The End
My day of travel at the airport felt long, but a part of me was yearning to continue travelling. My group of new friends from Northeastern dwindled from 30 to 20, then just 8, then 3, 2, and then it was just me at the airport. Before I got in the car to see my family I started to miss everyone from the trip dearly. For the past year I have considered myself a very solitary, independent person. Being so close with 30 other students for the past 5 weeks has had a powerful impact on me. I really enjoyed the constant company of others, and the freedom to share an adventure with them. Now that I am home, I am ready to go back out with my friends. I am planning semesters abroad next spring and next summer. I am going on Facebook and posting all the pictures of this past trip. Coming back home feels like a respite, not a return to the norm.
When I finally arrived, I was happy to see my family and my dog, all doing well. All the day-to-day responsibilities of my Peru routine have become unneeded, and although I am doing my best to carry my momentum into this change of pace, there is just less to do at home. It is now that I am understanding just how productive I was in Peru, with every day being packed full of activities, and plenty of people to do them with. My classmates and I got through the challenges in food, navigation, travelling, and many other areas, together. I am so grateful for the relationships I have created and the memories we share. I appreciate others more, and realize how much I relied on others during the trip who are not living with me now. Fortunately, I am making plans to see everyone from the trip soon.
Studying in Peru has also made me appreciate my own country (The United States) much more. The roads, cars, homes, infrastructure – everything American is just awe-inspiring to see again after the conditions I encountered in Peru. Tents, walls made of thin, raw materials, and mud floors give way to wooden decks, modern TV’s and laptops, and tile floors. Water is served at every restaurant free of charge here in the US. We flush our toilet paper down the toilet instead of throwing it in the trash can. It seems like every thought I have is a comparison to back in Peru. It is great to have a point of reference and to be amazed at how much better we, as Americans, have it than many other people in this world.
I am enjoying the comforts of home, but am eager to trade them away for my next trip. The memories I have made: travelling for a full day to finally reach Machu Picchu; hiking above 16,500 feet to see the colors from Rainbow Mountain, touring new cities, shops, and alleyways. I feel more confident to do all of this and more willing to try things out with a group from now on. To anyone thinking about partaking in a trip, do it early in your college career! You will enjoy it very much and grow from what you struggle with. You will benefit from the shift in lifestyle and take your growth with you back to Boston. I am lucky enough to have room for more travel experiences in my last two years of college. For some of my friends, this was their last opportunity to go on a study abroad session. Go earlier on so you have time to do more if you want to. If I was going to go again, it would be to Argentina, Spain, or Cuba so I can continue learning Spanish. I am also especially considering Spain, Ireland or Eastern Europe because I have seen what a third world country looks like now; I would like to see a different perspective from Peru or the US. Overall, my trip has been absolutely worth the time, money and effort. This trip has been one of my favorite chapters in my Northeastern career thus far. It is my hope for you that if you decide to join a study abroad, you will have a journey just as fruitful as mine.
Until Next Time,
Eric Martinez
