I was thinking about this today as I have finally returned home and back to work too. I realized that while I was basically alone when I went to Korea I had so much support. In Korea, I was lucky to have the best roommates who understood me and what I needed to feel at home. Kimberly and I truly work on the same brainwave so I couldn't ask for more, I was allowed to be super weird and have so much fun while also feeling safe.
I also have a really good advisor back at Wesleyan, he checked in on me kept me updated, and honestly helps me realize what I want to do better than I can advise myself. I am so happy that I decided to be a political science major. I also have another professor that I look up to who helped me with my first Peace Corps essay. She helped me understand myself and who I am meant to be. I still wear the bracelet that says compassion-it every day reminding myself that I should show compassion to myself and others always.
I also worked at the Landing and when I returned home and to work I had the warmest welcome. I started at the front desk again and then many residents walked by with normal face then it was shocked and they exclaimed EMMA! I repeated over and over stories of my return and everyone was so kind and listened so well. They were so happy for me and each day I felt their joy and happiness to see me again and hear of my adventures. I talked for my entire 3-hour shift to each table about politics, food, life, my flights everything. I didn't know where to even start. How do you even summarize 11 months into a few minutes, even hours? I appreciate that there are people there to listen to my every story and share knowledge.
I also am glad that my family is so supportive, now knowing I will be in America for possibly only 10 more months after being gone for 11 was a shock. With graduation around the corner, I'm happy that I can easily get used to being in America again while missing Korea so badly.