Finally home! I’m definitely going to miss being abroad, but MAN am I ready for some home cooking… It was raining like crazy when I arrived in Atlanta, and for a moment I thought that I was back in Ireland! Thankfully, this was not the case, and I knew that as soon as I got into the airport for my final layover, I would finally get to enjoy a huge burger while binge watching the three episodes of Game of Thrones that I missed while gone.
Now that I am back, I feel like I have a much better grasp on how different other parts of the world can be. I feel like I have always been fairly open-minded, but this trip definitely helped me be even more accepting to everyone that I encounter.
I really enjoy being able to read road signs again… It’s quite easy to get lost if you don’t know the language of the country that you’re in (Turkey), and there’s no hope in asking a local resident for help… Trust me, they won’t understand you.
I’m truly going to miss all of the friends that I made during the trip, and I will definitely keep in touch with them as much as I can. I’m also going to miss the beautiful scenery of each country, especially the gorgeous, ancient mosques that are scattered all over Istanbul, stretching high into the always-blue skies. Nothing beats having a great view wherever you look.
Lastly, to future students, I would like to say that studying abroad is the best thing that a student can possibly do for himself/herself. We are at an age that allows us to be adventurous. We are in a generation that accepts people for who they are, no matter their color, race, or cultural background. This is a beautiful thing, and I advise everyone to use it to his or her advantage every chance that he or she gets. The world is awesome. Every single region of it has something that can touch someone’s heart in a special way. Now, let me finish by giving the same advice that led me to make this trip happen: study abroad!
