I think this has been the longest summer I’ve had on the books. It feels like ever since I was young, towards the end of every summer I have always had the same sentiment of, “man, summer flew by.” But this time I feel I have had a genuinely long and fruitful summer. I remember my first feelings of coming here, a combination of fear and excitement turned to awe and speechlessness.

Now some 10 or so weeks along I have come to know the city and feel it more personally than I ever expected. I spoke halfway through about the expectations I had and if I fulfilled them.

I think I have done a thorough job of getting to know the city, and the past two weeks I have certainly done a good job of understanding the history of the city a little more recently. I have explored more museums the last few weeks of my trip than the entirety of the summer combined. I think it might be me grabbing the last few bits of the town on my way out.

I must say, however, I have become quite homesick the last week here, especially after seeing mostly everyone I have shared this experience with leave. Thoughts of family and even the familiarity of the culture back in the US is what makes me miss my time back home so much. I think being confident that no matter where I go back home and whatever context, knowing that I will most likely run into someone who speaks english and shares the same experience as me will be comforting.