Now that I’m back home, I’ve been feeling pretty sad that my time abroad is over. I definitely missed some food spots like Chick-fil-A and Willy’s while I was in Europe, and it was fun to have those again, but it’s hard to beat the food in Europe. Everything there just felt fresher and lighter, and I actually felt better physically from eating smaller portions of clean, quality food. Since being back, one thing I’ve really noticed is how oversized a lot of portions in America are, it’s a small thing, but it really stands out after getting used to more balanced meals.
Looking back, I would 100% recommend studying abroad to anyone. It’s only one semester, but it feels like a lifetime of experiences packed into a few months. It’s something you may never get the chance to do again in your life. I went with two of my friends from home, which made the transition a lot easier and helped keep homesickness to a minimum.
In terms of advice: bring one really solid pair of shoes that you can walk in all day and still wear out at night, trust me, you’ll put in miles. Also, one of my favorite little traditions was getting a local beer in every country I visited. It was a fun way to try something new and feel connected to the local culture. Each place had its own flavors and prices, and it became something I always looked forward to.
