Hmmmm

So, I have been back in the US for over a month now, and while I didn't think it would affect me, reverse culture shock definitely exists. Life here is just so mundane. While seeing my friends and heading out to my favorite places is a blast, I feel like there is something missing. When I was abroad I was constantly being challenged and experiencing new things like never before. Here, everything just seems ordinary.

I have tons of reading to do for this week, and yet I have spent the last hour or so figuring out how I can get back abroad. Australia, Latin America, Africa or Europe again -- I don't care. There is so much of the world I have to see and it is soooooo frustrating that I can't just leave my studies behind and follow my dreams. My cousin, Jeff, was a wanderer after college. I always admired him for his way of life, and now I understand why. I have grown up in the US for 20 years and I am so aware of the fact that there is so much more and so much better out there.

I have looked online at study abroad programs, volunteer programs, and internships for abroad, but I just don't think it will happen this year. Between my need for real world experience and lack of funding, going abroad this summer really just isn't feasible.

Hopefully this summer I will be able to get a paying job and save up. And then next year I will try to get a job at school in order to help cushion my back account. I don't know where I plan on going next, but I know that the minute I graduate I am going to need to get away for a while. I need to explore more. I need to see more. I need to experience more. There are so many stories to be heard and places to be seen. I just hope that I can wait a whole year and a half before I can partake on some more adventures!