Submitted by Anne Grae Martin on the 2015 fall semester study abroad program in London, England…
OKAY! It has been a long, exciting, amazing and beautiful semester. I got back to Philadelphia at 4:30 EST (9:30 London time) last Saturday and I’ve been trying to process everything in my jet-lagged state. Coming home is weird. I almost miss the days when it took people weeks or even months to cross the Atlantic. Then at least, they probably felt like they went somewhere. I sat in a seat for 8 hours, watched movies, and then all of a sudden, I was surrounded by people with my accent, a currency I’m used to, and 70° weather (because Global Warming is here, too, I suppose). People keep asking me if I’m sad to be back. My answer has been: no. This semester has been amazing. I’m so glad I went. I got to do most of the things on my bucket list, as well as do things I never imagined I’d ever do. But after traveling, it’s so nice to have a nice home to come home to.
I’m so grateful for this experience. I’m so fortunate to have friends and family that have supported me through my highs and lows and who allow me to discover more about the world and myself. I’ll stop before this starts sounding too much like the end of a Disney movie. But truly, London is amazing and I can’t wait to go back.
