AMELIE SEDLACK / FEATURE EDITOR

Toreros are back on campus for the spring semester. Whether they were gone for months after studying abroad, or only a few weeks, returning to USD brings challenges as well as benefits. Study abroad is a program many Toreros look forward to participating in, but many don’t talk about the struggles that come with returning to campus. 

Going abroad for a semester, as many students have experienced, requires a cultural adjustment to the new country, as well as a readjustment upon returning. Many students returning to campus after being abroad for their fall semester shared their challenges of readjustment.

USD sophomore Rienzi Fernandez went home to spend time with his family over winter intersession and shared his thoughts about returning to campus. 

“It’s definitely been really cold out here, but I think I really love the sun and being able to see the spring weather again,” Fernandez said. “Classes have been pretty great so far, and I love my schedule, but I also have been enjoying being able to see my friends again. I think it’s just seeing some of my closer friends because I definitely missed them throughout the break and being away from San Diego.”

Second Year Experience (SYE) and other opportunities to study abroad take place over the winter intersession. Toreros who returned from these abroad experiences expressed challenges adjusting to their new routines rather than a cultural shift.

USD sophomore Mitchell Belokopytov returned from a winter intersession class in Costa Rica and shared how he has been adapting to being back on campus and what he missed while away. 

“It feels great being back and seeing different professors and seeing all the people I missed,” Belokopytov shared. “It definitely is an adjustment though. I did come back from intersession so it’s like the vacation kind of part. [Coming] back to the school is definitely very challenging, but I’m glad this first week was sort of mellow to get back into it. [I wondered] how different professors would be. Obviously, academic life here is important, and being able to do well in class is also very important to me.”

Belokopytov reflected on his time abroad, comparing the experience to his first week back on campus.

“It wasn’t a set thing every time,” Belokopytov explained. “Every day was different in the sense that lecture wouldn’t be at the same time. Group work wouldn’t be at the same time. Having that for three weeks and then coming back to a very set routine sort of forces you to adapt really quickly, and I think that is probably difficult for some people, and me as well.”

USD junior Gianna Collura was abroad in Rome for the fall semester and shared what she missed the most about USD while she was away.

“I was just really looking forward to being back on campus because it’s just so beautiful and I really missed it,” Collura shared. “Obviously, I missed my friends and all that.” 

Collura continued to explain her anxieties about returning to campus. 

“I think that no matter what, just the start of the semester always makes me a little stressed,” Collura shared. “Just because it’s new classes, new stuff to do and it seems like every semester, I forget how to study. At the end of the day, I think the structure serves us rather than makes us more stressed.”

USD junior Ali Taliaferro was abroad in Prague for the fall semester. Taliaferro shared her excitement to return to campus and how she adjusted to the changes. 

“I was studying abroad last semester so for me it’s been pretty exciting being back but [I] also have been hit hard with a lot of school work already,” Taliaferro stated. “Definitely the weather here at USD and the campus is just absolutely gorgeous. And the beach, I was excited just to be outside again and see all the sunshine. And of course some of my friends who I haven’t seen in more than a semester since we’ve all been gone. It’s been exciting to have everyone back in the same spot.”

Students return to San Diego excited to spend time with their friends at the beach. Hailey Howell/The USD Vista

Taliaferro explained the cultural differences she experienced while abroad, especially while in the classroom. 

“I think it’s been funny realizing the differences of Czech and European culture compared to American culture,” Taliaferro said. “And even just how people present themselves in the classroom. Just the academics are very different here than in Europe … All the kids there are super well-educated about the world and everything going on in the world. Whereas Americans are pretty close-minded, just of everything that’s going on in the United States or even just in their local area … I think that shows a lot in European academics of being so informed of policies around the world and not only in their own country and Americans couldn’t do the same. I think that’s one of the biggest differences.”

Going abroad, for any length of time, is a unique experience that allows students to explore and learn about the world. It is important for students to be aware of any challenges that they may face when planning their abroad experience. 

Students explore the culture, nature and scenery of other countries while abroad. Photo courtesy of @usdstudyabroad/Instagram