and things I missed are still here, but I have a much deeper appreciation for them now than ever before. I greatly value the comfort in my life at home and how easy it is to run errands, spend time with friends, lie out in the sun, and more. Though I am sad to have left Ireland, I feel so relaxed and blissful back at home.

Ireland has changed me for the better. These blogs have been the perfect way to track and reflect my journey, not only for friends, family, and other students, but for me. My last piece of advice: do it. The experience is worth the hardships. You may regret not studying abroad, but you will never regret going.