Reverse (College) Culture Shock

Shelburne Orchards

Currently living in my townhouse with a five minute walk to class, its surreal that this time a year ago I was getting everything ready to apply to go abroad. I still haven't gotten past the fact that I'm home and not going back to Spain. Everyone who's back from abroad can agree with me that we could sit and have a three hour conversation of all the amazing things we got to experience abroad. We could babble, relate and share so many stories. When we got home we were sent a package from Saint Mike's that included a pamphlet on "reverse culture shock". You wouldn't think that you would have so much culture shock but I feel like I'm going through round two of it. When I first came back to the states I remembered how water is free at restaurants and that everything isn't within walking distance.

Also for the first time in a long time, I feel settled. When I got home I was constantly making plans and working so I was still moving ten thousand miles a minute. Being back at SMC with a set schedule and knowing that I am living here for a FULL two semesters makes me feel settled and not constantly moving. I don't have to live out of my backpack but rather my townhouse. Its a complete lifestyle change with a transition I did not plan to recognize as much. My lifestyle in Spain was amazing and I could not describe it to you in one sitting, and the same goes for my lifestyle at SMC. I live with and a couple doors down from all my friends which is awesome! You don't realize how beautiful and great where you live is until you leave for a bit of time.

I forgot how amazing fall is in Vermont, and how much there is to love about living here. Prime example, SMC is great about you getting out into the community for assignments. A lot of classes aren't fans of the whole "never get out and see the world" mentality of learning. This past weekend we were asked for my Multi Media Reporting class to cover an event live. My friend Suze and I decided to go to the Bee Here Now festival at Shelburne Orchards this past Sunday. Our friend Kelsie had never been, so the three of us ventured to Shelburne. Once we got their I immediately remembered how gorgeous Vermont was. Driving to the orchard you see a awesome view of the mountains near the Shelburne Museum and when you get to the orchard, its nothing short of adorable. It rained on the event but there were still people discussing how important bees are to the ecosystem along with picking some good apples! Being Kelsie's first time there, we naturally went for a tractor ride. That moment when college kids are on a tractor ride among a bunch of cute rain-boot wearing kids with bags of apples.

I mean where would you rather learn, in a classroom or out at a Bee festival at an apple orchard? I think so too. Trust me when I say during the fall, get outside. Yes when winter comes there is skiing and snowboarding to be done but for now go for a hike, pick some apples and hangout outside! Vermont is too pretty in the fall not to!

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