Little Homesick

Hello All,

It is interesting to be on exchange and discover what things are really missed from home and what things really aren't.

Firstly, before I delve in, look at how beautiful the park by my house is. Belgium gets a real Autumn, unlike back home. I'm in love with how green the grass still is despite all the orange leaves.

Can't help but smile on days like this.

Just out of sight is a little bit of a fountain :)

Now back to it:


The number one biggest thing that has been a hassle for me on exchange has been the time zone difference. It really sucks being 8 hours ahead of everyone back home. It can create quite a challenge when trying to establish effective and efficient communication with family, friends, ULeth and being at opposite ends of a work day is a little isolating. It also gives me the illusion that my body clock is wrong. Although I have adjusted to the time zone change physically, mentally I feel like my life is off by 8 hours.

For example, and a silly one at that, I really miss the grocery stores from home. The selection here is quite minimalistic by comparison. True, they don't necessarily have all the junk we have (which is a positive) but they are also missing a lot of things that I would consider to be basics. The baking aisle is practically non existent - not that it matters because the pans here are such weird sizes and shapes - and random weird little things are just missing altogether. I can't find black beans. All the breakfast cereals have chocolate in them. There is only one brand of peanut butter but twenty different versions of nutella and speculoos (a ground cookie paste). On the bright side, things do seem to be less preserved here. Or at least they appear to go bad faster.

I think a lot of the angst I'm feeling in this moment in time is due to not being able to truly settle. A lot of life's little conveniences aren't worth purchasing because I'll just be leaving them behind in two months. Don't get me wrong. I really enjoy living a simple life but there are things you need as a student, like a printer, that I really miss.

And of course I miss all your lovely faces. It is absolutely without question that home is wherever your family and friends are and no one can come close to replacing them. It's been really fascinating to see which exchange student families spring up around you. I have a handful of really close friends that I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life and a million acquaintances that I'll never see again. The inconsistency of it all is both exciting, but in moments like this, somewhat lonely.

Lastly, as amazing as it is to be immersed in French and taking classes, it can be a little tiring to not be gaining proficiency as quickly as I would like. I read a quote today that was something to the effect of, "Only in the United States do they believe you can learn a language in 2 years". The underlying point is very true. It took me 20 years to get as proficient with English as I am now. I can't expect to rush French when I haven't looked at it in 5 years and have never seriously attempted to learn it. It is really cool though to see which basics have stuck from primary school. The RDL teachers have provided a pretty solid foundation.

Even when I reflect on all the things that will make me so happy to return home in January, I can't help but be amazed every single day by the life I'm living. For example, I have plans with friends to visit Flander's Fields on Rememberance Day. The following weekend I will be in Stockholm.

Ridiculous, right?

Jacqueline