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Dear CBU: Letters
from England
Entry #8: Re-Entry: the Ups and Downs
Correspondent: Sally Lynch
Senior at CBU
Natural Science Major
English/Psychology Minor
Hometown: Covington, Louisiana
(45 miles north of New Orleans)
When my plane touched down in New Orleans, I was
really apprehensive to get out of my seat. I wondered
what would happen if I just kept my seatbelt fastened
and stayed aboard; would I end up back in England?
Probably not, I'd probably be labeled as crazy and
physically removed by some big guy with a badge named
Bubba. Needless to say, I got off the plane.
Seeing my family did relieve some of the stomachache
that had been bothering me since Saturday morning.
The knots from saying goodbye were still tight. I
hugged my parents and my sister, and I said a few
words about my trip, but since I had been so dubious
in keeping in touch with my family while I was away,
there was not much to tell them that they did not
already know!
As good as it was to be home, I still felt pretty
lonely for the first few days. I kept busy, though,
and made sure that I did not focus on missing my
friends. This is a very important technique in
traveling, either abroad, or returning home. I find
that keeping busy in any way that you can helps you to
adapt to the new (or re-adapt to the old) environments
faster. Keep your mind on what's around you, and you
don't have time to think about the loneliness that you
might be feeling. Because I had left for England
about a week after hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans,
keeping my mind on the things that had and were still
changing in my neighborhood and in my family was
easy...plenty to think about and plenty to do.
Coming back to CBU was fantastic. I was very happy to
see how everyone was, and catch up on what life was
all about in Memphis. I will advise that future
students remember to take their time when returning
home from a semester abroad; give yourself time to
breathe and to become reacquainted with your old
friends, and even your family. Life doesn't stop
while your away, and as much as you want to tell your
friends and family about your travels, it is very
important to remember to ask about how their lives
have been, and to listen to what they have to say.
Don't get frustrated if you get lonely for your UK
friends, it probably will happen at one time or
another. Just email them, find out what's going on
back at "home," and maybe think about getting a phone
card so that you can hear their voices. It makes
things much easier when you know that everyone is
okay, and it reminds them that you have not forgotten
them. It is also critical to remember that the
friends you leave behind will also miss you, and you
owe it to them to continue to reach out and be there
whenever they might need you. This is especially
important if you are an upper classman who is housed
with freshmen, which is often the case at Edge Hill.
Try to remember what it was like as a freshman to
have met new friends whom you came to depend on; it's
the same thing for these UK students, so when the
Americans leave, it is often harder for them to say
goodbye.
Thanks to everyone who welcomed me back so warmly, and
to all the students who made the journey with me
through reading my entries! I appreciate immensely
all of the support from Dr. Forsdick, Dr. Burke, and
all of the CBU faculty who helped me and gave me
advice during my time away from home. It is wonderful
to be home, and I hope that my entries have inspired a
few, brave students to take the risk and study abroad.
It can be the greatest adventure of your life.
Read Sally's Entries!
Entry #1: Hello to all my fellow Buccaneers back at CBU!
Entry #2: Subtle Differences
Entry #3: The A's, B's, and C's of Studying Abroad
Entry #4: Travel Tips
Entry #5: Q and A Session
Entry #6: The Countdown Begins!
Entry #7: Saying Goodbye
Entry #8: Re-Entry: the Ups and Downs
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