Epilogue

So this is where my story ends. When I have some time going spare, I may post pictures and videos of some of the fab work my US students produced over the course of last semester but other than that, I have completed my journey and have no more to write about.

Normality for me has been restored. After about five minutes, a very warm welcome and many hugs from both colleagues and students at Faifield, it felt like I'd never been away. I've picked up my social life where I left it and home is beginning to feel like home again.

It has been a challenging and emotional few months. I've been priviliged to work with some fantastic students and to be part of the Fulbright programme; I've gained an insight into another culture few are fortunate enough to have and hopefully I've been able to give my students, colleagues and friends an insight into mine; I've become stronger as a person; developed professionally and I've made some fantastic new friends. Conversely, I've encountered some of the worst personal and professional moments of my life (though, ironically, not where the students are concerned!) which will impact on me for some time to come; there have been times when I've felt so low I didn't think it was atually possible to feel that bad and that's been difficult to cope with.

Good or bad, it's all been experience and so can be learned from.

Most of all, this exchange has taught me to value what I have: it is the people in our lives that make our lives. It is so easy to take those people for granted or to become fixated on 'things' and that is something I'm clearer about than ever. This Christmas, spent with my boyfriend and parents, was the best I've ever had because I have a newfound appreciation for just how lucky I am to have them. Seeing how much they'd missed me also showed me just how much they value me too, though I've been fortunate enough to have grown up with my parents' unconditional love and support. I've always known I was lucky in this respect but now it's something I'm acutely aware of and extremely grateful for. Similarly, I am aware of just how lucky I am to have the friends I have; it makes me rich. 'They' say that it's when times are really bad you find out who your real friends are and that couldn't be more true. I know who mine are and I will never take them for granted. I will always put these people first in my life.

I would recommend a cultural exchange to anyone - especially with Fulbright as they're a fantastic organisation - but, if I could have my time again, I'd take closer heed of the advice given. Potential exchangees are told NEVER to exchange housing and as financially, most exhanges would not be possible without doing so, most exchangees go ahead and swap accommodation anyway. Don't. There's a reason for this advice and with hindsight, it would have been better not to do the exchange at all rather than to exchange houses. Also, unless you're used to being away for extended periods of time, I wouldn't recommend an exchange to people with pets or significant others. Ensure you and your partner are absolutely clear on exactly what you are, or are not, arranging or setting up for each other and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Over and out.

An Epic Adventure

The flights for these exchanges are booked via an agency and paid for by the British Council. My return journey was therefore due to be rather complicated: Logan to Washington DC; Washington DC to Heathrow; long car journey home. Having heard that heavy snow had been forecast for Washington for my day of departure, I called United to try and arrange an alternative flight, direct from Logan, in the aim of avoiding delay, or potentially becoming stranded at the airport. United helpfully informed me that they were unable to do anything until the flight was actually cancelled - despite the 100% chance of precipitation - adding that the next direct flight from Logan with availability wasn't until late on Tuesday 22nd.

I therefore had no choice but to wait. My last morning was spent in front of my laptop, refreshing the flight information page. Eventually, both my flights flashed up as 'cancelled', and I immediately dialled the number on the screen. Three-and-a-half hours later I was still on hold, waiting to speak to someone. After discussing the pros and cons of going against advice and heading directly to the airport, I decided that at least there I'd get to speak to someone face-to-face and so I said my final goodbyes and Michelle and I left for Logan.

Once there, we discovered the United desk had 'closed' and I was brusquely advised to call the number on the website. I implored the gentleman to help me, explaining I'd been in a queue on said number for hours already and just wanted to get home. He responded by telling me to return the next day but that I probably wouldn't get a flight until at least Tuesday. Fairly desperate to get home, I refused to back down and reminded him an airline is obliged to place a passenger with a cancelled flight on the next available flight, even if that's with a competitor. I scored a place on an American Airlines flight, due to leave at 9am the next day.

