Rollins College Home

R-Journals Home
Apply Now! Meet Aditya Meet Brittany Meet Daniel Meet Jenn Meet Omar
Meet Shannon
Admission R-Journals Feedback Campus Web Cam

R-Journals

Back to R-Journals home

Home Again

January 27, 2008

Returning from four months abroad is a strange experience. It’s sort of like coming out of the water after spending an hour in the ocean. Your body has become accustomed to the rolling of the waves and, when you leave them behind, you still feel your body moving to the same rhythm.

Readjusting to the United States was a similar sensation. Beyond jet lag, I had trained myself act in certain ways in Australia that were not typical in America. For instance, I had spent four months telling myself every day to walk on the left, whether it’s on the road, on the side walk, or on an escalator, everything is on the left. Switching back to the right has been more difficult than I expected.

I’ve also picked up a number of new words and phrases that are now natural to me, but I often have to explain to others. Past these small adjustments, though, I’m very excited to be home. Some of my fellow classmates pine for the excitement that filled their lives back in Australia, but I personally am very excited for what lies before me.

Driving through New Zealand.The Australia semester begins in July and so ends in early November, earlier than the Rollins semester. On the way home, my girlfriend, Alex Winfree, and I spent a week traversing the North Island of New Zealand through an optional lay over in Auckland. We were able to climb a mountain, see the kiwi bird, float through a glowworm cave, and relax in a hot spring. We had an amazing time and made the most of our time in the South Pacific.

Since I live only 20 minutes away from Rollins, I had arranged before I left for Australia to continue my work study job on campus when I returned in November. I work at the Modern Languages Office for Ruth Jackson, one of the best bosses you could ever ask for. Although I enjoy my job, I was even more excited to see all of my friends on campus, some of whom I hadn’t seen in six months. eing back for the last six weeks of their semester allowed me to catch up and reconnect with the Rollins community for an easier transition back to school.
Reconnecting with friends.

Over the break, my family spent a week in Fort Walton Beach near Pensacola in the panhandle of Florida. I was also able to visit my girlfriend in Jacksonville and went with her and her family to visit historic St. Augustine, both of which are less than two hours away. One great aspect about Rollins’ location is that within two hours drive are both Atlantic and Gulf beaches, more than eight major theme parks, historic and cultural attractions such as St. Augustine, Gatorland and the Orlando Science Center - and natural attractions such as Wekiva Springs State Park and Ocala National Forest.

Following my return, I’ve had the opportunity to visit different parts of Florida and keep the spirit of exploration I picked up in Australia alive.

R-Journals is a program sponsored by the Offices of Admissions and Public Relations & Communications. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Click here to send your comments.

Daniel's R-Journal archives: