It’s officially less than a month away! It’s hard to explain all the emotions running through me as I try to prepare for not only my first experience abroad, but also my first experience traveling by myself. I’m most of all excited, but get waves of anxiousness and fear, which is to be expected I guess.

I have had little interaction with Latin American customs and culture in my life, so I have very little knowledge on what to expect when entering Quito for the first time. I imagine it to be breath taking (literally, at 9500 sq ft). I’ve been told it’s colder than what you’d imagine, and relatively conservative compared to the culture on the coastal side of Ecuador. Everyone I talk to tells me to expect overwhelming kindness and interest in my arrival from the locals. I’ve also been warned about the lack of the concept of personal space– apparently in America we have odd social rules on space and touching to the majority of the world. I’ve heard it’s not uncommon for people to stroke your hair or have a hand on your shoulder while talking to you, even if they’re practically strangers. All these differences make me excited to actually live them in the moment for the first time. I’m already laughing at the shock I’ll inevitably feel the majority of the time. It will be humbling I’m sure.

I hope that after I acclimate to the climate, altitude, people, and culture, I’ll be able to fully participate in every-day Ecuadorian life. I want to completely take on the culture I’m living in — Everything from taking an afternoon break to eat an insanely large lunch while socializing with family, to celebrating El Dia De Los Muertos, to speaking in Spanish with the locals with ease. I’m also excited to do some exploring. I can’t wait to see the beautiful cathedrals, Inca cites, and natural wonders like the Cotopaxi volcano that just erupted.

I guess in a little over a month from now I’ll be able to tell you if those are realistic expectations or not. I guess while I’m anxiously awaiting my travel date, this will be it for now. I’m sure there will be much more to come once I’ve actually touched down in what I hope will feel like my home away from home.

I’ve been counting down the days for sometime now. It’s quite fascinating how when you are in the moment time can feel so slow, but now looking at it, I keep asking myself where has my summer gone? With only hours left in the states I am feeling a whirlwind of emotions. At times I am ecstatic, at times nervous and at other times sad. I’m not really sure how to describe it, but I guess, it’s all finally hitting me now. I am going to be living in France for 9 months. WOW.

I’m not going to lie, I have been daydreaming about how great France will be. With all the bread, cheese and wine. I’ve tried to learn as much as I can about my host culture before I leave. I am trying to minimize the culture shock (I’ll let you know how that turns out!) As I’ve discovered in my google searches, I expect the French to be very reserved, calm and passionate. A culture that ultimately loves the finer things in life. I expect them to wear nice clothes, eat good food and overall be very conscious of their quality of life.

The most concerning part of their culture is how reserved they are with strangers. This is what makes me the most anxious about going abroad. I hope to find new friends abroad that I can share my experiences in France with. I am sure all the other international students will be eager to make friends, but I also really want to make local friends. I believe this will be the only way to truly learn the culture and their way of life. Hopefully living in a house with all French students will give me a head start! Lets just hope for my sake this is the case!

But enough of that, it’s too late in the game for concerns or uncertainties. I’ll just have to go with the flow and hopefully adapt quickly to my new home in Lyon!

Till next time,

Au revoir!

Monmouth, in the Summer (A Ghost Town)              The Famous PDX Carpet

Wow. The transition to home was pretty weird. I was sooooo excited to get back into Portland, but as I write this, I am just now starting to get over the reverse culture shock that I was feeling. I came from a bustling city into Monmouth in the summer time: a ghost town. I came back to very underdeveloped transportation. I came back to food that is very different than the food that I ate in London. And I even came back to a new apartment.

I think that coming back to a new apartment is part of what made my transition home so difficult. I came back to a room that was all packed up, save my bed (Thank you Shannon!) and had to try to feel like I was at my own home. My first night here, I woke up in the middle of the night and had a mini-anxiety attack because I didn’t know where I was at. I was also very confused about what day it was, I was a day behind for half of the week, and unfortunately missed an outdoor skate I had planned to go on.

I also was struck suddenly with the lack of public transportation here. I walked around for the first couple days, like I was doing in London, but it so much hotter here! And I can’t walk to Salem to skate. I was hit with the need to drive, which makes me sad. I very much wish that we could have and underground here, so that people would take that, instead of driving. If it was possible for me to get to my weekly activities without a car, I would love it.

The food was a big issue for me. I came back and wanted London food, but all I had was processed American food. I hate to admit it, but I gorged a little on unhealthy American food when I got back, so that I could get used to it again. But fortunately, I really didn’t enjoy it. And now I have started on a healthier diet. I lost quite a bit of weight in London, and I want to keep it off. So I have been motivated not only to eat healthier, but to get back into the outdoor activities that I love, like surfing and hiking. I am ashamed to say that it took a trip out of the country to get this motivation back, but I am glad that it worked.

Now that I am back in the groove, I am feeling better about being at home. I appreciate the things that I enjoy about Monmouth/Independence, rather than desperately wishing that I was back in London. I feel like I belong here again: this is my town, not London. I have friends and family here, and a job, and school. Of course, that is not to say that I never want to leave again! The travel bug bit me, and I cannot wait for my next adventure: are you ready for me Ireland?

When referring back to my first post when arriving in Italy, I am reminded of the panic, hypersensitivity to my surroundings, and overwhelming feeling that flooded my brain. After arriving back in the United States I was immediately surrounded by multiple family members and surprised by friends at the airport. I again felt the similar feeling of being overwhelmed and hypersensitivity about my stuff. I felt I had to do things myself because that is what I had been used to, not trusting anyone to do anything except myself. It was so good to see my friends and family and nothing made me happier but I also felt so overwhelmed with the amount of people greeting me. Later that night I felt the need to get away from everyone and just sat alone and talked with my mom. It was so good to be back in a familiar area but at the same time I went from always busy and traveling, being back home and immediately back into a crazy busy schedule. I think I still need alone time to adjust and just be comfortable. The rest of my summer is also incredibly busy and I can’t wait for school to start and my schedule to die down and start becoming a solid routine again. It is great experiencing everything day by day but I also enjoy structure in my life.

I am beyond grateful that I was able to have this experience and I’m very happy with how it turned out. I am also glad I was able to spend it with some other WOU students who are close by when I want to reminisce in the future.

When I first returned home, I was a bit shocked by the heatwave. It took a few days to get used to the valley heat, and I definitely missed the cool London summer. It was a but sad to be home. I wish the term was Longer because there is so much more I would have loved to do and see. Although I would have loved to have more time in London, I was very glad when the traveling ended. My favorite part about being back home is that there’s so much greenery to see. I do not miss being surrounded by concrete.

Finally home and it seems so different from the cool air of London!

The flight was extensively more comfortable then United Airlines. If I had to do it again, which of course I will at some point, I would fly Air Canada again. The screens on the seats were larger, the seats more comfortable, and the food was so very tasty.

Once arriving onto Oregon soil again I noticed many changes without even leaving the airport. I didn’t have to stand off to the side on the escalator because no one was trying to push past me! Many people also walked fairly slow, which was also different then the fast pace of the streets of London. Once stepping outside I noticed a clear weather change, as the hot air was muggy and unpleasant. However the one item that I missed was the CLEAN air!! There was hardly any cigarette smoke and it was lovely. I also miss the food, and how it actually tasted like real food, there are currently certain foods that I will not eat because it is not the same as the food across the pond.

Needless to say I will miss London, and I absolutely intend to go back as soon as possible!!