The Travel Bug is Real: Reflections on a Great Semester
Written by Kevin April 29, 2016
Being back in the United States is an odd feeling. The time abroad went by so fast it feels like I almost never left. At the same time when I walk around the same places I’ve called home for the last 20 years, I know I have been gone. It all just feels a little different. First of al,l I’ll start with the obvious everyone speaks English as their first language, which I have missed almost as much as my family, friends, and, of course, my dogs. It is great to speak at a normal speed or not have to constantly ask “Parli inglese”. Also, although I enjoyed the technology break, it is nice to be able to have a cell phone that works wherever I go and to have internet that lets me watch Netflix without waiting for it to buffer. It is nice to be back with my family and with my friends and catch up on sleep (a lot) in my own bed. But after a week of catching up on sleep, I think I am officially ready to go back.
It really has just started to set in as I think about all of the places I was able to go in the last few months – 12 countries in one semester, I am still shocked at all I was able to see and do. Being back at home, I want to just talk about my experiences to anyone will listen because I still so excited about everything. I feel like I am showing my pictures, postcards, and stories to anyone who will listen and even I know it’s probably getting somewhat annoying. I think I officially have caught the travel bug. The funny thing about seeing so much of Europe is that it only makes me want to see more – not just of Europe but the rest of the world. I know so much more about the geography of both Europe and the rest of the world which only makes me want to see more.
Studying abroad with CIMBA was one of the best decisions I have made. I knew it when I was in Italy and, now that I am home, I think it has set in even more. I had an incredible semester and cannot wait to get back to Europe and continue to travel.
Blogger: Kevin, Clemson University
