Culture Shock: Adjusting to Life After Europe

My panorama of the Cliffs of Moher

It's been 6 months since I've ben in Ireland and I am really beginning to deal with homesickness for Dublin.   I miss walking around busy Henry Street and hanging out at the Porterhouse and getting a pint of  Porter Red.  I miss having the ability to just take a plane and land in a different country every weekend, and I miss going window shopping in one of my favorite stores, AWear.

My friends are now planning on going  next semester and I am speaking at the pre-departure meeting and  talking to parents at admission events.  This is making it even harder for me. I need to go back!

Don't get me wrong, I love being back home and seeing my friends and family, and I'm glad to be back in Burlington, I just miss Europe and my time there. Going to class everyday amused me so much. on my journey to class I would pass the old city wall,  Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral all on my way to class!  I also loved that  energetic buzz in the morning that everyone has when they are walking to work. The women either ditch their heels for sneakers or speed walk in heels and the men are wearing perfect  matching suits and still looking perfect. 

I also miss having the people of Metro News hand out the morning paper with abbreviated news. "Maybe you're just meant for the city?" is what my friends say  Yes I love big cities, they excite me and are full of hidden gems, but Dublin is something different.  the fashion is another thing. I would walk around and get so much inspiration on new outfits  that I can add to my wardrobe. In Vermont the styles are more on the laid back side with a lot of skinny jeans and flannels, and baggy sweaters. Dublin had this magic that I am really missing right now. 

Here are some ways I’m “trying” to get over this situation:

1. Watching movies that take place in Ireland. It’s nice seeing where I was for the past year, I try to watch historical movies but a chick flick every once in a while isn’t too bad. I currently have that earning to travel.
2. I’ve currently had the desire to travel much more. So for that I am reading the book This Car is For Sale by Jeroen Van Bergeijk. This way I can at least read other people’s experiences.
3. I look at AWear’s website and read their blog. Here I can read up on current fashions, and tell myself that even though they now ship to the US I shouldn’t buy everything I see on there.
4. I still listen to BBC Radio 1 but I also listen to Dublin FM 98FM on my iPhone, thanks to the free live streaming app!
5. I talk up to anyone and everyone I meet to study abroad, if not to Ireland, then to anywhere in the world. It’s the best experience and a great opportunity for you!
6. Every once in a while I go to RiRa’s an Irish pub located in Burlington, and order a Smithwicks and argue with my friend that the “w” is silent.

With these steps, I can at least miss Dublin but not sulk over it. Today I took my yearning to go somewhere by heading downtown and going to  a coffee place to do my  homework. If anything I need a change of scene.