Recently, my family and I completed our bienial trip to Europe. Some may find this roughly formed tradition that we have to be an odd one. A myriad of people I interact with about the decision to leave the United States every 2 years find it pointless.
They all say, “Coburn, why would you want to leave the U.S? After all, we have everything here.”
To that claim -- which will later prove to be ridiculous at best, and outlandish at worst -- I make the assertion that by packing your bags and flying across the pond to Europe, you are doing so much more than simply leaving home for a period of time.
Calling the international voyage across the Atlantic an adventure would be an understatement. This isn’t a 3 hour drive to go visit grandma.
You will travel through many time zones on the first leg on your journey. As a result of this massive time shift, the jet lag that comes of this can be brutal at times.
I know, you’re probably asking yourself, “That doesn’t sound even remotely fun. Why would I want to subject myself through this turmoil just to visit Europe?”
You see, this is just step one of the culmination of what making just one visit to a European country can do to better yourself as a person.
Adaptations will be made.
The experience of being this jetlagged reminds you that maybe waking up early for school or work isn’t all that bad.
Once you arrive in the foreign country of your choosing and leave the airport-- I know, it’s not an easy choice -- you will immediately notice how vastly different Europe is from America.
At first, this might scare you -- I know it did for me when I was a junior in high school arriving in Spain. Change is a scary concept. When you grow up your whole life experiencing only one way of life, the curveball that is being in a new place for the first time.
The next problem you will encounter, is undoubtedly the language barrier. Since America is one of a handful of countries that speak English, you will be in the minority during your stay.
Albeit, 38% of Europeans possess enough English skills to help you out, it will still pose as a challenge throughout your visit. After all, Google Translate will only get you so far.
This is where critical, almost survival-like, problem-solving skills are formed. You learn how to survive without the English language, and how to communicate and get around in a variety different ways.
On my recent trip, while spending a week near the Southern Coast of France, in the small town of Chateauneuf-de-Gadagne -- which, by the way, is a town that almost nobody speaks English in -- I had to get some groceries.
Sounds simple, right? Until you throw in the language barrier. Against all odds, I managed to get it done. I bought all the essentials for the week and was even able to communicate well enough to purchase a steak from the local butcher who, once again, spoke no English.
It’s this newfound ability to problem solve effectively while on-the-go that will bode well for any future endeavors that could be encountered in the States.
Aside from the linguistic discrepancy, there is a laundry list of other tidbits that once experienced in Europe, will make living in America that much easier.
The linguistic discrepancy is perhaps the most daunting facet of travelling to Europe. Everybody struggles with it unless you took the said language in high school. Something that develops, however, when you leave the U.S is a newfound appreciation of the country that we call home.
I feel like I speak for the majority of population when I say that I truly do love the United States of America. It is, and always will be, my homeland.
However, just like when we grow tired of eating the same food over and over, we can grow bored of being the States. This is exactly why scheduling a trip to Europe can be crucial.
By immersing yourself into a different culture. In essence, by living a new life for a short period of time, it makes you miss your old life, in a way. In turn, you end up missing and loving America that much more.
Now, I’m not here to tell you to open up a new tab and book the next flight to Milan, but making the decision to travel to Europe is one that you won’t soon regret.
