Europe is the most popular destination for college students studying abroad, and it's not hard to see why. Whether you were eating pizza and drinking wine in sunny Florence or enjoying pub culture in not-so-sunny London, there's a reason you picked a European city. There's also a few tell tale signs when you return (sadly) back to the states that you probably know all too well.
1. You walk everywhere
After walking somewhere around 20 miles a day in London for a month, 2 miles to and from your campus seems like nothing. Your friends might think you're crazy but hey, it's healthy right?
2. You're comfortable using public transportation
Whether it was the tube, the metro, or just a bunch of buses and trains, public transport is the way to go in Europe. While taking public transport might stress some people out, you know how to figure out a complicated tube map or bus route with no problem, and habits like "stand on the right" have become second nature.
3. You miss the night life
Obviously, college is full of night life. From frat and house parties to bars and clubs filled with other 18-22-year-olds, there's certainly no shortage. However, these places still can't really compare to that one club you found by the Arc de Triomphe or your go to a pub near your foreign dorm. Whether it's the European atmosphere or just the vibe of study abroad, it's just not the same when you return to your usual place back home.
4. You're more confident
It's statistically proven that students who have studied abroad are more confident and even have higher GPAs when they get back. There's something about knowing you survived in a foreign city for a month+ that makes regular old University not seem so intimidating. Traveling also makes you more sociable, probably because you were forced to speak up and figure things out with others while abroad. So yeah, pretty nice.
5. All of your "#tbt's" are from Europe
You still have hundreds of post-worthy pics from your experience, so you take advantage of every throwback Thursday or other excuses that you can. I mean, not everyone has a picture of themselves on a beach in Spain or on top of the Eiffel Tower right?
6. Your style may have changed
Let's be honest, people just dress better in Europe. Whether the edgy vibe in London or the sleek, minimalistic Parisian style, you couldn't help but notice and try to emulate it with your own wardrobe. Not to mention that the shopping in Europe is amazing, so you definitely came back with a few pieces that have you saying "I got it in Europe" with no shame.
7. You miss not having open carry laws for bottles
Drinking wine by the Seine or the Eiffel Tower is a crucial part of studying abroad in Paris. The same goes for many other cities, and it's easy to get used to. Then you get back to the states and have to remind yourself that you have to finish your drink before leaving the apartment because sadly you can't just take it with you to finish on the way like you could back during study abroad.
8. You talk about obscure parts of the city like everyone knows what they are
The amount of times I've mentioned Shoreditch to people who have no idea what I'm talking about is ridiculous, and they probably think I'm talking about a literal ditch. You got to know your city so well in a short amount of time that it started to feel like home, and certain areas had memories attached. Unfortunately, other people have no idea what you're talking about unless they've had the same experience.
9. You use weird terms for everyday things
Nowhere in Europe will you see signs for "restrooms." It's always "toilets/toilette/etc." Eventually, you just adapt to it and start using the other term instead, then get back and people are like "excuse me?" Same goes for "trash" vs. "bin," etc. You might even try to respond to someone in the wrong language, it's fine.
10. You always have a story about "this one time in ___"
Apologies to everyone who has to listen to one of my countless Paris/London stories. I know it probably annoys people who haven't studied abroad but when you have, trust me it means a lot and we just have a lot of good stories and memories that we need to talk about.
11. You're already planning your next trip
Once you go, you need to go back. You start to miss it the moment you touch ground back home, and start thinking of every way you can to make going back possible, and as soon as possible. Or, if you're like me, researching every possible way to move there after graduation.
