What if I don’t want to go home?

Published on by Juliet ELeave a comment

Okay, so maybe they were right. Maybe all those former study-abroad students I spoke to before coming to Argentina weren’t crazy. They would go on and on about the life-changing magic of their experiences abroad, and in the same breath, they would remind me – or rather warn me: reentering the U.S. would likely be a difficult transition, maybe even more than leaving home. At the time, this didn’t make much sense. I was anxious about studying abroad. I wasn’t entirely confident in my language skills or in my ability to make friends, adapt to culture shock, or deal with homesickness. (The list goes on). There was so much uncertainty surrounding study abroad and it scared me. There was no doubt that I wanted to go to Argentina; but I also really, really wanted to come back. I didn’t understand why the transition back to regular American life could be so challenging.

And now I do. My anxiety blinded me from imagining just how wonderful life abroad could be. I pictured myself struggling through all the potential hardships and it overshadowed my ability to picture myself enjoying the marvels of studying abroad. Now that I’m actually here and having the time of my life, I truly get it. I understand why so many of my friends had a hard time returning home. 

Some of that Argentine sunshine

I am very conscious that I only have six weeks left in Buenos Aires. I’m doing my absolute best to take advantage of this time, but I’m already starting to dread leaving. I’ve built an entirely new world here and the fact is I don’t want to abandon it. I don’t want to abandon my wonderful new friends, my host mom, my cozy little room, the incredible Argentine sunshine, or all my little rituals that I’ve worked so arduously to establish here. Somehow it feels like I just got here, like I’m just starting to find solid footing in Buenos Aires, and just as soon I have to leave. 

Although I won’t know for certain until I land in Denver, I’m predicting that the hardest aspect of my homecoming will be adapting to my usual life of responsibility. I have endless free time here. No job, no homework, no family duties. I do whatever I want and I adore it. My life back home is far from humdrum, but it is demanding to keep up with all the obligations of student life. Besides, I will miss the culture here. The pre-study abroad version of me might not have believed it, but I will miss being surrounded by Spanish. I will miss the languid Argentine lifestyle, their love for asado, and their lively conversation. I’ve been living like an Argentine for months now. Just as it was difficult to upend my life and move abroad, it will be difficult to shift in reverse.

However, I think it would be a mistake to expect this reverse culture shock to be dooming. I can’t wait to go home and be able to hug my boyfriend, eat chicken tikka masala, and sleep in my own bed with my own pictures on the walls. I can’t wait to spend a white Christmas with the loving family that I’ve missed so much. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my experience in Argentina, it’s that I am adaptable. (Something about what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?) When I left the U.S., I worried I’d never survive in Buenos Aires. Now here I am in Buenos Aires worrying I’ll never survive in the U.S. Things will be just fine. And anyway, I still have a month and a half to live out the rest of my Argentine dreams; I’d better use it well.

Great Eats & Better Drinks

Published on by jillianec516Leave a comment

I will admit I was a little scared of what I thought would be a majority of the local food at restaurants, but the food selection in stores and restaurants is honestly super diverse. The desserts and coffee have been my personal favorites to try out. All different region’s cuisines are available around the city, some more authentic than others. The Mexican food I’ve found here is probably the furthest from actual Mexican food, but the Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian food has been the most genuine in taste. Some of the more local Czech food I’ve tried has included dumplings and fried cheese, both very much bringing a comfort food feeling. KFC, Mcdonald’s, Subway, and Starbucks can all be found in the city center, with a slight change in taste and menu items. The sit-down meals I’ve had here in Brno have all been delicious, with fresher ingredients, and better than a lot of the fusion food in the U.S. The amount of Kebab I’ve consumed since being in Europe has been immense. There’s Kebab on every street and most are open late to feed the club and pubgoers.

The Czech Republic is the country that drinks the most beer in the world per capita and is quite literally cheaper than water. The country has a history of brewing beer going back to the 6th century, and the pouring style for the optimal amount of foam has been perfected by many here. Eye contact while toasting “Na Zdravi” or taking shots is done by everyone, if not that means bad luck, or some people claim it’s bad sex for 7 years. Burčák is a “young” fermented fruit wine, which is popular to buy in liter bottles at different stands in the city center. I’ve learned that when you buy a bottle it has to be finished within a day or two or it will go bad quickly, so it is perfect for sharing. Each week there is karaoke and parties to attend at some of the clubs within Brno hosted by the Erasmus Student Network. I’ve gone a couple times but they feel somewhat redundant. Instead, I’ve ventured to other spots with some friends which has helped with exploring Brno after dark. These nights usually end with a nice walk around beautiful architecture, a Kebab from Turkey Kebab, and the N95 Bus back to the dorms.

food n drink collage
Food & Drink Collage from various restaurants and cafes in Brno, Czech Republic. Including a picture of the burčák bottle.

Back in the dorms, every couple of days my roommate and I have our friends come over and we all take turns cooking dishes that belong to each of our countries and watch a movie. It’s interesting that none of us are from the same country so we all have different meals that we can contribute that make us feel closer to home while sharing with others. I enjoy how wholesome it is that we all actually want to cook for each other even though our kitchens are tiny. Food is truly a way we can express how grateful we are for each other while teaching each other about the traditions we have at home.