They are usually eager to share their experiences with their friends and family. They like to feel different, but the problem is they expect everyone to understand that nature.
Relating to them can be extremely difficult. Their stories range from never-ending tales about low-cost concerts, Italian wine, and rugby or soccer matches. Here is a list of some of the things “summers” should avoid when back home.
“Summers” normally come back home for the holidays.
People are interested in your experiences abroad, but that doesn’t mean you have to start every sentence with, “Back in New York (or wherever you are from)… ” followed by an hour-long narrative. Know when to limit your talk because, however fascinating an experience was for you, not all experiences make up for interesting stories.
It is important to think twice before interrupting a discussion about what type of food your friends want to order with a half-hour ramble about Thai stir fry.
Yes, not all restaurants are exotic
“I have a friend who recently came back from South Africa. We went to our favourite joint in Nyamirambo and I was shocked when he started ordering things such as, Pork Tenderloin stuffed with apricot with Green apple salad. I just couldn’t believe that he expected the joint to have such food,” says Patrick.
McDonald’s is a popular fast food joint in most countries abroad but back home, brochettes (circled) are the way to go.
Don’t act like a visitor in your own country
Yes, spending a significant period in another country does help you get to know that country.
Yes, you embraced new practices and tried new things. But, let’s not lose perspective: you’re still a native of this country. So while it is commendable to find ways of incorporating your new knowledge into your life at home, remember that you can’t bring it all back with you.
Don’t act superior
Some of the most interesting things about living abroad is being exposed to different tastes, perspectives, and practices. Sometimes you may have to re-evaluate your own, whether that results in a newfound appreciation for quality coffee or newfound horror over the quantity of plastic bags that your friends use at the grocery store. That’s fine but nobody wants to be ridiculed, or hear you bash their tastes.
Spare people statements like, “I can’t believe you take 10-minutes showering,” or, whining about drinking boxed wine saying; “We never drank that in Florence.” Drink, or better still, find ways to get bottled wine.
Again, don’t act superior
It is said that “summers” always claim to have only foreign currency on them to get out of paying the bill.
Don’t rub your new country in people’s faces
Word of advice; remember that it’s impossible for everyone to go abroad because if we all went, then no one would be around to take care of the country. Secondly, there are several factors that don’t allow people to go abroad, like financial restraints, academic requirements, or family matters. You’ve been given a great opportunity that isn’t necessarily available to everyone.
So don’t go around telling people; “Going to Canada was the greatest experience of my life. You really need to get out of the country, Dean.” Leave that for when you are boarding the plane back.
Very many students travel back for the holidays.
We know it can be difficult to settle back into your old life. It might even seem boring, or maybe new things suddenly bother you—the pace of life, the individualistic mentality, the mass consumption, infrastructure, weather. Whether it is traffic jam, dirty motor cyclists, power cuts, poor water supply, understand that we have lived with these problems and we don’t cry over them every day.
Don’t lock yourself up in your room the whole weekend sulking and complaining about the inferiority of your native country. Remember that you actually appreciated your country before getting the abroad experience.
Kigali’s taxis and motos are a replacement for New York’s cabs.
Before you left, your English accent was akin to that of a Mukiga (from Kabale in Uganda) and your grammar was no different from that of a primary one drop-out. You’ve been lucky to have stayed abroad, improved on your grammar and the accent is much better. Congratulations! But please, don’t go around laughing at our accents and correcting every statement.
“Summers” are known to travel with more luggage than they need.
We do want to give you as many treats as we can afford considering you’ve been away for too long but once in a while, please chip in. “Summers” have developed a habit of always having only dollars, pounds or any currency other than the one required to foot the bill, claiming they didn’t change their money. Here’s the thing, Kigali has quite a number of forex bureaus, starting right there at the airport. Do change some of those dollars because the francs also run out from time to time.
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