When you move to a new place, it takes time to adjust. When I moved from Finland to San Diego in January, it took me a while to get used to the street names, the people and the atmosphere. I was lucky, because I had eight roommates to help me out, and I had a good job wherein I met more helpful people. By February, I already felt like I was a home. I didn’t miss Finland (missed my family but not the country), and I said I wanted to spend my whole life here. There’s nothing you don’t like about San Diego. People who say it’s the best place in the world are not wrong. By March, I had made really good friends in San Diego. I met them at softball practice, at a cheese and wine party and at our office. I experienced true friendship although my native language isn’t English and I come from a different culture. I laughed, made jokes and said “I love you.” I talked about the meaning of a relationship, the purpose of work, the best movies and trust. I also apologized, cried, felt bad and had a broken heart. But most of all, I loved the life I experienced. In April, I visited Mexico for the second time, and when I got stuck in Phoenix, I truly missed my own room and my own bed. That felt more like home than my own home country. I realized I had learned so much about work, the United States, people and, most of all, myself. Now, it’s the last day of my internship at San Diego Newspaper Group, and I feel really sad, but I have a job to go to in Finland. Four months in San Diego was too short time. If you are thinking about moving abroad, make it at least six months, because then you truly have time to enjoy your friends. You’ll always have a place in my heart, San Diego. Now, I’m going to the juice bar! Best regards, Hanna