Being an exchange student is indeed what I was referring to. Though it really could be argued that I didn't make the most of the experience (it probably didn't help that that year actually was when I discovered fanfiction, and when offered an escapist world over the real, big and scary one, I picked escapism). I don't know. It was a weird, rough time for me, and I have a lot of lingering guilts from that year. But it has been so eye-opening and fulfilling to discover "grown-ups" (I use the term loosely, because I'm learning that most adults are still learning how to adult, but I mean people who are older and slightly more established in whatever it is they're doing) who love the same things I do and find real-life satisfaction in the fantasy. I really, really appreciate your words, especially for my silly TMI personal ramblings.