the end is near

Like Megan, I am ready to go home.

Last semester, when I told people I was going to be studying abroad in Italy, a common reaction was, "Oh no, you're never going to want to come home!" I admit that I occassionally (ok, frequently) thought the same thing.

Growing up, I was always so fascinated by Italian culture-- the history, the fashion, the laidback lifestyle. I wanted nothing more than to buy a villa in the Tuscan countryside and spend the rest of my life swimming in red wine and pasta. I never imagined that, after living here for nearly 4 months, I would find myself missing American culture.

I miss the familiarity. When I think about returning to the US and the 30530 things I have to do, my brain automatically goes into Italian-speaking mode. How am I going to tell my hairdresser that I just want a trim? How am I going to make an appointment to get my teeth cleaned? But then I remember, both the hairdresser and the hygenist speak English. Yes, English! I never thought I would miss my native language so much.

I also miss my to-do lists. And the consumer culture that is the United States. I miss my pre-pasta body. I miss my queen-sized bed and down comforter. I miss dancing around Melissa's dining room table with my best friends. I miss my daily, grande Pike Place coffee. I miss seeing Kevin blow me kisses from the window when I drive away from my brother's house. I miss going to Sendik's with my mother on Sunday mornings and wandering around aimlessly for at least two hours. I miss the Madison farmer's market on Saturday mornings. I miss, I miss, I miss.

I am unbelievably grateful to have Sara here with me and to have shared in this experience with her. To have grown in this experience together and to always have someone here who knows exactly what I'm thinking. It's comforting to know that, whenever I miss Italy, I can call or text her immediately, and she'll know exactly what I'm feeling.

I suppose that's the "Catch 22" of the studying abroad experience. Live in a foreign country for a few months, grow as an individual, learn about a new culture, etc... but also realize how much you appreciate where you come from and the people you love most.

Admittedly proud to be an American,
Jen