Uhhh…It’s been a while.

Sorry. Flay me for it.

I know I’m behind on a lot – my trips to Austria, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, plus my first few weeks of term (This week marks the halfway point of Trinity…can you see how behind I am?), but I wanted to write this quickly.
Today marks one year to the day since I left Case Western.
One year.

I had always planned on studying abroad – but I never initially planned on doing a full year. I was actually vehemently against it at first. I didn’t like Case Western my first year (for reasons that are not worth getting into) to the point where I was strongly considering transferring schools. Starting in my second year, however, things were looking a lot better. I made better friends and got closer to my sorority sisters, I was enjoying the clubs I had joined, and my classes were great. I didn’t want to risk losing that by going away for a full year. Eventually, I was swayed (thanks to my parents and my brother) and I took the plunge and applied to study abroad for a year.
And that’s how I got to where I am today.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what my life is going to be like when I do eventually return to the U.S., even more so now that my year abroad is almost over and my return to the US is fairly imminent. What will it be like to be back at Case Western? How will I feel? Will it be easy going back to a university system that I am, at this point, very unaccustomed to? Will I be able to reintegrate myself into the community? Will I be able to rebuild friendships and get back in touch with people that I haven’t talked to in a full year? How much will I miss Oxford? Will I be able to preserve the friendships I made during my year abroad?

It’s a lot to think about, and it’s honestly slightly terrifying not knowing the answers to these questions now. I can only hope that my return to the US and Case Western is smooth, and that I can enjoy my senior year to the fullest extent.

For now, though, I still have another month left at Oxford. Plus, I’m now spending the summer in Europe. And I intend to make the most of my time left.

Much love,
Tasha