Before I left the States one of my friends told me that I would go through stages of being here, which sound a lot like the whole culture shock talk from orientation now that I think about it.. He said at first everything will probably be overwhelming, be you're making so many friends and having so many fun new experiences that you push through and adapt. Everything continues to be fun as everything is new and there is so much to discover in every day. Then things will lose their new appeal and you might get bored of them, even frustrated because they are new and different, and want to come home. Then it's time to go and you become sentimental and don't want to leave, as you realize that realistically you may never see these places or people again.
I've been watching to see if these stages develop, and have definitely seen them here to some degree, in myself as well as others. I noticed recently how there aren't so many new things in my day anymore. Last week my Mom came to visit me. She kept pointing out and observing so many things that were different from home. These same things I didn't even notice anymore, they've just become a common part of my day and surroundings. My mom and I traveled to Helsinki for a couple of days too while she was here. As much as I really did enjoy Finland, I felt a little bit relieved to be back in Tartu, I think it's becoming a second home to me.
Before I left home I had also heard that it wasn't a good idea to visit with people from home mid-way through the semester, so I was a little worried about what would happen after spending a week with Mom and then having to say goodbye again. But I think it was more helpful than anything, kind of like a refresher of home. It was also nice for her to see everything in person that I had been trying to explain through words and pictures. Now she can relate more to my experience here.
I have been feeling a little homesick lately though. I've even noticed myself missing random things, like graham crackers. I was a little worried about this until a couple of other people here started talking about missing home too the other night. For whatever reason I think now is when it's starting to sink in for a couple of us that we're away from home and have been for so long. It is pretty much the halfway point. But there is still so much to take in and experience while I am abroad. As much as I want to be with my friends and family from home again, I want to take advantage of the relationships and time I have left here.
No comments:
Post a Comment