Well, hello again. Upon request I’m writing one last blog now that I’m back in the United States. Right now I’m on a plane- on my way to DC for the summer. I just finished up two weeks back in Alabama. I have really enjoyed being home. Things are just easier here and I’m so much more comfortable. At the same time, I’ve been surprised to find that it’s taken some re-acclimation on my part to get back into the swing of America. I expected the transition to be easy and natural yet I found myself saying “Prominte” and “Dekuju” in the Atlanta airport, forgetting that it was okay to smile or even look at people you don’t know, not saying excuse me if I bumped into someone. It was unsettling but also rather telling that I’d adopted some European/Czech habits.
Through most of my stay in Europe, I was convinced I was miserable. And at times, I truly was miserable. I felt like I didn’t belong and I didn’t like the place I’d planted myself in. But I guess I did find something there familiar enough. That being said, I wouldn’t say study abroad was a bad decision on my part. I’m sure there were tons of students who enjoyed it more that I did but overall, I think it was a good experience for me. I learned a lot about myself, about Europe, and, surprisingly, about America.
I’ll start with myself. I have come to find that I like ketchup way more than I knew. This I learned from the severe lack of free and/or decent ketchup in all restaurants. I also learned that despite my interest in traveling, I am not the type of person that can just live anywhere. Admittedly, I felt more comfortable in Italy and Germany- more western countries- but I think I need to some extent the comfort of what I know. Moreover (and I don’t know if this counts as something about myself but we’ll put it in this paragraph) I learned the value of people- at least to me. Obviously people are important but I didn’t realize- or hadn’t thought about- how a certain person or group of people can affect a situation so severely. It’s hard to put into words but I know I couldn’t have made it through 4 months abroad without the great, albeit small group of friends I made in Prague. I also know that what consumed my thoughts more often than not was how much more I would enjoy sitting around doing just about nothing with Sean or my family or Briggy & Sunny than going out and seeing some new sight. Maybe that makes me boring or a homebody but I like to think it just makes me appreciative.
Concerning Europe, I am now very much aware that Europe isn’t some mass on the other side of the ocean. It’s varied beyond belief. Even going from Czech Republic to Germany felt like I was in a different reality. I also have found, and I know this sounds like the epitome of American arrogance, that despite those fears you hear about in Time, CNN, the Economist, etc- we really do not have anything to worry about concerning the EU surpassing the United States in terms of global order. I won’t go into great detail about it but seriously, the countries argue like no one’s business and efficiency is about 165th on their list of priorities. A great number of Europeans, moreover, are still consumed with stereotypes of each other (these leading naturally to a great deal of animosity). I don’t mean to give Europe a bad report, though. The intensity of culture and national pride was inspiring and it was in many ways refreshing to experience people who were bluntly who they were.
Finally, America. I’ve lived here for the better part of 20 years but I don’t think until I went abroad did I truly begin to understand my nation. First off, the US is simply not another country on this globe. I did not have a single conversation with a European in which they didn’t mention the US with acute awareness. Most knew as much about the US as their own country. I knew we were important, powerful, or whathaveyou but I didn’t really understand what that meant. Moreover, we are simply different than other countries. Especially in US history classes, you hear our country called the “melting pot” full of diversity. And I thought, sure, we’ve got tons of people from everywhere. But that doesn’t really begin to cover our country because when you are in Europe, you talk about other countries like we do about other states. Different histories, traditions… a different culture. And yet we’ve managed to become a solid unit with so many transcendent commonalities. I know I sound like a superpatriot but I guess I sort of am one now. More than anything, Europe taught me to love America. Despite being 300 or so years old (??? Don’t really know) , the US really is amazingly fresh and innovative compared to the rest of the world. Good job US.
So back to abroad in general. My conclusions are this: It was a great experience even if in many ways it totally blew. I got to see so much, meet great people, learn about myself, and even find a little patriotism in my skeptical self. But it was hard and I don’t know if I’d do it again. Maybe it was worth it but I still don’t think I’m at the point to really make the conclusion. It was what it was but I’m glad to be home. Seeing my family was wonderful- I love them all so much- and it’s been nice to take a breather from constant translation of my words, actions, and thoughts. And now I’m heading to DC and I couldn’t be happier to be on this plane, heading that way.
