It’s hard to believe that in a few days I’ll be on a plane heading back to the states. Leaving here feels bittersweet, because although I’ve had the time of my life, I’m ready to see family, friends and familiar territory once again. I will definitely be back to the UK at some point in my life, that’s without a question. Whether it’s for a job or a family vacation, I see a plane ticket to London in my future. I’m wrapping up this last week with a proud feeling in my chest, knowing I’ll always be able to return to this global city and point out my old flat.

Though I can’t say for sure, I may return to live in London full time for a stint. If I did, I’d wait until I had enough money to find a flat in Shoreditch. My favorite part of London, Shoreditch inspired me with every visit, and I could absolutely see myself waking up for tea and a tube ride out of Liverpool Street station every morning. One of the major problems of living here is the cost, as prime positioning within the city would be a major expense. I’m rich in this hypothetical though so it’s cool.

A life in London would give me plenty of time to explore different neighborhoods I never had the chance to see. My favorite website to stay in the know, Secret London, would remain open at all times on my personal computer. I used this website to find events around the city, like pop-up art exhibits and new restaurants.  My fridge would be perpetually stocked with HP sauce, and I’d be all caught up on the latest shows on UK Netflix (If you like The Bachelor and you haven’t seen Love Island, you’re missing out). I would fully embrace the stereotypes, eating beans for breakfast and maintaining a fashion-forward wardrobe.

I think the worst part about living overseas would be living far from my loved ones. This has been the biggest challenge for me, and I’m not sure how I would handle being away for more than a semester. If I ever left the US for a long time, I would be doing a lot of facetiming and flying so I could stay in touch with the people I care about. I think I need to do a little more growing up in the states before I leave the country for more than a few months, but this study abroad experience was a great challenge for me, and there’s not a single thing I regret. If I could go back in time I’d do it all over again!