December 21, 2004

It’s really hard to believe that my trip is over and I’m back home sitting at my own desk again. In many ways, it feels like the last three months flew by and I haven’t been gone long at all. I was sad to leave my surroundings at Queen’s which had become rather comfortable and familiar, and of course I would miss the new friends I made. But on the other hand, I was thankful for all the things I was returning home to. On the long, trans-Atlantic plane ride back, I had the chance to think holistically about my study abroad experience and the value of studying and living in a foreign country.

The goal I set for myself at the beginning of the term was to become more independent. I came here alone and unsure of what things would be like, but ready to adapt to whatever happened. I think, in the end, the most important thing I learned on this trip was just that. I could be a success in a totally new environment. I had the tools to survive and even thrive in a way I never thought possible.

I had a lot of new experiences this semester. The sight-seeing was great, the night life was a lot of fun, and the classes and academic structure was different and

challenging. But the thing about this trip that I’ll remember years from now is all the great conversations and fun I had with the other students. It was amazing to be with so many international students and have the opportunity to talk about serious issues from this new perspective. Everything was not always so serious, though. In the end, I discovered that people are very similar in their desire to make connections with one another. My friends here truly opened my eyes, and I’ll cherish those memories.