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The Semester After Study Abroad, As Told By Parks and Recreation

Rebecca Sorensen
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Allie Maniglia
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

Coming back to campus is tough after studying abroad, but lucky for us, the Pawnee Parks Department understands the struggle.

 

1. Your excitement to see your friends again.

You had a great time abroad, but you missed these people every step of the way.

 

 

2. The honeymoon phase of being back at school.

College is where the heart is, and you couldn’t stay away for too long.

 

 

3. But you’re also sad that your semester abroad is behind you.

It’s a weird combination.

 

 

4. Finding out everything you missed while you were away.

What TV shows are popular, who broke up – you’ve missed a lot. Sure you were having the time of your life, but now you’re months out of the loop.

 

 

5. Getting used to school food again.

Having tasted macaroni and cheese in Switzerland and lasagna in Italy, going back to eating these things out of a box is an adjustment you were not ready for.

 

 

6. Everybody getting annoyed by your stories.

They wanted to hear it the first time, but now they’ve had enough.
 

 

7. Perking up when you hear someone talking about abroad.

Did someone say Europe?

 

 

8. When someone rolls their eyes once you start talking about your semester abroad.

“Here she goes again…”
 

 

9. Having to get used to a culture you’ve somehow become unfamiliar with.

You only spent a few months abroad but sometimes it feels like you don’t understand the place you once knew like the back of your hand.

 

 

10. Trying to get used to an insane workload.

It was too easy to get used to those easy abroad classes. Going back to a rough workload and serious classes is going to be an uphill battle.

 

11. But ultimately, you’re back in your element. And it’s time to kill this next year.

You’ve got this, collegiettes!

 

 

Credit: 1

Becky Sorensen is a senior at Penn State, double majoring in Public Relations and Political Science. You can find her on campus with an iced coffee in one hand and an everything bagel in the other. Clear your schedule before asking her how she feels about the Harry Potter series, New York City, or about the next trip she’s planning - she tends to ramble. Loudly. You can follow her at @beckylalalaa on Twitter and @beckysorensen on Instagram for hilarious puns or her undying love for THON and Penn State football.
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Allie Maniglia served as the Campus Correspondent for Her Campus at Penn State from 2017-2018. She majored in public relations with minors in international studies and communication arts and sciences. If she's not busy writing away, you can find her planning her next adventure (probably back to the U.K.), feeding an unhealthy addiction to HGTV or watching dog videos on YouTube.