So I realized about a month or two ago that this was still the blog that the CIEE website linked to and I should probably end on a happier note than my previous reverse culture shock post of a year ago. (Everyone besides those directed here by the CIEE website probably already know this stuff, so it's just for the benefit of potential study abroad students so they know it isn't all horrible upon returning from studying abroad.)
Things continued to suck as I shuffled through the rest of my spring semester last year. I was pretty much apathetic to everything around me and the highlight of my week was when I was able to talk to Rohan, who I had met on the bus trip to NTE. One thing led to another and we started dating in May (that's a whole other story, though). Summer came and I got a lot happier because of the weather, being away from the drama at school, and being in a new relationship, although the long distance really sucks.
Caitlin and I figured out living arrangements with some new friends for this year and it's definitely had it's ups and downs. Then Rohan came to visit over my Christmas break and stayed pretty much the whole time. (He left a couple days before I went back to Hope) It was awesome and confirmed that I want to get back to Australia ASAP after graduation, which is May 6th. (Did I mention that I'm REALLY glad that I went on bus trip?)
Anyway, I miss Australia and not just because of Rohan. (Although, admittedly, that's definitely the biggest reason) I'm ready to move on and just get out of this place. I've lived in Michigan my whole life and studying abroad has allowed me to see that I want to leave. I know that I'll be able to live somewhere else, even if it is hard to be away from home at times. I will be applying for postgrad in Australia to get my Master's of Public Health in the coming weeks with the hopes of being accepted and starting uni in semester 2 (this July). Hopefully it'll all work out, and I'll be sure to keep you posted.
