Walking through the airport back in the States was weird. My first thought was pure relief. I was ready for my own bed, ready to see my parents, and ready to stop living out of a suitcase. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being abroad. But after two weeks of constant movement, it felt good to be somewhere familiar again. That said, I came back different. And not just in the “I found myself abroad” way. It’s more like my entire perspective got a reset. Especially when it comes to Europe, and America, honestly.
One thing that really stuck with me is everyone overseas spoke multiple languages, casually. Our tour guides, services workers, and even random strangers all just knew different languages. Meanwhile, most Americans grow up only needing English. It started become sad once I thought about it. It made me realize how much more globally connected people can be, and how limiting it is to only speak one language. It’s something I never would’ve truly registered if I hadn’t left.
Before the trip, the idea of working or living abroad seemed cool but also, terrifying? Like something other people did, not me. But after actually figuring out public transportation in Italy, navigating cultural differences, and realizing I could survive (and even thrive) in unfamiliar situations? Yeah, I could definitely see myself doing this again. The world actually felt smaller and way less intimidating.
This is embarrassing, but I noticed how salty American food is. Like, I’m not exaggerating. Everything tasted like I was licking a salt shaker for the first week back. My taste buds had adjusted to European food, and suddenly my normal diet seemed intense. But it’s more than just food. America feels faster and louder when you come back to it. The news, the traffic, how everything moves at this constant pace, I was suddenly aware of it in a way I hadn’t been before. And honestly? It made me realize America isn’t the center of the universe like we kind of grow up thinking it is. There’s so much happening everywhere else, and we could learn a lot from paying attention to it.
If you’re thinking about studying abroad but you’re scared, nervous, or unsure, just do it! Seriously. You probably won’t get another chance like this. The biggest thing is to book your flights and major travel arrangements early, because waiting until the last minute will absolutely drain your bank account. Also, please don’t overpack. I cannot stress this enough. Vacuum-seal bags saved my life and gave me actual room in my suitcase for all the stuff I ended up buying while I was traveling. Honestly, the most important advice is just to be open to the experience. Try new things, talk to people, explore, and let yourself be uncomfortable sometimes. Some of my favorite memories came from doing stuff that completely terrified me or seemed totally out of my comfort zone. That’s where the real growth happens.
I came home excited to see my family and friends, but I also came home knowing I need international experiences to be a regular part of my life. I have new memories, new perspectives, and way more confidence than I left with That’s worth more than any souvenir I could’ve brought back.