I was sitting in my room around 10 or 11 PM with my roommate. We were just hanging out as I got a call from my friend who asked me if I checked my email from my home University. I immediately knew something was wrong, so I opened my email as fast as possible and my heart dropped at the words on my screen. My school sent out a message telling us that we had to return to the U.S. since the boarders were being closed due to Corona Virus. I couldn’t believe how abrupt everything was happening. My friend on the line was very distressed. Others were already booking tickets within a few minutes of receiving the email. Even my roommate who wasn’t a study abroad student began to stress about what this would mean for students living on campus. We didn’t know the virus was spreading so rapidly or that it was so dangerous that we had to return home before the boarders closed. Honestly, what was most scary was the unknown. No one was aware of the real extent of the problem or what was going to happen as a result.
The following morning our program was officially cancelled, and all the American students were required to return home. One minute I was thinking about classes and our upcoming weekend trip to Oxford and the next, I was frantically calling my family and trying to figure out the best course of action. I spent the following day making arrangements. I was in contact with my airline to change my flight which thankfully they allowed me to do online. It would only be a couple of days before I left London.
Although I wanted to make the most out of my last few days in the city, I spent so much time packing and planning that it was more stressful than anything. In the span of two days, I had to pack, communicate with my professors who were not updated regarding the end of the program, and also spend time with the amazing friends I made, while accepting everything that was happening. It was difficult to say goodbye to the city and even more difficult to say goodbye to my community of international friends, and ultimately to the study abroad experience that had turned out to be more than I could have ever hoped for. Regardless, the last day arrived and I vowed to spend it wisely. Admittedly, turning my brain off with so much going on was not a simple endeavor, but I made the conscious decision that day to focus on all that I gained and the mere privilege to have been able to embark on this journey abroad. That said, it only seemed fitting to treat myself to my favorite afternoon tea place and spend time with all my new friends from all over the world. Over dinner, we enjoyed Indian food, we laughed, reflected, shared stories and enjoyed our nights. When it came time to part, tears were shed.
That night, I didn’t get a minute of sleep. Instead I awaited my flight back to California. Of course, it was pouring all night. Thinking back, it seemed a fitting farewell to the city of rain. By 6 Am, I was at the airport, going through all the motions even though my mind wasn’t really in it. By 9 am, I was on my flight back and my study abroad journey ended 2 months before it was supposed to.
ZJ Abroad 