1. Becoming Fluent In Another Language Is Amazing When You Can Use It
Spanish class takes on a whole new meaning when it becomes your everything. One of my favorite moments from the semester was when my cab driver told me he had thought I was a Spanish native throughout our entire conversation.
2. If You're Not Good At Planning, Travel With A Friend Who Is
I'm not good at planning, and if someone had told me this beforehand, I probably would've ignored them. But I'm so thankful I happened to make a best friend who helped me navigate confusing cities like Berlin, Athens, and Edinburgh. The owner of our hostel in Rome said we couldn't do the Vatican, Colosseum, and the Roman Forum in one day. But thanks to Kyler, we did.
3. Don't Bring Your ID To Oslo And Lose It In The Ice Bar
Things fall out of pockets. Do, however, go to an ice bar. They're cool, but don't have the impression you're going to buy a lot of drinks.
4. Family Is A Rare Thing
I'm not just talking about bloodlines. Staying with a host family was one of the best decisions I made in my abroad experience. Anyone can be your family, and if you have one, embrace them. I got really lucky - my host-mom MariCarmen and abuela Tina are amazing, loving people. They went above and beyond to welcome me like one of their own. They have two kids of their own, Carmen and Carlos. My brother Carlos has Celiac Disease just like me, and a nose ring (Sorry Robbie). As the cab pulled up to take me to the airport, I hugged MariCarmen goodbye. She was crying and she said she loved me. They did so much for me in those four months.
5. It's Good To Know There's Something Else Out There
Knowing the world is big didn't have much sentience until I lived in another country for four months and traveled Europe. Everything was different in each country I visited (Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Greece, The Netherlands), the culture, people, climate, everything. And it was really refreshing.
6. Some Shows Come Out On Spanish Netflix Months Before American Netflix
I was in for a surprise when I flew back home and had to wait for months before I could finish season 5 of Bates Motel.
7. When The Outside World Is Overwhelming and Unfamiliar, You Recognize The Parts Of You That Stay The Same
At times throughout those four months, I was very alone. It was reassuring to remember the blessings I had waiting for me back home, and to see myself from a new perspective.
8. Don't Speak To The Men Hiding In Shadows In The Red Light District
Stranger danger to the max!
Do, however, interact with the locals.
9. Party Less, Experience More
If you have to choose between a coffee shop extravaganza in Vöndelpark and the Anne Frank House, choose Anne Frank. There's only one Amsterdam, and Anne Frank's story is amazing. Actually, there are loads of things to do in Europe. Clubs are everywhere, and the ones in Europe are extra expensive (especially Ibiza - largely overrated. Sorry Mike Posner.).
10. My Cab Driver Offered Me A Job In A Coffee Shop
So I always have a future in Amsterdam as a back-up plan.
11. The Only European Country With Chipotle Is The UK
I won't lie; it wasn't easy. Hopefully they'll build more soon.
12. Body Equality On The Beach Is Awesome
All of the beaches (that I went to, in Spain) are topless, and nude beaches are popular too. On any given day it was about a 50/50 ratio of women wearing tops or going topless. It was beautiful to be in an atmosphere where women, men, and children can all enjoy the beach without stressing about swimsuits or struggling to avoid tan-lines. Men also wore less clothing, or clothing that is typically considered feminine, like leggings and "short shorts". It was so relaxed. The only people who reacted negatively to it were, you guessed it, Americans.
13. My Abuela's Home-cooking Is The Best I've Ever Eaten
Nothing can compete with her paella. (Luckily, she didn't use rabbit in her recipes like some of the other host families).
14. Even Europe Hates Donald Trump
Not even a language barrier and culture barrier can disguise his antics.
On the other hand, Papa Francesco is quite the celebrity.
15. I Should Have Read The Fine Print
Class registration and add/drop policies turned out to be more important than I had thought, and I had to jump through some major hoops later on in the semester.
16. I Should Have Taken Less Naps
Well, I sure didn't take any naps on the 110-kilometer hike on the Camino de Santiago, a famous trail that starts in France and ends in the northwest corner of Spain.
17. I Could Have Brought 1/3 As Many Clothes
If you live with a host family, especially in Spain, they do laundry almost every day. You only need two weeks worth of clothes, but come prepared with a good coat, scarves, hats, etc. It can be cold if you travel north, even in northern Spain.
18. A Pocket That Can Be Picked, Will Be Picked
I was pretty careful, but the last weekend of my stay, myself and two other Americans had our phones swiped out of our pockets in the streets of Alicante. Once before that, a man had unzippered my bag, and was following me through a crowd. Beware of crowds, and trust no one. That includes children. They're the worst.
19. If You Go To The Nordic Region, Go When The Skies Are Clear
You can see the Northern Lights, but plan for when the weather isn't supposed to be overcast.
20. Don't Ever Combine Red Bull And Vodka
Seriously. Caffeine and alcohol is one of the worst combinations. Bide my warning, or you may be spending your Sundays lying in bed in excruciating pain, unable to eat or sleep. Trust me, the last thing you want to do when you're that hungover is homework.
Do, however, take cool pics with your friends at the clubs.
21. Europe Knows What They're Doing
Fellow Americans, I am here today to inform you that the rest of the world knows how to chill. Less time spent working, more time spent having fun. More equality, fewer laws, more freedom. Except for the obnoxious rules on public transportation: no eating, and no putting your feet up on the seats. Apparently they're not aware that public transportation is going to be dirty. Oh, and if you're used to New York drivers, do not flip off the European ones, unless you want the whole city to stop what they're doing and stare at you in shock. What can I say? I'm an American.
