Back in the United States

     It's been just about a month since I have been home from Oaxaca. It's cliche but words really cannot describe the experience I had and how grateful I will always be for the opportunity. A big thank you once again to SEBS International Programs, I would not have had this opportunity without you guys.
     There has not been a day that has gone by that I haven't been thinking about Oaxaca. When people talk about reverse culture shock one might not think it's real at first but trust me it's a real thing. I came home and felt really weird. Everything felt off and I didn't like the difference. I didn't want to eat for a few days because I missed the food and didn't want to go back to eating American food. I missed Oaxaca so much and still do every day. Those first few days home were pretty rough. Not only was I so exhausted and then a little sick but all I wanted to do was to go back, I didn't feel like myself. I felt really bad when the third day I was home someone asked if I was happy to be home and I struggled to say yes. Not that I wasn't but all I was thinking about was how I wasn't in Oaxaca anymore and I didn't like that at all. But after a few days it got better. Now I try to look on the bright side of things instead of thinking about how much I miss it. I now have this awesome feeling now that I have another home and it's Oaxaca. There is no doubt in my mind that I will return there.
    I will always carry a piece of Oaxaca with me. I look forward to the day I return there and also the day I visit so many more beautiful places around the world. I never had thought Mexico would be I place I would ever go or love so much. Well I was wrong because I fell in love. Because of that I want to see and visit so many more places that I previously had thought I would never be interested in because now I know the possibility is out there to meet so many amazing people and go places and experiences things that can so easily change your life.
     Oaxaca taught me so much about itself and about myself. I learned I should dive into every situation that presents itself in my life. How will you every know if something was worth the risk if you don't take the dive? I learned that I should not be afraid of putting myself in new situations because I can handle so much more than I can ever imagine.
     This experience also helped to shape what I see myself doing in the future. First of all, after this trip I will now be pursuing a Spanish minor. I feel in love with the language. I also realized how valuable learning another language is and how much it can broaden your horizons when you know multiple languages. I would love to someday do something that requires me to work internationally. I want to be able to travel and meet as many people as possible. My dream at this moment would be seeing myself be fluent in Spanish and working in International Public Health Law creating and working on policies for Central and Latin American countries. My mind changes a lot so that could change in a week, but this experience had encourage me to reach higher than I though possible.
     Well I really could go on forever about this. My Junior year is approaching and I will be returning up to New Brunswick soon. I am very thankful for the large Oaxacan community in New Brunswick and the delicious restaurants and markets will I will be able to get all the food I have missed. I may still not be in Oaxaca anymore, but I am so glad there is a part of Oaxaca in New Brunswick and now in my heart for the rest of my life. Adios!

- Lindsay