As I sit here and write this [probable] final blog post, I am crying. I am crying because I took for granted how close I got with some of the people I've met in Perth, at UWA, at Currie Hall. I spent a good portion of my study abroad excursion missing home from the beginning, and while that's normal, it wasn't until these final few weeks that the reality sets in of possibly never seeing some of these newfound relations again. Quite possibly one of the most difficult emotions to deal with in the world. I can honestly say that I now have 'international besties', as I would refer to them as with Dusty Anderson, easily the front-runner for one of the best guys I've met along the way here (exchange from Canada in some of the photos below).
Currie Hall is pretty empty at this point, as the rest of the exchanges went on a roadtrip up north along the western coast yesterday (Saturday), and the majority of the permanent residents have already gone home. Saying goodbye to the 'exchanges' (our nickname all semester) was insanely difficult, as well as saying goodbye to some of the permanents. I leave for the airport in about 3 hours with one of my good friends here, and I know it will be round #3 of tearful goodbyes. I've been overly excited to return back home and pick up where I left off with my friends from Mokena/U of I, but that's suddenly become clouded with this current state. A state of realizing how much I absolutely loved my time spent here. Things went wrong along the way and not every day was just a walk on the beach, but the past 5 months spent here were unforgettable, and it's comforting knowing that you can travel the world and have connections on just about every continent. Yes, I am still crying at this point.
The sadness, the happiness, and everything in between have been experienced this semester, but it's safe to say that this study abroad adventure has met any and all expectations I may have placed on it before. Thank you, Perth; Chicago better realize the serious competition it now faces.
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