From Dorms to Family Warmth: My Journey Back Home and Course Finals - Week 16
The last week of university for the semester (and my last week in America before Christmas) has come to an end. What a journey this has been! As much as I’ve loved this experience, I must admit I’m truly exhausted. The combination of stress, excitement, late-night study sessions, and hanging out with friends has left me running on fumes.
Monday kicked off with back-to-back final exams, and I’m happy to report that they went well. Tuesday brought my hardest final of the week, but I managed to power through it. Then came Wednesday night, which turned out to be unexpectedly adventurous. Bored out of my mind and unsure whether to watch a movie or study, I made a rather peculiar choice—I started guessing the password for my Friday exam. Shockingly, after several attempts, I guessed it correctly!
Now, you’d think this would send me into a panic, but instead, I completed the exam from my dorm and immediately emailed my professor. I explained the situation, apologized profusely, and prepared for the worst. To my surprise, he responded kindly, admitting he might have done the same in his student days. He let my grade stand and gave me a pass. This unexpected twist meant I had no obligations on Friday, freeing up my schedule.
But enough about exams—those aren’t exactly thrilling to write about. The real highlight of the week was preparing to go home. I took a trip to the nearby mall and picked up some cozy pajamas, but the biggest task was packing my bags. Half of my suitcase is filled with Christmas gifts, while the other half holds clothes for my upcoming trip to Florida. Yes, after Christmas, I’ll be heading straight to Florida for a week of training with my school’s swim team. While the thought of training is exciting, I’m even more thrilled about going home for christmas and spending time with family. Florida will be my first New Year’s away from my family, so I’ll have to see how that feels. I will keep you updated!
The journey home was long but manageable. I started off with some company but soon found myself spending multiple hours alone in a rather dull terminal. Well, not entirely alone—I met a Norwegian and passed some time chatting. After that came an 8-hour flight to Germany. Once I arrived in Germany, I rushed to my gate (even though I didn’t need to hurry) and was immediately comforted by the sound of Swedish all around me yet it was weird not having the privacy of speaking a unfamiliar language. My final leg was a 2-hour flight to Stockholm, which felt like the longest, my anticipation was through the roof.
Finally, I landed in Sweden. As I grabbed my bag and walked through the gates, I saw my family waiting for me. In that moment, I almost cried—I had missed them so much. A short car ride (during which I promptly fell asleep) later, I was home. Two whole weeks to recharge my batteries, reconnect with loved ones, and relax in the comfort of my own space. What a delight!
This journey has been incredible, but nothing compares to the feeling of being home for the holidays.
