Post-Study-Abroad-Culture-Shock-Syndrome

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” 
― Robert Frost

Pay close attention to the "real feel" temperature."

I've officially been home for one month now and it's been a whirlwind of transition. At this moment, as South Dakota's temperatures have met near record lows (note the "real feel" temperature in the photo to the left), I'm missing sunny Greece more than ever.

The month before leaving Greece, I started to get really hyped up about dealing with the post-abroad-culture-shock. I tried to prepare myself in every way possible: telling myself what it would be like, talking about it, scheduling future coffee dates with friends, researching coping strategies, and reading other blogs. But in the end, it was simultaneously smoother and more shocking than I could have expected.

On the one hand, South Dakota has been my home my entire life. My body knows what it is like to live here. The cold was not much of an adjustment for me. The culture here is everything I have grown up with. My first trip back to Walmart was just like my last trip to Walmart. Whatever. But on the other hand, everything has a slight different color. The taste in my mouth is off.

My second day home, I stopped at a friend's house for a cup of coffee and to see a couple people. Everyone was very sweet, asking me to teach them a few Greek words and what it was like being back. But it wasn't long until our faces became glued to a Facebook newsfeed. Conversation turned to everything I've missed since I've been gone. It suddenly overwhelmingly felt like I never went to Greece, but like I had rather been in a coma for 4 months. I began to grasp what this particular brand culture shock would be like and I actually started to cry a little bit. We didn't talk about it though - I couldn't unscramble what was going on in my head. The next day, I went home to my parent's house for Christmas where I got wrapped up in preparing for the holidays and didn't really touch the subject of Greece again. Every other coffee date following felt like an investigation on my part to discover what all had happened since I'd been in my abroad adventures/undead coma. My friends aren't the same and I'm not the same. I dyed my hair blonde to try mirror my internal changes. Probably a horrible decision on my part, but whatever. It could be a limb.

Family Christmas. :)
Me - Matt - Liz

I had my first day back at school today and though I'm super stoked to see my friends, there is a part of me that still feels a little lost. I keep wanting to ask people how their summer was - as though Fall semester at USF didn't happen. But it definitely happened. Without me. Which is ok. Probably the best and worst way in which I changed from my time in Greece was the realization of how incredibly small I am. In my perspective, in my endeavors, even in my size (if we're looking at like, the universe I mean). I say the "worst" not because it is a bad thing, but only because it is hard, you know - letting go of one's ego. Even though it's for the better. The only negative result is that I'm finding it a little more difficult to relate to people at the moment. But I'm sure that will pass soon, once everything gets back in full swing. My roommate tells me I'm much more mature than I used to be. Another friend said I'm much more "Zen." Perhaps the two go hand in hand.

Anna and I on our last plane home.

But I'm all settled in my new lovely little apartment in which I have a comfortable bed (FINALLY) and lots of personal space, kitchen utensils, and quiet time. After living out of a suitcase for three and a half months, I've been learning a lot more about how much we actually need. TIP: It's not a whole lot. And makes moving/cleaning/organizing much easier then it has been in the past. However, I'm still struggling to simplify my daily life quite as much. I forgot how scheduled everything in the States is! Even on days when I only have a couple of errands to run, the pressure of time still makes me grind my teeth and that "Zen" quality is slowly being chipped away. No idea why that is, but I've started doing Yoga. Thanks, America.

*twenty four hours later*

First day touring with University Singers and it was great! Though it was weird to walk around campus later and not be recognized or know who people were. Trust me - it's a very small school to not recognize others in... though I'm sure the new hair color doesn't help much. People assume I'm a transfer student. :) However, in general, things are going much more in the up and up. But I still think it's important to share what I wrote yesterday as a resource for what post-study-abroad-culture-shock-syndrome can feel like. TIP: I'm told the best way of coping is by writing about it and talking about it. Again, I thank you all so much for reading! Perhaps I'll get around to sharing my experiences from Turkey and Epidaurus someday - I really hope I do. But for now, I'm back in the theater and choir and preparing for KCACTF and the Spring Semester. Started a new book with my sibling book club and planning on going home to see my parents much more often this semester. Things are really looking quite good. :)

All my love,
Debbi

PS: My friend Mariah made a video collage of studying abroad from her perspective. She's got some gorgeous footage if you're interested!