For people travelling or working internationally, there comes an inevitable, surreal moment in which we realize that the end is near, that the experience abroad is drawing to a close. Though it often sneaks up on us, there arrives a time in which we must pack our bags, tie up our loose ends, and say our goodbyes, which somehow remain difficult despite age and numerous other experiences abroad.
Whether I like it or not, I have arrived at this moment. My term with Manna Project officially ends in one week, and I have begun to say my “despedidas” to my coworkers, community, and lifestyle. As many other travelers have surely experienced, I am flooded by warring emotions. On the one hand, I feel “high on life” as they say. I cannot wait to return home with fresh eyes and a wealth of experiences that will help me to view my life in new ways. On the other hand, I am
struck with the realization that never again, will I be able to relive this experience. I will surely talk (probably over-excessively) about the experience, but no one will truly understand.
For weeks, I flirted with the idea of extending my position with Manna Project. I also nearly accepted a seemingly ideal position with a Virginia-based NGO, which would have allowed me more time with my family, experience coordinating medical mission trips, and frequent travel to Central America. However, in the end, I declined both options for a principle that I have come to maintain wholeheartedly: namely, the importance of saying goodbye. Continuing with Manna Project would have overly prolonged the process of transitioning to an American lifestyle, whereas the NGO would have denied me any transition and required me to begin work in July.
Though not particularly enjoyable, it is crucial for us to transition from our time abroad, to properly say goodbye to the people, geography, and routines of our past months. Saying goodbye validates our time abroad; goodbyes help us to internalize that the experience actually happened. Thus, we must undergo the process of grieving the end of the experience, laughing at the fond memories, accepting that the time is over, and contemplating our next life steps. Although our exact experiences can never be recreated, they have changed us in ways that can never be erased.
Ginny is in the last stage of her thirteen-month commitment as a Program Director with Manna Project International-Guatemala. For more on Ginny’s experiences in Guatemala, check out her blog.
Latest posts by virginia.savage
- Back in the Game (and Hiking in Guatemala) - February 17th, 2012
- Think Fast: Are "Hunger" and "Poverty" Experiments Legitimate? - January 24th, 2012
- Home for the Holidays: Continuing Lessons in Patience - December 22nd, 2011
- Trabajo: Job Hunting, Working Abroad, and "Real World" Work - December 18th, 2011
- Que Será, Será... - December 5th, 2011
- Pre-Travel Preparations: Packing the Literal and Figurative Suitcase - November 7th, 2011
- Leaving the Nest: Thoughts on Culture and Living at Home - October 11th, 2011
- Mass, Marimba, and Political Messages: Music that Makes a Difference - September 28th, 2011
- Keeping the Fuego Alive - September 19th, 2011
- Locals, Wanna-be Locals, and Tourists: No Competition Needed - August 29th, 2011
Wow Ginny, your post comes at a funny time for me as this week I will return to Latin America, mi lindo Ecuador, after almost two months in Colorado and California. I signed up for 2 more years at an international school in Quito, I guess I have problems with saying goodbye!
I think I will explore this in my post, thanks for the inspiration and good luck to you on your next experience!