As the snow storm was heading to Boston that night, I made the judgement call to stay at Logan rather than return with Michelle. I found a quiet corner and made use of the free wifi to while away the hours until the American Airlines desk opened at 4am; I'd been told as they overbook, my seat wasn't yet guaranteed. By 3.30am a substantial queue had already formed. My heart sank as an operative began telling us to go home and call the number he was distributing, as most flights had been cancelled. Fortunately, my luck had turned and the Heathrow flight *was* still scheduled to leave; I checked in without any problems and was able to relax over a plate of french toast and some much-needed coffee.

My flight was slightly delayed as it needed to be repeatedly de-iced and taking off on what appeared to be Arctic tundra was an interesting experience but eventually we were airborne. It was a pleasant flight, with good company (I made a friend!) and it wasn't that long before I was looking down at the lights of Ireland, my heart swelling with elation. We passed over Wales (and I swear, my house) before landing smoothly at Heathrow at 10pm. Best. Feeling. Ever.

The drive home was also eventful as we battled through snow flakes the size of saucers and un-gritted roads. It was slow progress; we arrived at the bottom of my hill at around 2am. Determined to be 'home', I declined the offer of a warm bed and walked the final leg of my journey, through the snow, with just the clothes on my back.

I found my little house to be colder than the snow itself; the heating had broken and my first night was a tad chilly, to say the least. There's nothing like one's own bed though. Luckily, the next day the boiler kicked back into life - it seems sediment had got into the oil as the tank had run low - and I've been toasty-warm ever since. I was also reunited with my clothes the next day and able to get to work on the things that needed doing - so slowly, things began to return to normal.

Bizarrly, I discovered that driving would take a little re-adjustment; after five months of driving an automatic, using the clutch took concentration! I didn't have time to ease myself back into the driving though, as as soon as the snow was passable I had to get one of my cats to the vet for a £300 welcome back present. She's worth it though.

Other than that, it's like I never left!

Goodbye Dinner

My final evening was spent with some of the closest friends I made during the course of my exchange. They treated me to an impossibly huge, but delicious, dinner at a lovely restaurant and presented me with gifts. At the end of the meal, I was momentarily confused by a cake being placed in front of me while everyone - waitress included- began to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me: as my birthday was the following Wednesday they'd wanted to celebrate it with me then. I was very, very lucky to meet such fantabulous people and although we will meet again, I will miss them very much.

It was the perfect evening: good food and good company!

Student Appreciation!

5,4,3,2,1...

My final week was a tad hectic, to say the least. Lesson-wise, there were loose ends to tie up to ensure as smooth a transition for the students as possible plus final grades to input and progress reports to distribute. I also worked with PAVE, the 'alternative' classroom, and the PE department to inject some British culture into NHS and spent some time in the middle school, observing and setting up links for online collaboration and, potentially, future student exchanges.

On my final day, I was treated to no less than two surprise parties from my students! My AP class brought in an array of goodies and drinks, wrote 'Thank You' on the board and presented me with striped socks and a fab pair of slipper boots, plus the loveliest card in the history of ever. Several of the students had baked their own goodies - all of which were delicious. My Honors Period 6 class had organised their party for me on Facebook! They too brought in a table full of goodies, including a chocolate brownie cake iced with 'We'll Miss You Miss Sheppard' (which, as it turned out, proved to be of great interest to the sniffer dogs patrolling the school that morning as part of a scheduled lock down!) and presented me with a fab card. Even my College Prep students showed their appreciation - one student even sang me a song he'd 'written'(!). I was surprised and touched by these gestures; I will miss each and every one of my classes and they remain far and above the best thing to come out of this exhange for me.

At close of play, I was ushered into a colleague's room to find two huge cakes and most of the faculty. The Principal presented me with a card from the faculty and a certificate deeming me to be a 'RAM', plus a voucher for a 2009/10 yearbook (they're around $60 to buy). He told the faculty that I will always have a home at NHS, which meant an awful lot. He then asked me to make a speech, which I fumbled through (I never know what to say and hate being the centre of attention!). I also received gifts and cards from individual colleagues, a plethora of hugs and many, many compliments: guidance told me they'd not received one complaint or request to switch out of my class (which is apparently unusual) and that the students love me and many other colleagues reaffirmed the latter, saying what a smooth semester it has been with me here. In dark moments, I will think of those comments and they'll help me to smile again.

Leaving NHS for the final time was an emotional moment, all-in-all.

NY, NY