Ruminations in the airport

12/17/12

As I sit here in the Manchester airport waiting for my flight to Dublin I’m starting to reminense about my first semester at Sheffield. I went back and reread some of my old blog posts and realized how glad I am that I made them. It’s great seeing where I started from and where I am now.

The beginning of the semester was indescribably difficult. Starting over in a brand new country; literally on my own for the first time ever. I was so lost the first few weeks. Having to plan out meals and time to do laundry and all of those adultish things I had never really done. I’m proud to say I can now cook a multitude of dishes, as long as they only have 3 or 4 ingredients. I have mastered the art of getting on and off the Sheffield tram. I now look the correct way for cars when crossing the road. Standing in a long queue is nothing to me now. While I still don’t consider myself an adult (and hope I never do), I’m beginning to full grown up for the first time in my life.

I think for me the hardest part of this is going to be going home.  It’s kind of like reverse culture shock. I’ll miss being able to walk where ever I need to go, or hopping on the tram. On the plus side I can now legally drive a car, so that’s nice! I’m planning on a Christmas drinking game where I take a shot every time someone asks me how England was.

I have met such amazing people this semester. Some of my good friends are from all over the world, well Europe mostly but it counts. I love hanging out with all of them and hope we can go traveling next semester.

And yes the classes were hard, harder then I honestly expected it to be. I look back on how much I’ve learned this semester and am honestly amazed. Hopefully next semester will be less intense, so I can you know, breathe.

I have loved every moment of my time abroad. There were some hard times, but I expected there to be. It was sad leaving my apartment this morning knowing I wouldn’t be back for a little over a month and a half.

So Sheffield, thanks for the memories and see you in the new year .