Honey, I'm Home!

A Week Back in the Land of the Free

One of the many souls I am so happy to have met during this program, Kassidy. 

At 4:20pm a week ago I was landing in good ole Lincoln, Nebraska anxiously waiting to give my Mommy, Brother, and Grandma huge hugs after three months of running around Europe. I had been gone for 85 days, seen 19 cities, and experienced 10 different countries. My time in Europe was absolutely life changing. I read all the silly buzzfeed and TSM articles about coming home completely changed from your experience abroad, but I could not have ever imagined what I would see or the experience at the beginning of my trip only 3 short months ago. I have rewrote this blog over and over in my head this past week, and at the beginning wanted to claim that I hadn't changed from my experience in the Czech Republic, but after my week at home I am slowly realizing that I have. My brain will forever have the countless memories from my time in Europe and I know they will continue to shape me in the future. I know that I can survive a day without wifi(but even after being disconnected those were still rough days), I'm not intimidated by traveling, and I'm not as nervous to receive a menu in a foreign language and just point at something and hope for the best. During my time abroad I noticed the different ways our group embraced the culture. The thing that saddened me the most on our trip was how much we all seem to talk down on this wonderful country. A foreign friend simply mentioning something unique to Europe immediately enduced a response from some about how horrible that thing was in America. I found myself discovering things I loved about Kearney and this beautiful country, not that I want to stay in Nebraska forever, but just recognizing what I actually do love about it was refreshing. During my flight home Sami and I sat next to a couple that spoke almost no English, due to the flight being United States bound the flight attendants spoke only English so they were next to no help for the poor couple. Being the person who had just been the outcast who didn't know the language of the country I was visiting I was concerned and frustrated with the couple as they tried to communicate what they wanted to the flight attendants. I slowly realized how difficult their trip the United States would be. As much newfound love I had found for our country while I was away, it was brought to my attention how un-foreign friendly we are. Landing in Minneapolis all signs were in English, there was absolutely nothing to help anyone who spoke any different language. The people that worked in customs only spoke English and when they were addressed in a different language their only response was to talk louder to the person who didn't understand our language in the first place. Experiencing this made me so very grateful for the numerous signs I was able to follow while making my way around Europe, and the kind souls we found everywhere that spoke our native tongue. I completely understand that the United States truly doesn't have to be as diverse due to our country being the size of Europe and all of us speaking one language, but I truly hope that other international airports(maybe bigger ones) have a little bit more assistance for our kind visitors from other countries that just want to experience our wonderful country. 

Adjusting to Being Home.

Ryan, Mommy, and my Grandma Eunice greeting me at the airport

In my time home I have attended five musical rehearsals, worked 10 hours at Old Navy, and choreographed two numbers short of an entire show. Typical Brianna jumping head first back into my crazy theatrical life. My first two days home, and through this  first week, I was asked numerous times 'How was your trip' and 'Hows being back in the US?' I apologize if you have been someone to ask me these questions, because they are incredible difficult to answer. My trip was indescribable, there were ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade those three months for anything. I'm not sure how I feel about being back, yet. I love being home in my big bed and seeing familiar faces, but for some odd reason I feel like I am outside looking in. I somewhat feel like the new kid at school. I think I expected that life was just on hold here while I was gone and that I could just jump back in to everything like I had never left. I feel a little like I wasn't welcomed home. I didn't' expect a big welcome home party or millions of people waiting to greet me at the airport, but it's strange to me that everyone wanted to say their goodbyes but not many has wanted to say their hellos. Please don't take this the wrong way(for the 10 people that read this) I'm only reflecting on my one week home and I know the world doesn't revolve around me, it is only an observation. While I was gone I also realized how much I value my alone time and the support of my Moms (shoutout to my real Mommy, and LB) and of course the ever snapchat famous Dayna. They were always up for hearing a 'cool' story or letting me vent a little bit. Constantly being around twenty five other peoples personalities and feelings was an adventure, but it was so amazing to have created a life long bond with such a large group. It has only been a week I'm still not 100% sure if I've realized that I'm actually not on another weekend trip to a foreign land, and I know I will go through so many more emotions as I adjust back into my wonderful life here in The States, but as of now this is what's circulating in my brain. Ask me tomorrow and it could be totally different. As I have stated so many times I am forever grateful for the experience I had and it has inspired me to look into MFA programs overseas so maybe next time you see pictures of me running around a foreign country I could actually be living there! Until then I can't wait to find fun and new experiences here in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

European traveler Brianna signing off!