Reflecting on Fall 2022: What it's like coming back from a study abroad experience

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Me in a University College London T-Shirt

Reflecting.

Every time I hear this word, I think about the song Reflection by Christina Aguilera. I heard it for the first time in Mulan and was obsessed with it for most of my formative years.

So, who is it that I see, staring straight, back at me? I always think about how I’ve changed over the course of a semester, what I’ve learned about myself and how I approached life during those stressful 13 weeks.

To top it all off this time, I just came back from my study abroad! No one really talks about what the transition is like post-studying abroad. Coming back to UMass Amherst, readjusting to the curriculum and generally just trying to live is a bit different now that I’m back.

So, here are my reflections on Fall 2022, hopefully in a way befitting Aguilera’s lyrics. 

The classes 

I don’t think I’ve perfected a study method that is the best fit for me. I always have a concoction of work styles that I try out, and finding the right one is something I’ve been working on for the last few years, abroad or not. 

I will say though, I did get a smidge better with my studying style when I was in London, and I felt like I was finally getting somewhere.

Then I came back to UMass, and had to start all over again. I know I already did three semesters at the university, but since two of them were online and at home due to the pandemic, it was really only one, which meant that I was getting used to classes and coursework at UMass again. It was also hard because the classes here in Amherst had a lot more assignments and were structured differently, and since it’s junior year, they were a lot more advanced as well.

However, it wasn’t all bad. Learning in another educational system helped me get more versatile with my studying techniques, so when there were times I was feeling lost with my academics, I tried out whatever techniques I used in London and it worked! 

So it really did add to my skill set, it was just was a bit hard at the start when I came back, but I was fine by the end of the semester. 

Social Life

Now, before I went abroad, I’m glad I had some solid friendships in place because as soon as I came back, it felt like I was never even gone.  In fact, my friends and I had a lot more content to gossip about now that I had a whole semester away, so it wasn’t as jarring as I expected it to be. I had a little bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) when I was abroad, but it all settled down as soon as I was back.

I guess the only thing that I think about is all the possible friendships I could have had, people I met in the last few weeks of Fall 2021 who I, potentially, could’ve been closer to if I stayed. Then again, I met some amazing people in London who I still talk to today, so in a way, it balances out.

"Learning in another educational system helped me get more versatile with my studying techniques, so when there were times I was feeling lost with my academics, I tried out whatever techniques I used in London and it worked!"

Overall Feelings

All-in-all, I’d say it was an average 'Mahi' semester with a hint of readjusting added to it. My usual work ethic concerns were now combined with trying to get used to living in Amherst and taking classes at UMass again, so it was a little spiced up this time, but other than that, it felt great!

The only thing I can say is that change is only constant. I’m glad I went abroad and came back. It was hard at first, but it helped me get used to changing environments, and now as I move around more - from Boston, to India, to Amherst, and other places - it doesn’t feel as hard to transition. 

There you go! All my unfiltered thoughts about this semester that nobody asked for. See you at my next blog!