Everything at home is just as it was before. As if I never left. I arrived home, met my family and my best friend, and the very next day I went to class. And that's it. Every day is just study, study, study.

Returning to my usual life, I realized it has become unusual. My internal clock is still stuck in the American time zone, and in my dreams, I constantly see the people and places from that other life. Months later, you realize that you aren't a cook anymore, but a student; that the people around you aren't Romanians or Americans, but Russians and Uzbeks; that the green bills in your wallet aren't dollars, but sums. And if I had the chance right now, I would go back to June 4th, when it all started. And honestly, I wouldn't change a thing. I would live it all over again exactly as it was. After all, those were 18.5 unique weeks during which I traveled through 11 states, went into debt and paid it off, cut my finger and healed it, put out a fire (yes, I haven't told anyone about that), swam in two oceans, met so many nationalities, and saw many beautiful and simply interesting places. And I also learned that Americans are strange in their own way—you can buy a 45.7 cm machete in a regular store for $8.99. I mean, is that normal? :)

I don't want to say that it's worse here. No. Home is home. Home will always be sweet home. But you can ask where I would like to spend every subsequent summer of my life. Although you already know the answer.

I'd rather be in Glacier national park.

And why did I write all this? I have no idea. Unfortunately, I had little time, as I only found out about the blog 2 days ago, so I spent the last 24 hours at my laptop, typing non-stop and recalling my stories. I poured my heart into telling these events. Even if not completely, at least a part of it. And I want to believe that all my mistakes, caused by the haze of emotions I was feeling, will help newcomers to the program be more careful and not repeat them.

Remember that you are going to a foreign country where you are on your own and you will have to be responsible for your actions. For every single action. That is what independence is.

But still, if you suddenly mess up and feel like you're weakening... Here is the Main Tip #21: Never Even Think About Giving Up.

To be Continued.