My home for my study abroad last semester in Bath was right next to a hostel and across the street from a nightclub, Labyrinth. This might sound like a nightmare at first, but it was never actually loud enough to keep me from getting any sleep. Walking back to my house after a late night, I could hear muted laughter and music from Labyrinth. In the morning, I had breakfast to the light chatter from the hostel. I quickly came to appreciate the perpetual sound of the city, it felt like Bath moved with me as I went about my day. Even in the quiet moments there was a vibrancy underpinning everything.
As cliché as it might sound, I learned a lot about myself over my study abroad. Really, I did. I learned that I liked falling asleep to noise. I learned that some English food was actually pretty good. I learned that I’m capable of adapting to big changes. And coming back to Oberlin after a semester in Bath was another big change I had to adapt to. If I’m honest, it’s not always easy to make the living adjustments after being gone for a semester. Of course, I was thrilled to see my friends and be involved with the Oberlin community again, but still, it all felt so different. Part of me was still itching to be traveling. However, after being back in Oberlin for a few weeks now, I’d like to impart some of the wisdom that I’ve carried back with me that has been helpful in readjusting!
Go, go, go! Say yes to everything!
This is the advice that a lot of people will give you during your freshman year and yes, it still applies. The plethora of different opportunities, locations, and people that new experiences can bring us is invigorating and exciting. In Bath, I was constantly occupied by something: exploring the city, traveling within and outside the U.K., meeting the other students within my program, and throwing myself into various activities. Contrasting this with my familiarity with Oberlin, I initially felt a bit restless upon returning. After being here for three years, it can start to feel like you’ve already experienced all there is — trust me, you haven’t. Through the club fair and the posters all over campus, I’ve already discovered so many new groups and organizations that I’ve become a part of. Two student fashion magazines formed over the semester I was gone. I’ve become involved with WOBC and got to interview the owners of Oberlin’s newest restaurant, Haven Brewery. My point is: stay curious! Force yourself to discover new things even when you think you’ve already discovered it all. One of the best things you can do is to maintain the curiosity that you fostered while away.
Focus on the here and now
It’s easy to seek quick distractions to compensate for empty time and a scattered mind. While traveling, I had been so intent on taking in all the new sights that my screen time plummeted. I rarely had my phone out because I was so focused on what was in front of me. I’ve tried to keep this mindset for Oberlin. Like I said earlier, don’t mistake familiarity for tedium. We only have so much time in college. We only have so much time with the people here. I’m letting myself appreciate the walk from my dorm to Azzies in the morning. I’m taking full advantage of OhioLINK to read as many books as possible. I’m doing my homework in Wilder Bowl. I’m trying to take everything one step at a time, slowly and surely. It sounds cheesy, but the present really is what you make of it.
Reconnect with the people from your study abroad
Lastly, I don’t think I can emphasize enough how important it is to maintain the connections you fostered while away. Part of the experience was the people, and continuing those relationships will allow you to keep in touch with that time. I still regularly message with my friends and housemates from Bath. I reminisce with my fellow Obies who were on the same program. We’ve continued our abroad writing group, made plans to visit our fellow Bath alumni’s own colleges, and created new memories in Oberlin already. I may not be in England anymore, but really it’s the people I was with who made it the experience that it was.
