Different doesn’t mean wrong
Whether there is a lack of air conditioning, unfamiliar food or ice-cold showers, there are numerous ways of life that differ from our typical daily routines in the United States. It’s important to realize that even if something is different than our lives, that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I can’t express how essential it is to see a local’s perspective of these differences.
Leave the Hawaiian shirt at home
Avoid at all costs being a tacky tourist. Yes, it is a great privilege to be an American, but traveling becomes more of an experience when you get off the typical tourist destinations and start seeing how the locals live. Some of my favorite times abroad have been spent walking and talking like the natives.
Let’s get lost tonight
Some of the best times I’ve had while traveling have been getting lost and stumbling upon something amazing that I wouldn’t have seen if I was on the beaten path. I found my favorite restaurant in Barcelona by simply wandering around the neighborhood where I was staying – little did I know that I’d find a world-renowned restaurant after turning a corner. Sometimes you don’t know what is out there until you see it yourself!
Get out of your bubble
When you study abroad, you have to get out of your comfort zone in order to make the most of your situation. It’s not the cheapest thing in the world to travel so why would you waste the money you have saved up to go to another country to take naps and always eat American food? That’s not living! Try new foods and see new places. My grandma challenged me to eat a different food each day, and it’s been fun (and sometimes disgusting).
Priorities, people
While in another country and constantly introducing yourself to new people, it’s easy to realize what is truly important to you and what your passions are because it’s the first thing you’ll talk about. Since you’re away from the distractions of everyday life back home, it’s beautiful to slow down and focus on the things in your life that bring you true joy. Also, you begin to have a new appreciation for the things and people you’ve left back home – it makes returning that much sweeter.
