When you move away from home, going back is never the same. For the past three years, I have been living in Ames, and when I have the opportunity to travel back to my hometown in Puerto Rico, I feel divided in two worlds. A part of me tells me I am at home, while another makes me feel — and act — like a tourist.

I returned from my homeland about two weeks ago after enjoying the delicious all-I-can-eat menu from my mom and my grandma’s kitchen, after dancing with my friends at any corner of the island and having political discussions with my family.

However, it is difficult for me to accept the fact that when I go home I am no longer considered a local. My friends make jokes about how my Spanglish has improved, how my skin color has changed from a dark brown to a yellowish tone and how I don’t consider the island’s 65-degree winters cold anymore.

During this last trip home, I did not react like a local the first time I drove there since I found myself stopping completely at a stop sign, something that Puerto Ricans never do. I never did this until I encountered four-way stop signs in Ames. I even felt like a tourist every time I found myself absorbing the colorful and loud Puerto Rican scenery, which I never noticed before, considering when you live somewhere for so long you tend to neglect its beauty and uniqueness.

When I lived in Puerto Rico, I enjoyed the scenery; however, I now drool in awe at the splendor of the island and the uniqueness of my culture. The island’s hot and sandy beaches, the sweet summer breeze that caressed my skin when I stood on a green mountain were experiences that I had enjoyed but had not fully absorbed.

It is amazing how I have learned to appreciate my culture, my homeland and my family more by being away from them. Now I put effort into learning more of my island’s history and political status; only in Puerto Rico I will see two posts next to each other — one carrying the United States flag and another carrying the Puerto Rican flag at the same level.

Since Puerto Rico is not a state, the Puerto Rican flag will not be found flying on the same post underneath the U.S. flag, but since the island is not a sovereign country either, its flag will not fly on its own.While I was living in Puerto Rico, I barely knew how to dance; now, what I enjoy most about my culture — besides the food — are the Caribbean rhythms that make my soul move and dance the night away.

While I lived with my family, I hadn’t noticed how my mom’s housework and love kept my life neatly organized, but now I notice how hard my mother has worked and how much she has sacrificed to help our home be successful. What is more amazing is that I even appreciate and understand the discussions and disagreements I had with my dad while living with my family.

It could be that I am getting old and that I now care about things I didn’t care about when I was younger and in high school. It could be that I am starting to get homesick after being away for three years. Or it could be that since my life is now divided in two worlds, I try to understand and be part of both of them as much as I can.

After Iowa, I do not know where my next stop will take me, and I do not know if I will divide my life more by living elsewhere. However, by living in places that are different from my “normal” environment, I have grown and matured.

During these three years, I have learned a lot from living away from home, and something that I will make sure I do is to never neglect the scenery before my eyes and to enjoy the local culture of the places I visit as much as I can.

Even Ames has a special culture that a lot of people ignore; you will just have to get out there and observe. If not, life might pass right before your eyes.