'At Home' in a New Place

Location:
Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México
Latitude/Longitude:
18.500188900000, -88.296146000000
Journal Entry:

As you already know, I am a long way from home… around 2,700 miles from home. Sometimes I don’t notice the distance at all, but other times it can feel as if I am really far away. This feeling of distance (distancia) is not uncommon. I felt far away when I first moved to South Carolina to go to college, and you may have felt far away from your home when going to summer camp or even going to visit family that lives in a different state. Being at home is really nice because we are able to feel comfortable with our friends and family around, our favorite parks to play in and the best stores to buy snacks, not to mention the weather we are prepared to dress for and the language we understand. Leaving this environment can make us feel nervous and alone, but I've come to realize that these situations also allow us to know new places, meet different friends and find another type of home. 

Although they may feel uncomfortable at first, these opportunities can end up being really cool, and the best way to get the most out of the experience is to get to know the new community around you. Integrating, or becoming a part of something, does not happen all at once, but in various little steps along with effort and patience.

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