It is very strange being in America. I have had a culture shock upon returning home and this is very odd to me. One of the things I was looking forwards to most was being able to watch a movie or TV show and being able to understand what they were saying. On one of the flights home they played the new Iron Man movie. It is funny because while in Italy I watched some of the TV there and I was always like “These shows are ridiculous. They are sooo dramatic.” And yet I couldn’t even watch the Iron Man movie because it was so bad, which is surprising because I love superhero movies. I found it to be really dramatic and the fact that they were blowing things up every second was stupid. Not to mention the guy in the movie was so sarcastic and arrogant in comparison to the passionate Italian men who are in tune with their feelings, that I was used to.

People are friendly here as well but they don’t seem as sincerely concerned or interested in you as a human being as Italians are. Italians are very trusting and don’t doubt anyone’s sincerity.

I miss not really having access to the things that we consider necessities in the states: clothes dryers, air conditioning, and television/internet. I grew accustomed to not having these and without them you find better ways of living your life and entertaining yourself. I would not have bonded with my roommates, or been as willing to venture out into the town had we had more access to these things. Americans are very spoiled.

Travel here isn’t as enjoyable. In Italy to get anywhere you travel by foot. If you are wanting to visit a different town in Italy you hop on a train and it is very easy and convenient. To get anywhere in the states you have to drive a car. I am living with my parents for the remainder of the summer and we live in the woods and a 20 minute drive from town. It is so challenging adjusting to everything and no one here truly understands what I went through. I really miss Italy, but I am sure I will adjust here in time.

And there are things here that I did truly miss while in Italy: free water, my family and boyfriend, being able to easily communicate with someone and having them understand you instantly, steak and other american food (although I am missing Italian food now…), and many other things that this proud country has to offer.

My flight from San Francisco to Portland (home)

Gift from Shane upon arriving home 🙂

My sister (Traci) got a puppy!!!

I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to study abroad in such an amazing country with such amazing people. And to return to such an amazing country with such amazing people. Life is good 🙂

-Jolene Johnson