Now, here is a subject that I haven’t brought up yet- and as we’re nearing the end of the first part of our emotional journey together, perhaps its time.
Homesickness.
Homesickness is a natural reaction to living abroad. I don’t think that on all of this great big beautiful earth there is a person who loves Italy as much as I do, or was so motivated to come here. But sometimes its hard.
I was recently with my Mother in Switzerland, where we have a cousin who lives near Lugano. My cousin Elyse is someone who, even if she doesn’t know, I always remember admiring as a youngster. Elyse was that brave American who picked up and moved across the ocean at a time when people well, didn’t. Anyway, when I was young, I remember looking at Elyse like Ellis Island Immigrants would look at a banana for the first time. Oddly exotic but something that I knew I wanted to try. I looked up to her, and thought, if she could make the move- maybe I can too one day.
Anyway, we were in a beautiful piazza enjoying a caffè freddo and my Mom asked Elyse if “America just seemed like a distant childhood memory”. Good question- and the kind of question that my Mom was asking in part to gauge my reaction.
“Yes”, Elyse answered, strangely enough yes.
This brings me to my point (long winded as always but here is my point). When I moved across the ocean, I had every intention of staying here forever. I love the life I have created around work, friends, my apartment, my neighbourhood and my city- but fundamentally, I am an American. Do I want the first 23 years I spent in the US to be a footnote to my life- or, do I want this experience to be a chapter of my personal history?
Then there are the stupid things- I’ve had a craving for a Chiptole burrito with corn salsa and steak for about 3 months now, with no way to cure myself. I even tried to have said burrito integrated into my blogging contract here to no avail. I really miss Bravo reality TV- Top Chef and Project Runway, and while these are minor things that arguably mean nothing in the long run, sometimes the accumulation of small things can make you really miss the normalcy of life on Long Island.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Being abroad- even when it hurts
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4 comments:
Hello there!
I can relate to the homesickness while living abroad. I spent 3 months in Spain, and I think that homesickness is definitely something that was completely out of my control. It all of a sudden hit me when I realized that I was no longer going to speak English while I studied in Spain. The concept seemed normal before I left home, but once I was walking around the Spanish streets, I realized just how “foreign” things were! Later on I would see something on the street that reminded me of a friend, or I would visit a place that I knew my mom would love, and I would again be homesick! I realized that I had to embrace the opportunities that I was presented with, and face the approaching challenges even though I was miles away from both my home and regular life. Being in a different country taught me to practice and learn the language, to stay in touch with family and friends through email and blogs, and to accept cultural differences. All in all it was an amazing experience, and I was really happy to overcome my fears of being so far away from home. What do you do when you miss home (other than miss those yummy Chipotle burritos? ) to keep yourself active and positive?
Hey Jessica,
Stay tuned for another blog about my homesickness so to speak. If I'm ever really homesick, which frankly hasnt happened- its more of food cravings that bring me back- I like to remind myself of all the opportunities I've had here. The wonderful friends I've met. and those things that I craved when I first went back to the states after studying abroad. I love Chipotle burritos- but I also love Buffalo Mozzarella!
As for friends, I always imagined (when studying abroad) that they were having a blast without me- doing great things- until I realized that life goes on- and while they might have been having fun- SO WAS I! So there was no real reason to harp on things.
If living abroad now for a combined 3 years has taught me anything- its to embrace the opportunities that life presents you- because its better to have thrown everything out there then to wish you had 30 years later...
Hi Lydia!
This is the first time I have read your blog. I am preparing to spend 11 months teaching English in Greece. I leave in August and plan to return in June of 2009. I have studied abroad (in Florence actually) as part of my college experience and can identify with the Bravo tv craving. Despite my limited budget I allowed myself to download Project Runway episodes from iTunes. It only ended up costing about $30 but it was money well spent (if you're like me and can watch the same episodes again and again). Safe travels as you return home!
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