Author: namugganakayiza

I am now a third-year student at the University of Denver. This is my second time studying abroad. My first time was spent in Thailand and my second study abroad experience is in New Zealand which I am very excited for. I am an International Studies and Sociology double major and I love to travel. I have been a traveller since I was younger and this is truly a passion of mine.

Nervous about going back to Denver

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Hello DU Study Abroad Blog,

Tomorrow, I leave my home in California to return to the University of Denver after 6 months of having not been in Colorado. I am excited to come back to school because there are so many people I haven’t seen in a long time. I’ve missed my friends, my professors, and Colorado’s beautiful sunsets. I am NOT excited about the cold weather. Thailand had such lovely weather and returning to a very dry cold climate scares me. I hope I don’t freeze. It’s also going to be a huge transition back into a routine with so much coursework. I am not ready to have an essay due every week. Anyway, I shall see you all soon!

Best,

Namugga Nakayiza

This was journaled while I was abroad but due to limited internet access, I couldn’t post them at the exact moment. Recorded on 1/6/24.

Coming home :(

Published on by namugganakayizaLeave a comment

Hello DU Study Abroad Blog,

Today is the day I return to the U.S. after 4 months of being away. I extended my time abroad by a few more days so that I could do some personal traveling before returning home. I am actually feeling sad because I have to say goodbye to all the people who have become my family. As previously mentioned, I’ve never been good at goodbyes so today is a very hard day. I feel as though I have just become accustomed to the Thai lifestyle which makes leaving super unfortunate. I have just become comfortable with having a conversation in Thai, I know my way around Chiang Mai like the back of my hand, and I have found family in the local people who have watched me grow from the shy but curious young girl I was. I don’t like that I have to leave it all behind, but this means I now have reason to return so I couldn’t be any more grateful. I am afraid of what the U.S. holds for me once I return. I feel like everything is going to feel super foreign once I get back. Will I be able to not speak Thai? Will I feel lonely now that my newfound community will be a distance away? Is the U.S. going to be too fast-paced for me now that I have experienced life in Thailand? These are all the questions I have.

Best,

Namugga Nakayiza

This was journaled while I was abroad but due to limited internet access, I couldn’t post them at the exact moment. Recorded on 12/21/23.