Erasmus+ or the Turing Scheme means experiencing work and adventure in a foreign city and meeting new people from all over the world. This is roughly how you imagine an Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme stay and that's pretty much what it is. However, what’s hardly talked about is how to find your way back to everyday life after those extraordinary experiences.
Before an Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme stay, you might have asked yourself what it would be like to live in a foreign city for a longer period of time and to go without your familiar surroundings at home? Yes, you live a different type of life for a while. A life that is probably a lot more exciting than life at home! You get to know new people from all over the world, travel around and see new things, you are spontaneous and can do what you want most of the time, apart from when you have to go to work. All the responsibilities that you normally have in your regular life are left at home.
It goes without saying that after such experiences it is difficult to return to your “old”, accustomed way of life and above all of course, to say goodbye to all the friends you have made during your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme stay abroad, especially knowing that a reunion probably won't be possible anytime soon. Perhaps that sounds familiar? Then the following advice will help you to overcome post-Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme blues.
This advice is essential for any type of negative feelings, such as sadness, loneliness, or boredom. Try to accept that certain feelings won’t last forever and try not to dramatise them. It is completely okay and normal that sometimes, you won’t feel good for various reasons and these emotions are acceptable. This approach often helps to take some of the menace out of negative emotions. Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't try to change the situation!
Your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme mobility abroad was a great time that you will surely look back at fondly for a long while. Use the time afterwards to create something to capture those memories. For example, you could glue pictures into a photo album, put together a video with the most beautiful moments or create a collage. If you're still on your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme mobility but it's nearly time to go home, why not ask all your new friends to write a few nice words for you on a piece of paper or in a notebook – create an old-fashioned friendship book, so to speak.
It is well-known that travelling changes you and you are probably not the exact same person you were before your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme stay abroad. Take some time at home to think about how you have changed, what you have learned and the new habits you want to keep. Your changing personality will also help you to make concrete plans of what you want to tackle and achieve in life after your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme experience.
There are bound to be some people at home who would like to see you again after such a long time and who have a lot to tell you! You’ll also want to report of your great experiences. So, take time out for your old friends and do something together. Don't expect them to share your enthusiasm. Of course, they'll ask how your Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme mobility was, but after you've talked a bit, interest will likely wane, because they weren't there, don't know the places you’ve seen and the people you talk about and if they haven't had a similar experience themselves, they probably won't really understand your enthusiasm.
Of course, it is difficult to maintain friendships over long distances and if you want to keep in touch, you will need to make an effort. To be honest, some of your acquaintances will likely peter out. So, think about which people are really important to you and then try to actively stay in contact. Maybe you can visit some of your new friends during your next vacation or if you were a tight-knit group, you could plan a vacation together? Knowing people all over the world is definitely one of the coolest things about an Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme stay!
Living in a foreign country for a specific amount of time will definitely give you an advantage over people who do an Internship at Home. Even if settling back in at home sometimes can be challenging, the advantages of an Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme experience will come out on top. You will come back home with luggage full of memories and experiences you will benefit from for the rest of your life, especially in terms of professional skills.
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