I’ve been back in the UK for 2 weeks now and my year abroad is well and truly over. Moving back to the UK I experienced the usual culture shock that happens when moving from one country to the other, but experiencing it when moving back to your home country is a lot better. Instead of having to adjust to a new way of life I just have to settle back into my old one!
Some highlights of the last couple of weeks have been drinking water straight from the tap, taking a shower without having to first light a fire and having my washing machine back!!! Ahhh, luxury.
But obviously the best thing has been seeing my friends :D I’ve had a good 6 months of catching up to do with most of them so I’ve been on a little tour of England over the past two weeks visiting people in Birmingham, London and obviously Huddersfield! Obviously everyone has been asking me “How was Russia?” A question that I still just cannot answer. It’s hard to put a year of experience in a completely different culture into a coherent answer. So I just normally say “Russian”, which seems to satisfy most people.
I’ve not started missing anything about Russia yet as I’m actually going back (although to Ryazan not Moscow) at the end of July. I’ve already applied for my next visa so I don’t think it’s really sunk in that the year is over. I think after I get back in August I will start to miss my Russian life, but right now I am LOVING being in the UK!
So I guess this will be my last blog. Writing this blog has really been one of the highlights of my year abroad and it’s been really great to hear that so many people have enjoyed reading it! So to end this blog I will answer the question that I am being asked the most, what was the best thing about my year abroad?
For me the best thing about this year has been experiencing what it is really like to live in Russia. I’ve made some brilliant Russian friends (and I want to say a big SPASIBA especially to Vika for being the best flat mate I could ever have wanted and to Olesya for being such a great teacher and friend!), explored places I would never have been before… and learnt a little bit more Russian! Winston Churchill famously said, “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Even after living there a year, I still agree with him. That’s why I love Russia.
So do svidaniya Moskva!
