So what now? Coming home after your time abroad.

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us." - Anonymous 

Once you travel abroad, your perspective changes. Returning home can be a difficult process for some people, as they have become so attuned to traveling and the experiences that they have encountered. Of course we miss our family and friends, but sometimes you aren't quite ready to come back to reality yet.

There are many different ways and processes that people go through to adjust back to daily life after traveling abroad. The process of adjusting back into the swing of things is different for each individual. It is like reverse culture shock. You become so used to traveling and that type of lifestyle, even if it is for just a short period of time, that it takes time to be used to being back home. No matter what, home won't be the same...it isn't that home has changed...but rather you have. There are countless ways that traveling abroad affects your life, so bringing these aspects back home will make a difference. This post is going to look at some of the different ways/things to do to incorporate your travels abroad into your life.

First off, you are probably super excited to share all of the aspects of your trip. I found that one of the best ways for me to go back over my experiences was to make a photo album of all of the pictures I had taken. Because of this, I will have my experiences documented forever so that I can return to look at them anytime I feel a sense of nostalgia about traveling. This can be a big help for people who want to
preserve these memories.

Your friends and family are going to be excited to hear about your travels; however, as exciting as all of the small details are to you, they may be less interested in them. It is important to keep in touch with people that you meet on your trips, as you shared and encountered many life-changing experiences together. Other travelers will understand your love for talking about your trips, and it can be important for a traveler to reflect back on them.

Also, reflect on the experiences that you loved so much about your travels. This may mean reevaluating your job, or the current place that you are in your life. If there are new passions that you discovered while traveling abroad, make sure not to just forget about them when you return home. Integrate these aspects into your daily life and you will see that even though you are not traveling, you can still incorporate these activities into your routine.

Traveling abroad can also have a big impact on your future employment. Make sure to put your travel experiences on your resume. Many companies now look for people with international experience. These experiences don't mean that you have to be fluent in another language or 100% willing to move abroad for a company; instead, it shows that you have a global awareness. You have seen other cultures, have a curiosity to learn, and experienced (and hopefully embraced) cultural sensitivity. Be proud of your experiences abroad, and make sure to share them both on your resume and talking about them in interviews. Your experiences help to set you apart even more.

Overall, keep traveling. The experiences that you have encountered by traveling abroad have a tremendous impact on your perspective of the world. Traveling helps each of us to grow and change in ways that we wouldn't be able to endure otherwise. Keep the open mindset that you have gained from your experiences. Whether it be learning to enjoy more of the little things at home, meeting people who are different than you, or traveling abroad more, thanks to your travels you have a broader and more unique view of the world. Make sure to use this knowledge to make your life, and others' lives, even better.

"Di viaggiare è vivere." ("To travel is to live.")

Arrivederci!