Missing you already, London...

My final thoughts on London... it's almost unbearable to think about. My semester abroad is coming to a close and it's a bittersweet moment. I keep getting conflicting emotions. One moment I am thankful that I am going to be flying home soon, the next I am almost in tears when I think about leaving this place. It's strange to think that just fifteen weeks ago I was at home, nervous and anxious about boarding the plane to Heathrow Airport. Now, I will be boarding the same plane, but heading in the opposite direction. 

Goodbye London...

London was always the fantasy city for me. The place I always wanted to travel to, the place I always wanted to live in. This opportunity to study abroad was screaming out to me and it would have been stupid for me to ignore it. Four months was all it took for me to realize that London really was all that I thought it would be, and so much more. Actually, four months isn't right. It only took me a week. Within that week I was still trying to get over the fact that I was actually living in a different country; it was the adjustment period. After that, after I was comfortable, I was able to explore the city and find the wonderful qualities about it that originally drew me into this country. At first it was only a far off fantasy, but NYU made it a reality.

I honestly couldn't begin to tell you about the most rewarding aspect of studying abroad here. To be sentimental, it was everything that was rewarding. There where some difficult times, but then again, there where some unbelievable times. To travel with friends, to live in a culture so far and different from my own, it was unexplainable. I think for anyone to truly understand what a student who studies abroad experiences, one must simply take part in it. Its a difficult experience to sum up into words. You can only know by living it. 

Before I studied abroad, I made an effort to hear from other students about their experiences through the program. The one thing that was a recurring topic was the impact I would have when coming home. Everyone stressed how differently it would be, how I would have to adjust once I got back to New York. At the time, I didn't understand, but now that I have been away for four months I can understand what they meant. It's something I can not explain, but London and New York are so different that it can't possibly be easy to get back into the swing of the city. I am actually nervous for my transition. 

I can't come up with anything to change during my semester abroad. It was a truly enjoyable experience and I have come away with some great friends and some unforgettable memories.