“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it” – George Moore
It’s really hard to believe that 3 months flew by that quickly. I remember thinking during my first few weeks here that this program was never going to end, and then I went through a phase where I didn’t want it to end, and now I’m here kinda confused at how I made it to the end. But let me tell you making my way to the end has been the most difficult part.
During the second to last week of the program, I was bouncing back and forth from panicked to sad. I was panicked because I was just beginning to realize that I’ll be home in 2 weeks. I hadn’t bought all my souvenirs yet, there were still things I wanted to do, and I knew that I would soon be stressed with all the final assignments that I had. Then I went through a phase where I was sad anytime I walked down Gloucester Road because I would think, Kensington won’t be my view for much longer. When I went to Tower bridge, I thought that this will probably be my last time here. And as I had my last Afternoon Tea, I though about how I needed to ask my mom to buy me my own tea set so I wouldn’t feel too deprived in the states. My second to last week was filled with me doing the things I never got around to doing like going to Milk Train, visiting Notting Hill, going to the top of Tower Bridge, and finally trying the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed afternoon tea. And doing the things that I knew I would miss the most.
During the final week of the program, my mood has changed completely….I went from being depressed that I’m leaving London to being so chill and even kind of looking forward to going home. I think part of this excitement may be due to the fact that I cannot wait to get back to nursing classes that do not require me to write so many papers (since I currently have 5 final papers to write). But I also think another reason for my sudden relief is because I can now say that I am completely content with my experience. I can go home at the very moment and say that I accomplished everything that I wanted to accomplish, and then some. I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, and I cannot wait to have a proper chicken caesar salad wrap. I miss taking nursing classes, even though I know I will regret saying that very soon. And I miss all my friends and family.
Needless to say, these last two weeks of the program have been nothing less than a rollercoaster ride. But I know that very very soon this rollercoaster ride will end, and I will get off the ride, turn around, look at what I accomplished and smile as I think, “It all was worth it”.
