Distance and Change

Being away from home for 1, 2, 3+ years. Living in a foreign country so far from a familiar culture. How much does it change us? I wonder about this when I think about heading home this summer. Will I be different? Will my friends and family notice any changes in me. I think we are all changing constantly. Hopefully for the better. The more we see, learn and experience, the more we can expand our way of thinking. But do we change faster when living this type of lifestyle than those at home? What affect does this have on our relationships when we return. I think about this sometimes. However, i don't worry too much as a year is not a long time in the whole scheme of things. I'll be interested to hear from my close friends what they think once i've been home for a while. Will my dog look at me differently..especially if he finds out that I lived in culture where eating dog is accepted practice? He'll know...he always does.