The four stages of post-study abroad depression

Once upon a time, I woke up and decided to fill out an application to study abroad for four months in a different country. Before I knew it, I was  embarking on a journey that has brought some of the best memories.

Everyone tells you to go abroad, step out of your comfort zone and  “experience the unknown.” Ultimately it sounds nice and adventurous (which it is) but no one tells you about this brutal aftermath that comes with it. POST-ABROAD DEPRESSION. It’s very much real people, and it’s very sucky.

We’ve documented the four stages to help you work through them. 

Shock

One day you wake up and find yourself saying goodbye to every family member as you are preparing to get on the plane that will start your journey away from home. And then before you know it, your journey is coming to an end and you find yourself at your terminal waiting to board a plane back to the U.S.

You spend the night before trying to enjoy every single second and also making sure your apartment is in perfect condition so you can receive that security deposit you forgot about. This stage came in one big wave as I looked out the window to the rainy day outside and realized it was really over. I was returning home.

Depression

This stage hit and it hit hard. I remember sitting in my seat on the plane next to my friends and just going through every single picture I took in those four months. For some of my friends this stage didn’t hit until a few weeks later when they realized that it was officially over. Being away from home is something very difficult but adjusting back was something I didn’t expect to be. Boy, was I wrong.

‘I hate everything’

Man, is this one scary. Describing this stage is like trying to explain to someone how you felt when you were younger and you wanted candy for dinner but (of course) your mother said no. You’re annoyed and you don’t understand why. For a while, following the Depression Stage, I went through this phase. I would look at everything and anything and compare it to what it would be like in London. I would make it sound 10 times cooler.

How does one travel through Europe and attend so many clubs and have to come home and settle for Moonies? Where’s the second floor? All I wanted to do was be back in London – and believe me, it showed.

Acceptance

After a couple long excruciating months, this stage finally settled in. It came to me when I arrived at school and reunited with all the friends I made abroad. We sat in the living room to my apartment and watched all the SnapChat Stories I had saved while abroad and just joked about everything.

While I can put most of my abroad experiences into words, I can’t express how thankful I am for the people I met. At the beginning of the trip we started as strangers, but soon became close friends. Throughout roaming the streets of London and exploring various cities, these people were by my side for it all.

You have to  understand something about studying abroad that you didn’t fully recognize before: it’s meant to be temporary, and that’s what makes it so special. It’s in our human nature to make the most of an experience when we know it has an expiration date on it;I loved my time abroad. I love the people I’ve met, especially the friends I’ve made. Sitting here, in the United States, at college, in my room,  I’ve realized that as much as I wish I could go back and relive the whole experience again, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to change any of the memories I’ve  made for they are ones that will stick with me forever.

London will forever hold a special place in my heart and there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll return, but for now ithaca will have to do.