Leaving Prague was the happiest and saddest thing I’ve ever done. The true definition of bittersweet. While the thought of returning home to my friends and family was wonderful, I kept thinking about all that I was leaving behind. In the last three months I visited Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, England, Hungary, and Austria, and I left a piece of my heart in each of these places. It feels like I’m leaving behind a huge part of me. But I know it’s important that I return. I need to make sure that I make traveling a priority in my life, because it brings me so much happiness. When I first got to Prague, the adjustment was hard and I missed my loved ones all the time. But home will always be there. I am grateful that I had to opportunity to live and study in such a wonderful city. I’ve met some of my best friends and I have traveled a small portion of the world with them. These experience will stay with me forever. On my way to the airport I kept questioning if it was worth it going somewhere, if it hurt so much to leave. When I stopped crying and became rational, the obvious answer is yes, it is worth. I don’t exactly have the words to sum up how I feel, so I’ll end with a quote about how it feels to leave study abroad;

“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for knowing and loving people in more than one place”

End of the day, it’s worth it!

Thank you Umass Lowell, thank you everyone who allowed me to experience this. It’s been truly wonderful.