<p>I wanted to kind of create an offshoot of another thread where I sort of shifted the thread with my senior daughter's experience, but I think this topic is very important for families where a student is either already abroad now, or will be going abroad for the spring semester. </p>
<p>To recap - D1 spent spring semester abroad in London, in a fantastic program through Syracuse. Syracuse has one of the largest abroad programs, with many of their students cross registering through their own universities that don't offer such comprehensive programs. She mentioned lots of other schools where students came from.</p>
<p>D2 visited her in late March, and I visited her in mid-April prior to her coming home the first week of May. We had somewhat regular contact, but not nearly as much as we do when she's in the states. She had the time of her life - it was her first experience living in an apartment (flat), but handled it superbly. Her flat living was one of the reasons I kept my mouth shut when she said she wanted to return to her sorority house for her senior year, because otherwise I would have encouraged her to have an apartment living experience prior to leaving college (I think it's important, if feasible). </p>
<p>I knew her transition home would be challenging, aside from the fact that while in Europe, she was of legal drinking age, and when she came home most of her friends had turned 21 and she hadn't (by the way, today is her 21st!). I remember her calling us from La Guardia and telling me that she cried when her plane hit the runway because she missed London so much.</p>
<p>Within a few days of being home she also told me that she had been told by a number of girls who sought out counseling after they returned to the states after studying abroad, because the adjustment of being back home (especially if you return home, and not to your campus) is so, well, depressing, and they experience such grief at the life they lived, including the independence (and believe me, she has all the independence she wants at home, but she's living in a house with two parents and a little sister). </p>
<p>She did manage to find a comfort zone at home this summer, although it took some time, but looked forward to returning to school last month. But I think what happened was 'life went on without her' at her campus in Syracuse, and it took her a couple of weeks to realize the dynamics had changed, new friendships had been made, exclusive of the students abroad, and she had a setback. I truly think this is what her call to me earlier in the week was about - a call with a sound of deep sadness and homesickness. In hindsight, and with some suggestions from CC parents, I was able to put this all together, and now can offer a listening ear with new insight. </p>
<p>My point here is to give parents a heads up to any future discomfort that your student my experience upon their return. It's a reality that took some time to bear out in my daughter's life, but was an issue that one of her sorority sisters did kind of imply when she mentioned how many kids seek counseling upon return. I applaud the kids that do reach out for a professional to help them get through the transition - and I trust my own daughter that if she thinks that would be helpful, she will seek it out.</p>
<p>Despite all this, I highly, highly recommend study abroad programs! Do not read this and think, "I don't want my child to have to go through a painful transition upon return." It's such an incredible experience, and even the struggles they face upon return are an impetus for more growing up, just a different kind of lesson.</p>