- Everyday is filled with extravagant, over-the-top activities.
- You have the infinite money/time/ ability to party constantly.
- School is easier.
- The iphone maps app and uber are decent enough means to navigate.
- Having no one to answer to is always awesome.
LIES. All lies.
You get to do so many cool things while abroad. But there are days that are just normal. Despite my best efforts to fool you on Instagram, really, some days are meant for just existing in bed, or going to the grocery store, or doing some of the mountains of laundry that never fail to accumulate. Not all days are meant for skydiving, folks.
The newfound legality that accompanies going abroad is fun. 18 is very adult here; 20 is basically elderly and suddenly there’s no parents (ie no rules). Many weekends are accompanied with power ballads and bar crawling and meeting locals, but all the energy/ time/ money in the world can still run out. Also, if you're going out too much, you might be known as this girl:
School is different. People in other countries structure their academics completely in contrast to the good old U S of A. Not all of these changes are horrible; in fact, some of them are arguably better, but it does make for an experience where, despite the longing to through all academics to the wind, you’ve got to be a present student.
Examples include but aren't limited to:
Navigation is difficult and it’s the tendency of any technologically advanced young adult to slap some addresses into their phone and go. First off, foreign phones and foreign wifi aren’t reliable, or even present, in all situations. Secondly, being able to get around without them is so important. Familiarizing oneself with public transit and the world around us is just a part of the abroad adventure.
Me always as I wander alone throughout the city:
See the no parents, no rules!! of number #2. It’s true that the newfound independence of this time is bangin’. Not only do you not have to answer to anyone, but also, the people you normally answer to are thousands of miles away and thusly can’t be upset during your rebellion. But, downside, it’s really difficult when parental reassurance is needed/ homesickness sets in/ you don’t know what cold medicine to buy and you’ve been sneezing for three weeks.
Also, sometimes there's no hug like a mom hug, ya feel?
(All images from Giphy.)
