After spending the past four months in Europe, I expected my summer at home to be very boring.
My semester abroad was full of adventure, new experiences and spontaneity. The thought of living back home seemed overwhelmingly mundane.
But now that I’m actually in the midst of it, it’s given me a lot of time to reflect and realize assimilating back to life in the U.S. is an experience of its own.
Most of my friends are scattered around the country at their respective summer jobs, and there’s overall just not a lot going on in my area — besides the World Cup.
But this has made me realize that even when I’m in the most comfortable setting — which in this case is the neighborhood I was born and raised in — there are always going to be uncomfortable moments.
Coming back home didn't mean I stopped growing. It just meant the challenges looked different than they did in Madrid.
At work, I’ve been meeting so many new people in a professional setting. Everything I've learned abroad about meeting new people, exuding confidence and being friendly is something I’ve utilized at my job. I have been way more comfortable introducing myself to other interns and colleagues than I would have been six months ago.
And while, yes, playing Scrabble most nights with my parents can be considered boring, it’s comforting to come home to.
Overall, it has been nice being home — especially when I’m out to eat and don’t have to pay for water or a seating fee. Or just sleeping in my own bed.
I do miss the walkability, the environment and the prices of Madrid. When I had to fill up my gas in the U.S. for the first time since coming back, I was dumbfounded. Luckily, it’s a little better now.
Even though I’m not thousands of miles away anymore, growth never stops. It can happen even in the places where you think you’re most comfortable.
Contact Shaine Davison at sdavison@alligator.org. Follow her travels on Instagram @shaine_in_spain.
Shaine Davison is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in environmental science. She has previously served as the editor of the enterprise desk and reporter for university and sports desks. This semester, she will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
