A reminiscent man

Well it's only taken me three weeks to write this...but, with this being the final post for my study abroad adventure, I have no plan on what to write.  I'll probably ramble,and it might be long, but I hope it's enjoyable.

Somehow it still hasn't hit me that the entire study abroad adventure is completely over.  For four months I frequently thought about my return to the USA and how crazy it would be.  But once I landed, it wasn't crazy at all.  Everything felt normal at home, almost like I never even left.  Yet when I think about all that's gone on since leaving the country on January 19, the memories absolutely blow my mind.

I've completed a semester at a foreign university. I've traveled to 6 different countries. I lived with a foreign family for a weekend and got to see how Irish folk grow up.  I've made new life-long friends including one "abroad-bestie".  I spent 4 days in a country where I didn't even speak the same language as anyone else.  I've navigated the craziest bus map in the world in London at 2 in the morning.  I've learned to immerse myself in a new culture and become familiar with the cultural norms.  I could write an entire post just summarizing the things I've seen, done, and learned but I won't do that. 

However, I think the most important experience of my semester abroad was realizing (as anyone who has gone abroad realizes) that there is life beyond our American borders...millions of people live in different countries with completely different social norms and activities. And guess what? They love it!  I was one of many many Americans that failed to believe that people could be happy anywhere except the US.  Don't get me wrong, the U.S. is still my favorite country on earth, but I now see why there are people all over the globe that would choose their countries over ours any day of the week.

Four months ago I was extremely unsure about the whole 'study abroad hoopla' but I can look back and honestly say that I am so f'ing happy that I went I can't even describe it.  The entire experience taught me so much about myself and gave me so many life lessons it's ridiculous.  It also gave me the opportunity to do nothing but travel, sleep, play, and enjoy the occasional adult beverage for an entire season. 

I imagine that in the coming days/weeks/months it will start to hit me more that the semester is in the past.  I've been so busy getting over jet-lag, dealing with ridiculous allergies, surprising my girlfriend at school, and watching my best friend graduate college that I really haven't had time to realize that it's done.  As it starts to set in, I know I will get sad about it being over, yet even more appreciative of the time I got.  To anyone out there who is contemplating studying abroad or is nervous/excited/scared about the experience, take a lesson from me and do it without worrying about what will happen.  I promise it will be one of the best decisions you ever make.  

I have to end by paying tribute to those who made this a possibility.  To all my Arcadia friends that I've become so close with, thank you for taking care of me on a frequent basis. To my Irish roommates, thank you for welcoming me with such grace and involving me in your culture.  To one of my new best friends Mo, thank you for traveling Europe with me and being my right hand man every step of the way.  And most importantly, thank you to my parents who made this all a reality.  Without your continued support, none of this would've happened.  You do so much for me, I only hope I can pay it back soon.  I'm grateful beyond belief and your the best parents I could ever ask for.

To everyone who followed my adventures the past four months, thank you.  It really does mean a lot to see that you want to know what's going on in my life. This pretty much wraps the semester up, so God bless and happy travels to everyone! 

Study Abroad 2014 from Michael O'Halloran on Vimeo.
Video made my Mo O'Halloran

I will get around to making my own video at some point and will exchange it when I do