Home: Back to Normalcy

So, here I am. Back on familiar soil, surrounded by the comforts of home, my family, the holiday season and my friends and yet something feels so profoundly different. Just a week ago, I was having daily adventures in Dublin, exploring a new pathway to Trinity or just watching the influx of different people walk up and down the holiday market on Henry Street. From the bustle of city life, my daily soundtrack has reverted to the silence of my room, the conversations with my parents and the gentle rumble of cars driving on the roads. 

Let’s be real for a minute: coming home after studying abroad is weird. It's not just about unpacking your suitcase and catching up on sleep, which are both extremely important. But it is also about readjusting to a life that, while familiar, suddenly feels so … ordinary. After weeks of living every week independently and having adventures that I couldn’t even fathom having in Texas, stepping back into routine felt like walking into a black and white film rather than the dream I was living in so recently. Maybe I sound too disappointed in coming home, however, this holiday season gave me the time to reconnect with my family and unwind after my journey abroad before getting back into the swing of things as well as my final semester at Austin College and for that I am grateful. 

One of the biggest heartbreaks of coming home was saying goodbye to the incredible friends I made. In Dublin, I found a group of girls who understood exactly what it was like to be navigating student life in a completely different country. We were all experiencing the same mix of excitement, homesickness, and cultural discoveries, and that shared experience created an instant bond. We were each other’s support system and partners in crime as we explored Dublin and beyond. It wasn’t just about going out for pints or exploring the city together; it was about having people who got it. They understood the cultural nuances, the funny miscommunications, and the moments of feeling completely out of place – because they were right there with me. That kind of shared understanding is rare and precious, and it made saying goodbye incredibly difficult.

Now, as I settle back into my life at home, I’m carrying those memories with me as stories I share with those that ask me about my time abroad. They are a reminder of the incredible adventure I had, the lessons I learned, and the friendships I forged. And while the transition is going to be challenging, I know that the experiences and connections I made in Dublin will continue to shape me and I am excited for my new adventures in the future. 

Thank you IES Abroad and thank you Dublin!