So how was Australia?

If I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me that question over the past two months I would have approximately $12.20. I don’t mind being asked that question over and over since my trip was really amazing. But I do hate seeing the disappointed look on the faces of questioners when I give the standard “it was amazing” answer.

I know what you’re thinking, and trust me, this is not just another article about the perks of study abroad. I’m going somewhere different with this one.

During the past few weeks I have been back at Fairfield, I’ve heard students mention, and even read in this newspaper, that adjusting to life back at Fairfield University has been really difficult for them. I can’t blame other students for feeling that way because, of course, they’re entitled to their own opinions and feelings.

However, I can’t help but feel the need to use this space to try and express the way that I feel about being back at Fairfield. I think people in the junior class and the underclassmen that did not, or have yet to, study abroad are entitled to hear from someone who is happy to be back.

I lived in Brisbane, Australia, for about 5 months and loved every second of my time there. I loved the city, the nightlife, the Australians and the other Fairfield students who I studied with while abroad.

Located halfway around the world and essentially fending for myself with the help of my friends and the students and faculty at Australian Catholic University was one of the most liberating and exciting experiences someone my age should have.

I went to Australia knowing one other person, my roommate Brian Hubbard ’07. While I was in Australia I was able to develop some relationships and bonds with other Fairfield students that I’ll have for the rest of my life. It’s hard to put into words the kind of relationships you build with people when you’re away from everything you have been used to in your entire life. These people become your family for a few months.

It was for this reason I was so excited to come back to Fairfield and see those people again. On my last night in Brisbane, I thought about everything I had done and the people I had become close with. I thought about how it was never going to be the same again. At first I was disappointed that I had to leave it all behind, but as the plane was landing in Los Angeles something occurred to me: I was coming home!

Now I will be able to see my family, my friends from home and my friends from school. I was able to watch the Bruins and Celtics, eat a good piece of pizza and have a bagel for the first time in months. I was able to go back to my regular schedule of watching four “Seinfeld” episodes a day and, above all else, I was able to sleep in my own bed.

I was home for a few weeks before coming back to Fairfield for the first time and those few weeks were helpful in my transition period. I still ended up coming down here twice between returning from Australia and the start of the spring semester.

Since returning, I have not thought about how much I miss living in a big city or experiencing nostalgia about accents, scenery or trendy bars. I’ve only thought about how amazing my experiences were abroad. My thoughts have turned to how I can now have some amazing experiences with my Fairfield friends as we embark on what will probably be the two most memorable and fun-filled years we may have at this school.

Once again, every student is entitled to his or her own opinion and reservations about returning to Fairfield. If I had two suggestions for sophomores and juniors looking to go away for a semester, it would be to go abroad and have a great time and come back to Fairfield and have a great time.

I suppose when people ask me how Australia was, I can now say that it was an amazing time that I would not trade for anything, but it sure is great to be back.

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