Letter from Jules

 

 

I’m back! No, not completely, just my voice, but should be enough by now.

 

Well, long time since I left Australia, and now I am feeling it. Eight months ago I arrived and everything changed: like moving houses on the exchange, readapting myself to the new situation. Some changes like no more school, friends at uni, family not knowing how to treat you- as they realize I’m not the same Jules who left a year before- and the sensation of leaving a part of me in Australia were a few of the things I faced and am still facing till now.

Wasn’t easy to be back home in the first 2 weeks but soon I started some activities. I had a temporary job on MTV channel being one of those people who walks in the background of the tv shows, like an extra. That was a good experience, but I needed to start the course for uni so I stopped this and now I’m close to finish. My old plans were study chemistry engineering but I found out that’s not what I really want to do. I am choosing for Oceanography, that is the study of the ocean, lakes, rivers, marine biology, waves, snow, streams and everything that includes water. It’s definitely a different and unusual subject around here, my family is afraid about me finding a job or having a career but from what I want, isn’t Brazil my focus of country to live. So yes, there is still- and even stronger- the possibility of coming back to Aussie Land in the future, studying the great barrier reef or some sharks in the south. We will see.

Last July I had the amazing experience of introducing to my family one of my loveliest aussie families, the Glovers. They came visit me for a few days which were really busy around the massive city I live in. I loved the visit, was so good to see again some of my Australia and show them my Brazil. I hope they got to know better who I am and had a good time! Also, one of my aussie friends came to see me too, and I hope more come, I’m loving it.

 Now, I can understand what I heard about the re-adaptation after exchange. It’s hard to don’t feel like part of your world anymore, don’t fit in with old friends and don’t like the same sports, for an example. The group I spend most of the time now is full of ex-exchange students and we all agree about this sensation of not fit in again in the home country. “Home is now a bit less home” maybe resumes this idea. So yes, Australia really changed me, but even been hard to be back, I don’t regret any moment of my experience last year.

Actually, I want to thank you all again, but this time for the chance to open my eyes for this new world. It doesn’t matter if this new life stage is hard to handle, what I lived has no price and I’m sure I am a better person after all.

Not extending myself- other ways I’ll cry- just wanted to leave a see you later for the club,

And remember to take care of the piece of my heart I left there in Lincoln!

Love, Jules xx

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