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Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

By anishag22

A week ago today, I finally returned back to Bristol after a month of traveling. Ironically, even after seeing so many beautiful places throughout Europe, this past week in Bristol has been my favorite week yet. The reason is simple: Returning to Bristol felt like I was returning home. I've seen six countries and 10 cities in 30 days, but Bristol is still my favorite of them all. I suppose it's a cliche, because almost everyone I know who studies abroad ends up loving wherever they go. But strolling in the sun along the harborside this weekend made me realize just how livable this city really is.

I'm absolutely emotionally attached to Bristol - but mostly because of its people. My flatmates have become family to me, and I've truly met some of the kindest people in my life here. There's a communal friendliness in the air that's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Bristol also has such a distinct culture: it's Banksy's hometown, of course, but the street art is just one example of a general laid-back, cool vibe pulsing through the city's veins.

The truth is that since I've been traveling so much recently, I haven't really had the time to properly explore Bristol like I want to. We are too often caught in the trap of school to gym to dorm and back again without making it a point to see all there is to see. That's why I am so looking forward to the end of exams:  May 30th. I get two whole weeks of leisure before heading back to California on June 14th, and I intend to do a whole lot of local sightseeing before I get on that plane to America. Even thinking about leaving Bristol so soon is devastating because I know that if I had the option to stay another semester I would do it in a heartbeat, but I just have too much to attend to stateside, academically and otherwise. Before I left America, I remember people telling me about how sometimes a semester abroad is too short - how people get attached and wish they did a whole year abroad. Well, add me to the list. My advice for prospective study abroad students is this: If you can make a year abroad fit into your academic requirements, jump in with both feet and just go for it. I promise you won't regret it.

 

Until next time-

Xx, Anisha