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Published: August 10th 2015
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It was only a couple of days after returning home from a life abroad in Ireland that I began to notice a change. I would suddenly panic while driving, second-guessing myself about which is the correct lane; my emotions would roller coaster depending on a certain smell, song or picture, and I continued to wake up at 5:00 each morning. At first I thought I was losing my mind. The real culprit was reverse culture shock, and I had fallen into a slump that is common among many travelers.
Where were the pubs blaring soccer matches, DJ sets, or live music from their dimly-lit interiors? How would I survive my constant cravings for Gino's and crepes? Why did this American food taste so unnatural? How many more times would I accidentally pay with quarters instead of dollars, my mind still stuck on the soothing weight of euros?
It honestly feels great to be back in the great state of Texas. I love the feeling of the 104° F (40° C) sun on my skin, even though it is all day. I love the familiarity of everything from the streets to food brands. I love the southern hospitality that is
rare to find anywhere else in the world such as people smiling as they walk by you, or holding the door open for the person behind them. I miss the cool fresh breeze from the Irish Sea and that the coast was never more than an hour bus ride away. I miss the fact that I could go hiking every other day. You would think that I was prepared for the states because it is what I was used to -
was. Ireland became my home to the point that I was so familiar with the area I could proudly give tourists suggestions and directions.
I began to really crave Ireland and was homesick for it. I was saddened by the thought that I couldn't just up and go the next destination on my "must see" list. I was annoyed when friends "didn't feel like going on a adventure" on a whim because I was so used to exploring a place new every single day. The reality is,
this is my reality. I am now working around a more time consuming schedule for work training. I am figuring out the last minute details in preparation for the new school year. All of a sudden, people aren’t as interested in my abroad experience as I thought they’d be. During everyday conversation, I find myself inserting stories about the time I spent a week in Paris and London, or hiking the Cliffs of Bray in Ireland. People listen for a bit, but inevitably move on to a new subject. I feel as if others perceive me as that person who thinks they’re cool, sophisticated, and experienced because I went abroad. Sometimes it is extremely difficult to share my happiness of my time abroad because I become self-conscious hoping I don't appear as if I am bragging. I wouldn't go as far to say I’m better than the person I was when I lived in Dublin, but I’m definitely different. Culture isn’t static and the U.S.A. has changed too. The differences are subtle and barely even nameable, but it’s somehow not the same place I left only a few short months ago. For example, I missed the announcement of legalizing gay marriage while I was in Scotland. The city feels a bit like an old friend that I care about, but we’ve simply grown apart and we are catching each other up on everything we missed. On the opposite end, I made amazing friends while in Ireland; both people from around the world and some that go to my university. This being said, a lot move back to Dallas in late August and we can reminisce together. I know in a couple more weeks, Texas will once again feel normal and Ireland will be the foreign feeling.
I feel very lucky and am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity to work and live on another continent. This experience has helped me realize how little I know about the area I live in now compared to my knowledge of Ireland. I want to be able to give suggestions of places to eat and visit for any type of person. I want to be able to give someone directions as if it was the back of my hand. I have already started a "must see" list for the Dallas/Fort Worth area and cannot wait to cross each and every one out.
I travel because culture offers new experiences, but it’s these differences that cause much of my shock. Having a sense of humor in re-adjusting to life at home is as imperative as laughing at my mistakes when I arrived overseas; it completes the package of the entire journey. Getting through the rut that is reverse culture shock takes some time, but it’s also an important learning experience in travel. Returning home with a new outlook and heightened awareness gives me a fresh perspective. Picking up habits and knowledge is why people travel, and I wouldn't trade my European summer for anything.
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