Hi everyone! As I write this final post, I'm reflecting on how far this journey has taken me. What began as a space for moments, ideas, and reflections has evolved into something much bigger: a record of growth, challenges, and small victories. Closing this chapter feels bittersweet, but also right. This isn't only an ending — it's a chance to pause, look back, and carry these lessons forward into whatever comes next.
Returning to the U.S. after being abroad has been more complicated than I expected. I thought I'd slip right back into my old routines at UO, but instead it feels like I've come back as a slightly different person to the same place. Walking through campus, everything looks familiar, yet I find myself noticing the differences: how fast people move, how casual conversations feels, and even how loud the restaurants seem compared to cafés abroad. There's comfort in being back with friends and in spots that feel like "mine," but I also catch myself missing the slower pace and little daily adventures I got used to while I was away. Reintegrating has been a process of realizing that "home" doesn't stay still while you're gone, and neither do you.
In some ways, returning was even harder than arriving in my host country. When I first landed abroad, everything was brand-new: the language, the streets, the people, the routines — and the excitement carried me through the overwhelming feeling. Coming home, though, I had to fit a new version of myself into familiar spaces, which was unexpectedly harder. The mismatch between who I had become and what I came back to made reentry feel more challenging than the arrival.
Studying abroad constantly stretched me out of my comfort zone. I had to navigate public transportation in another language, ask strangers for help, and learn to be okay with not always being in control. Those moments, while scary, ended up being the most transformative. They taught me that I'm far more adaptable and braver than I thought.
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Studying abroad also made me rethink my identities. In my host country, I sometimes felt invisible in ways I don't at home, and other times, hyper-visible. Both experiences led me to examine how I move through the world and how different places shape how my identities are seen. Returning to UO, I carry this awareness with me, changing how I connect with people and create space for different perspectives.
If I could give advice to someone with similar identities who's on the fence about studying abroad, I'd tell them to go. It's intimidating and there will be challenges, but those are the moments that shape you the most. Studying abroad doesn't erase the complexities of identity, but it make you more aware of them. It gives you the tools to navigate the complexities in a new way. The world is so much bigger than campus, and stepping into it can be life-changing.
The transition back hasn't always been smooth, but I've found ways to make it easier. Giving myself time, staying connected to my experiences through talking and photos, and weaving little habits from abroad have helped me stay balanced (there's been lots of cooking). Friendships needed adjustment, too, but connecting with people curious about my experiences has made the return feel less lonely. Especially with those I travelled with.
Coming home is its own kind of journey. It doesn't mean leaving behind everything you gained, it means carrying it with you, letting it shape the way you see UO, Eugene, and even yourself. If anything, this return has reminded me that both home and I are always changing, and that's a good thing.
Lane Abraham, Diverse Ducks Ambassador