When I first arrived at the airport after landing, I was overwhelmed by a mix of happiness and sadness. Although this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I made the most of it, I was happy to be home and to see all my family and friends. It was an amazing trip and I learned so much and had a great time. However, it was also very busy and fast-paced, especially with the number of cities we visited. I do think it was the perfect trip for me, though, because I got a little taste of many different places in Europe. Now, in the future, I’ll have a better idea of where I’d like to return and where I might not. I met so many incredible people while studying abroad, such as the locals, fellow students, and best of all, the professors who made the experience so fulfilling. During my few weeks abroad, I realized how much I take for granted in the United States, such as free water, free public restrooms, and air conditioning. Studying abroad has definitely opened my eyes to the bigger picture. It showed me how different daily life can be around the world. It was fascinating to experience the cultural differences between countries and see how people interact with one another. Most people in Europe speak more than one language and can easily communicate with those from neighboring countries. It really put into perspective how limited our language skills are here, and it’s inspired me to want to learn another language. After spending time in Europe, I wasn’t exactly excited to come back to the food in the States, but I am still grateful for the many conveniences we have here. Overall, Europe was such a unique and eye-opening experience. I truly believe everyone should visit if they get the chance.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I could give someone is to make the most of everything. Say yes to everything. Try everything. Some of my best memories were the spontaneous ones or when things didn’t go according to plan. I always say you’ll never remember anything if everything always goes according to plan. Take what is given or what happens and make the most of it because you only live once.
