My dad always says that traveling is the best form of education. Being able to experience a new and different culture first-hand allows you to grow in your understanding of yourself and the world, simultaneously.

Over the past two weeks, I've been in Europe (London and Barcelona, each for a week) traveling with my family for vacation. I had an incredible time, and while I was able to learn a lot about myself and the new cultures, I also figured out some things I wish I knew before I left the States.

So, with my experiences and advice from friends who have also gone to Europe for various reasons (traveling abroad, missions trips, vacation, etc.), here are two lists of things I think you should know before heading over and while you are there:

In preparation:

Bring comfortable walking shoes.

You will walk. A lot. And that is an understatement. In some parts of Europe, walking will be the main mode of transportation, regardless if just randomly exploring or going to a specific destination. Not only will you walk around from point A to point B, but you'll walk around your specific destinations (i.e. museums, historical sites, etc.). So no matter what, you're going to be doing a lot of walking. According to the Apple Health App (which is automatically on iPhones), on average I walked about 16,000 steps, seven miles and climbed 15 flights of stairs daily. And that's in two completely different cities. So needless to say, you really will walk a lot.

I personally recommend getting Chacos, or something similar.

Figure out the currency used.

While it might be assumed European countries will use the euro, not every country does. For example, the U.K. uses the pound and the Czech Republic uses the koruna. Check here to view a full list of countries and the currency they use.

Also, consider investing in a coin purse. Other countries actually utilize their dollar coins. And it won't even be single increments either (there's a £2 coin). Bottom line, you'll end up with a lot of loose change.

Look up the language spoken.

While the main language spoken might seem obvious (English in England), others will not (Catalan in Spain). It will also be helpful to anticipate frequent phrases you will use, including basic food items, finding the bathroom, etc. Apple has the Google Translate app which is a great resource if you need to understand more than just a basic phrase. It allows various options to find a translation, with the easiest being "to use your camera for instant text translation" (Google App Description).

Establish things you have to do.

Before you go, make sure to look up things to do and then determine the things you absolutely must do. With so much to see, that unfortunately means there's a good chance you won't get to do everything you want. The list of priorities will help structure your itinerary (depending if you have the flexibility available) for your current trip, but also your next one. I wasn't able to go to Abbey Road or Platform 9 3/4 (even when I did go to King's Cross Station), so now I know to put them at the top of my list if I go back.

Pack smart.

Know the climate you're headed to, try your hardest not to overpack and consider bringing a 22" suitcase. All of these points kind of go hand in hand. A smaller suitcase that meets airport carryon regulations will give you the option of whether or not you want to check your bag, and it will be allowed on other forms of public transit. Also, knowing your climate will allow you to bring the proper clothing, and will also prevent overpacking because you won't need to bring unnecessary items.

While abroad:

Don't be afraid to be a tourist.

If you aren't from the country, you are going to a be a tourist the second you open your mouth to speak, so don't be afraid to do what you want, whether it's with what you wear or getting a specific typical picture. So if you'll naturally stand out, why not go full-blown tourist? Okay, maybe that isn't your thing, but don't be afraid to dress how you want—even if it looks like the dorky tourist. Not only in looks, but also behavior, don't let stereotypes or social judgment prevent you from waiting to get the typical picture or seeing a certain thing, because guess what? Even locals act like tourists. I mean at my school in Chicago, who hasn't taken a picture at The Bean?? And we've done it multiple times too.

My favorite tourist thing? Audio guides.

Dinner is usually around 9 p.m.

I don't know why, but Europeans like to eat a lot later than Americans, on a typical night. If you're seeing a play or musical (do so in London) then you'll have a normal timed dinner, but on your average night peak restaurant attendance is around 9 p.m., but the busy window ranges from 8 to 10 p.m.

Cat calling is more frequent (sorry, ladies).

This is really annoying, but it's just a part of the culture. Pay no attention to it, and don't even acknowledge it happened, even though it will. When we arrived in Barcelona, we had to take a bus from the airport to the city where we were staying, and at a red light a man knocked on the window to say hi to me. I mean it was funny because it was in front of my family and we literally just got to the city—not even because we were still en route to where we were staying. Regardless, they don't mean any harm, just ignore it.

Utilize public transit. It will be your friend.

Most countries have various forms of public transit, such as subways and buses, that are easy and commonly used. They also have various ticket options, for short term and longer term. London has the Oyster card where you reload money to, and in Barcelona, you buy tickets tailored to your transit needs (for example, we got five day unlimited tickets). Get to know what the various systems are and the types of tickets available.

Check out this map of Europe and the metro systems. Just click on the country, and more information and pictures will appear for their system.

Most everyone smokes.

There isn't much to explain here, but more so just to give you a heads up. You'll see most everyone smoking, and the dinner tables outside will have ashtrays. I even saw a girl roll her own cigarette on the metro. It was quite impressive because she did it well and quickly, and it was ready right when she got off at her stop. While I have probably second-hand smoked at least a pack of cigarettes these past two weeks, it is just something that has to be accepted. So if you hate smoking, you have been warned so it doesn't put a damper on your time abroad.

If you've never been across the pond I hope you find this useful, and if you empathize with these tips from personal experience, I hope you've felt nostalgic.

All in all, traveling is incredible and a wonderful adventure. Make the most of the time there, learning, growing and absorbing as much as you can.