Erinn Goes Abroad

“I have always loved both the freshness of arriving and the relief of leaving…” -Gerald Locklin

The start of 2012 seems like the ideal time to write about the conclusion of a wondrous year abroad. I’m back in Atlanta, in the state of Georgia in the USA. Being back felt a bit strange at first but it’s funny how quickly the dust settles and one falls into a semblance of normalcy again. I find that I still love this city. I like the view of the skyline when I’m driving south on I-85 and the buildings boldly jagging into the clouds. I like the familiarity of the street names and all the friendships rekindled as if no time passed at all. I don’t feel like a stranger here… well, mostly. When I walked up to my old university today I felt like I had awoken from a dream that seemed so real it could have happened. Visceral but foreign. Like Deja vu… or it’s distant cousin.

I’ve also been surprised by several things. I was warned that I would be and the discomfort I might feel would be called Reverse Culture Shock. For one, I had forgotten about the behavior around consumption in the USA. It seemed particularly prevalent during the holiday season. I’m noticing how much people buy and how little they recycle. I’m reminded about one of America’s strongest virtues, convenience, and I’m not sure if I value it the same way I once did. I also notice how vividly Christian values permeate American society. I intend no criticism with these observations but they are certainly food for thought.

Now that it’s been about a month since I’ve left New Zealand, I’m beginning to look ahead towards my next steps. I have abstract ideas about what I want to do, but now it’s all a matter of execution. At the moment, I’m relishing in the chaos that is currently inhabiting my mind. According to the Georgia State University people I spoke with today, I’m set to graduate in May. That’s something to look forward to!