How to beat the post-exchange blues

Even as you stand in the luggage check in line at the airport, it may not seem real that you are about to board a one way flight bound for your old life. The last week has probably been a roller coaster of emotions as you say your final good byes, stop at your favourite hangout spots around town and quite possibly, sit on your bed, frozen in shock that something you spent so long planning for has suddenly come to an end.

At the same time, you may be looking forward to that movie like moment of bursting through the airport doors into the embrace of old friends. Plus, the thought of mom’s cooking may have you wondering why you ever left in the first place.

For many, feelings of sadness may outweigh the joys of going back home as you have built friendships while exploring a new and awe striking world every weekend. To make for a smoother transition back to your roots, I have found a few useful strategies for getting rid of those pesky post-exchange blues.

1. Look at your city through the eyes of traveller

It seems to be a common fact that locals rarely visit the cultural gems of their city. I am also guilty of this in my own hometown, having skipped out on many of the big ticket items. Yet, if you make the effort to visit some of these places, it may give you a fresh perspective on a place that may seem uninteresting in comparison to your former home abroad.

You can even go as far checking Trip Advisor for the top rated restaurants and cafes in your area to discover a potentially new and favourite hangout spot.

I have decided to apply this tactic myself upon my return to Ottawa. As Canada’s capital, you can imagine there are plenty of sights worth visiting. Number one on my list is to go see was the Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum. The Deifenbunker is a 100, 000 square foot underground bunker built between 1959 and 1961 to protect military and government officials in the event of nuclear war. As someone highly intrigued by the world of espionage and secret agents, I don’t know why I have not yet gone.

2. Stay busy

It doesn’t help to come home and sit in your room, flipping through photos on your phone desperately wishing to go back. Get back into your old routine again or try starting something totally different. By staying active and exploring a new path, it becomes easier to transition back to your home country. If you choose to go after something new, it will keep you looking ahead to whatever exciting things the next chapter of your life has to offer.

3. Cook your friends some food from the country of your exchange

This strategy kills two birds with one stone, as you can’t help but feel comforted when surrounded by familiar friends while enjoying something that reminds you of your second home. It is also gratifying to watch the faces of those closest to you light up as you introduce them to the things you learned and discovered during your time abroad, potentially influencing them to adopt some new cultural practices into their own life.

Upon my return, a close friend, who also visited me during my time in Trento, invited me over for an Italian dinner. I decided to bring a Tuscan dish, panna cotta, a cream and gelatin based dessert. While mixing these few simple ingredients, I couldn’t help but smile as I was instantly reminded of that tiny medieval Umbrian town where I first tried panna cotta.

As we ate, we reminisced about our experiences in Italy, from climbing up to the view point over Verona to riding the cable car up the mountain in Trento where we just so happened to stumble upon a mountain car race. Despite being in Canada, it felt as though a little bit of Trento magic had followed me home as I was sharing food with a friend, taking breaks in between main courses, telling stories, and bursting out in laughter, following the Italian way.

Conclusion

Coming home after finally adjusting to living in an entirely different environment can be difficult. Yet, there is something beautiful about leaving for a while and coming back. First, there are the small things, such as the newly painted sign on the grocery store you would always shop at or an old building they seemed to be restoring for years is finally finished.

There is also something about the anticipation of seeing an old friend and the excitement of knowing that at any minute she is about to come running through that door, unable to contain her excitement as she celebrates your return. While the coming days may not be as exciting as the past few months, I feel comforted by the fact that no matter where life takes me, I always return back to two constants; my love for my country and the people who await me here.

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