Seven Stages of Study Abroad

You've heard of the Seven Stages of Grief:

(Also how they looked when Manziel went pro) 

Well, I think study abroad experiences also have seven stages, give or take.

1. Absolutely Joy

Leo. Swoon. 

YOU MADE IT! 

You got on the plane. You got off the plane. You crossed boarders and maybe an ocean and maybe you even got a stamp on your passport (but probably not because no one does that anymore...). You may be exhausted and feel gross from traveling, but it doesn't matter--you're in a foreign country, and you're about to have the time of your life. 

But then you experience....

2. Total Confusion

Because you walked outside of the airport.
Or maybe you're still in the airport, and it's just that bad.
And you hit a brick wall of utter confusion.

What you look like. For about 36 hours.

You know where you're supposed to go...but you're not sure how to get there. 

And you know you need food...but what exactly are you ordering? 

And what is the exchange rate again? How much are you spending on this cappuccino?! 

And so the questions begin. 

And never end. 

And then you think...

3. I can't do this/I CAN DO THIS

If you haven't seen Tangled...you need to. Because scene shows the exact spectrum of emotions you go through while studying abroad. Seriously. 

Ah, yes, the emotional roller coaster. Some hours/days/weeks, you'll go from elated to frustrated to miserable to joyful to content and back again. And that's only the beginning.

There comes a moment when you seriously ask yourself what the heck you were thinking, flying half way around the world to live for a couple of months.

But then, there comes a moment when you are able to give yourself a quality answer.

And you remember why you came. And why you have loved it, even when you hated it.

And this happens. Multiple times.

But all you know is that you are...

4. Never coming home

And no one can make you. 

You can confidently walk into a grocery store and get what you need. 

You can order food in the native language, and you can kinda read a menu. 

You've made friends with the locals, and you've mastered the art of public transportation and hostel living. 

You rock that bed bug guard, and you're able to give quality travel advice to those that ask. 

You've even stopped converting the local currency to US dollars, because, well, YOLO. 

I'M NOT LEAVING AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! 

Although visas can and will expire and then you may want to consider heading back...

But then you realize... 

5. You just want a burger. And maybe a hug.

You've been gone a long time, and you're starting to see pictures of your friends together on social media. 

And you aren't there. 

But you can't complain, because you're in a foreign country living the dream. And they are at home, doing home stuff. 

But...home is starting to sound nice. 

And you kinda get tired of not knowing what people are saying around you and to you. 

And maybe...maybe staying in a hostel with 11 other people is getting a little old.

And then you start to read Buzzfeed articles like this....and then Chipotle sounds freaking awesome.

But you want to keep adventuring. And you want to stay. And you feel guilty for missing home.

But you also just really want a hug from your mom. 

And you kinda wish your friends could be with you. 

And a quality burger sounds really, really good. Because 'Merica does know a thing or two about burgers. And you kinda miss 'Merica, if you're totally honest.  

But then you get a....

6. Second Wind

And you never want this experience to end.

You're hanging out with new friends, you're adventuring constantly, and meeting the coolest people out there. You have so much to see, and so much to do before you leave, and you're looking at the calendar and you can't believe how quickly time has passed. And you need more time, you're desperate for more time. 

Because you are in another country, AND YOU ARE HAVING THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE! 

But then you realize...

7. You have a week left

And you have to say goodbye to your new friends.
And you start making plans to visit your favorite ice cream shop one last time.
And you start to get a little chocked up when you think about getting on the plane to go home.  

Because...this place has become a part of you. You've changed, and you don't want to lose the person you've become.

And you don't want the adventures to stop.
And real life....the real world...is just plain unappealing. Because life and school (real school) and responsibility is about to come flying at you like a banshee and you are not ready for it.

You're excited to see friends back home, but you find yourself already fantasizing about your next trip abroad...because once you've been bit by the travel bug, there's no going back. There is so much to see, and so little time...and you're ready to do what it takes to make it across the pond again.


I have one week left.
I'm gonna go grab some ice cream.
And some tissues.

kendall