Learning to Stay in the Present
Jessica, one of the Exchange at Penn Correspondents, shares her experience here at Penn during the Spring 2025 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
As the end of my semester abroad drew near, I found myself waking to this thought almost every morning: “I’m not ready to go home just yet.” Just as I’ve gotten a little more comfortable with everything and settled into a steady pace of life here, my time at Penn was coming to an end.
Have I really tried everything there is to try here? Have I made the most of my time? Will I be able to leave with no regrets? There’s still so much more that I want to take my time with, like picnicking with friends in good weather, exploring new or hidden spots in Center City and trying good food places during happy hour.
Another thing I’ve come to realize is that I really like the version of myself I have grown into at Penn; I’m afraid that I might lose her if I move on too quickly to the next season of my life.
As these thoughts continued to come up at random times throughout the day, I was overwhelmed by my worries about the future and I began to dread the passage of time all together.
It was not until I stepped into my mindfulness class one day that I noticed how complicated my headspace had been (shoutout to EDUC 2551 and Dr Liz Mackenzie btw!). I was so overly fixated on what I haven’t had the chance to do, that I forgot about the wonderful experiences that I’ve already had and started to miss things that were happening right before me.
A quick trip down memory lane was all it took to remind me of some small yet unforgettable moments this semester – munching on chips and guac at the Morris Arboretum on a warm Friday afternoon, watching Bollywood movies at the Gregory cinema and getting my work done as the setting sun cast a bright, orange glow throughout the Meyer sky lounge at Harrison.
In class, I’ve also learnt that in being mindful of the present moment, the way one relates to time shifts and the perception of time can be expanded. While I certainly have no superpowers to slow down or stop time, I can do my best to pay close attention to and enjoy every moment as it unfolds.
And so, this is a promise to myself in this last month at Penn – to notice the flowers, lean into the conversations and take as many pictures as I can.
I’m not ready to go home just yet, for there are still countless moments of joy here left for me to uncover and step into.
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