In Spain right now one of the biggest singers is David Bisbal, who is actually the first season's runner-up of their version of American Idol (Operacion Triunfo). The first single from his latest CD is "Quien Me Iba a Decir" which means, "Who was going to tell me?" That song seems to be so fitting during my first few weeks back. I had heard that the culture shock that you feel when you go into a new country can be daunting, and some even said that you feel a similar culture shock when you come back to your home country after a study- abroad program. I never truly believed it, but now I do.

When I came back home, it was just the beginning of Christmas break and the adjustment was fairly comforting with family, friends, good food, and all sorts of home comforts. I really missed staying up talking with my mom, making Christmas cookies with my sister, watching movies and knitting with my friend, Kate, etc. As much as I felt comfortable again the next adustment was going back to classes and work. I should've adjusted smoothly and happily, but who was going to tell me that this adustment would be harder than usual? I now spend lots of time in the Admissions Visit Programs office in the new Student Center and I must mention that this building opened when I was gone and now I don't know where certain offices are. It's a little sad when I used to be such an expert on Eastern and now I've turned into a confused nomad not sure where to go for what. I find I'm rusty on tours, I'm not sure what ringtones mean what in the office phones (which ones I'm supposed to answer) and I couldn't even set up the projector for the welcome presentations if I tried. Why did so much have to change while I was gone?

With all this change, though, comes opportunities to learn and grow. I've learned now how truly beautiful University Park is (now that I have a gorgeous view of it every time I'm working), I'm reaquanting myself with the great faculty in the political science department, and I'm also becoming familiar with the glorious food that is Sbarro's. Sure, there are lots of other changes that have had more of an impact on me, but it always seems to be the little ones that are having the most apparent daily effect. So many thanks go out to friends at Eastern and friends/co-workers in admissions who continually show patience with my confusion and struggling readjustment. It's certainly throwing me back to my first year at Eastern, but it's something that we all go through at various times in life, whether it's welcomed or not.

So, now I will go back to the reading on the Cuban Missle Crisis I have for my International Law class as well as trying to describe to people exactly where the Office of International Students is. David Bisbal still articulates the feeling of not being fully alerted of the coming confusion, but I bet it won't be as hard as I fear.