The 100 Things I Learned From Studying Abroad

I know, I know. It' been a while since I posted. Now back in the US, I have been procrastinating these last few blog posts. I think part of me feels like once I write these, being abroad is actually over. According to this blog, I have been in Karlovy Vary now for about a month. I guess those healing waters were able to stop time as well.

I love being home, don't get me wrong. It has been amazing to get to see my family and friends again. (and to be back with free water!)

I was lucky to get to come home on my mom's 50th birthday! My mom waited for me in the airport with a huge sign that her students made for me, it was so cute! We went out to dinner as a family after my flight landed! I forgot how huge American portions were. After stuffing myself with FREE bread rolls *sigh* I couldn't finish my meal. Anyone who knows me knows how rare that is. I have a food picture section on this blog for crying out loud.

There were quite a few life lessons I learned being abroad. I thought I would share my new-found wisdom from my 5 months of being a broke college kid traveling the world. Take it as you will.

The 100 things I learned from studying abroad:

1. Never-ever-under any circumstance- do your homework in your apartment. You are in a foreign country with limitless cafes. I went to 20 in Prague alone. (Stay tuned for a coffee shop review post) You meet so many local people, and you get to explore the city finding secret coffee shops!

2. If a European restaurant puts down a bread basket on your table, you will be charged regardless if you eat it. It's part of the "cover charge." Eat the bread.

3. You are going to feel ugly when traveling to Milan. That's a fact. Guess what? Those people get payed to look that way. It is literally their full time job to be attractive. You will probably get payed for your brain or something.

4. When in doubt, wear black.

5. If you are going to get a tattoo in a foreign language, make sure you ask multiple native-speakers about the translation. Unless you want "potato" on your bicep forever.

6. Make friends from other countries at school. It is great getting to travel the world with the people from your college, but you can learn so much traveling with people from other cultures.

7. When people ask you about Trump, have the world's most vague answer, or claim to be Canadian.

8. Don't talk loudly on the Prague metro, a police officer will immediately come up to you and ask to see your metro card. They know you are a tourist.

9. Cooking is cool and saves you money, but you can find local dives that are super cheap and authentic! Do your research.

10. You will start to really value waking up early. I recorded a majority of my YouTube videos at 5 AM before the tourists were out. I was also lucky enough to catch two sunrises in Prague! Don't sleep in when you are living in a place with so much to uncover!

11. If a sketchy person won't leave you alone trying to sell you things, just start saying your foreign lyrics from choir. Our favorite was responding using our Swahili lyrics. "Baba We Tu!" "Mungo Ni Pendo!" You will really throw them off.

12. Find your favorite European clothing stores. H&M can be super tempting, but no one back home will have the same dress from that German boutique!

13. Research places to get authentic souvenirs for your friends back home. So many touristy places sell things made in China, and make you pay ridiculous amounts of money for something that wasn't even made in that country. I found the coolest things at local hand-crafted stores!

14. Go to the farmers markets. Pick up some kolaches, buy yourself some flowers, and help support the local farmers!

15. If someone grabs your ankles in a club, it means they are interested in you. Jump a lot when you are dancing so this isn't possible.

16. Post offices are impossible, and be ready to have a mini heart attack when you see how much it costs to send all of your postcards. It might be easier for you to bring gifts and written letters back home with you when you leave.

17. Time differences can be tough. Try to schedule times with your family and friends at the beginning of the week, so you don't have the 4 am FaceTime after a day of missed calls and different schedules.

18. Metro PDA is a huge thing in Europe. If a couple starts making out in front of you on the escalator, there's not much you can do. Sorry.

19. Wherever you are, "excuse me" ("Pardon" in Czech) becomes one of the most common phrases you will need to know. I used this about 15 times a day, whether rushing to class or trying to squeeze between tourists taking pictures.

20. If possible, don't take the Budapest metro. Just don't do it.

21. Ask a nice-looking person if you can pet their dog every once in a while. It will help you more than you know.

22. When buying a smoothie, it most likely will be warm. Europeans barely ever use ice. The only iced ones I found in Prague were at Costa Coffee and McDonalds.

23. Speaking of McDonalds, don't get it. When we were road tripping through Germany, it was 12 Euros for a meal there. That's not even cheap. And you could eat it every day back in America, unless Super Size Me scared you off.

24. See the city from the water. Rent a paddle boat, go on a dinner cruise, or have someone row you and a friend around! It's a fun way to see the city, and perfect for a warm day!

25. Many British people are extremely different than the ones you grew up watching on American TV. One of our Russian friends said to us, "Americans view the British as these very classy and civilized princess types. The rest of Europe views them as that drunk uncle." Traveling to London, we were very surprised with all of the beer bottles smashed over heads during our time on the tube.

26. Conversion apps will save your life.

27. If you happen to be that person with a working phone and GPS, don't let people know for a while. You will end up being the group googler and guide, and it gets old pretty fast.

28. Empty out the foreign currency from your wallet before traveling to a different place. It gets really confusing.

29. FaceTime your pets every once in a while! Or every day. At least once an hour.

30. Go listen to live music! We were regulars at a Jazz club in Prague, and loved listening to music in a local environment. Research restaurants with live music, it adds so much to the experience! One of my favorite memories in Europe was listening to a Gypsy duet play over our wine in Budapest!

31. See if any of your family can come out to visit you! I was SO blessed to have my dad, mom, and boyfriend come visit me in Europe! For me, it was really hard trying to explain my love of all the places I had traveled. Those who are lucky enough to visit will get to understand what you are leaving behind and what you have fallen in love with. Also it helps with homesickness.

32. Write a blog. Duh. Even if no one else reads it, you will love being able to look back on your memories and experiences. And words help justify what pictures cannot.

33. Go to the museums. I learned so much history from visiting museums, and I loved seeing artifacts from beginnings of time. For me, this really helped my understanding of the timeline of a city. You see all of these famous buildings and churches, but sometimes it is hard to understand the big picture.

34. You will meet people with cultural upbringings extremely different from your own. We met people with arranged marriages, people who came from countries where being gay was illegal, people who believed women shouldn't have jobs, and all sorts of crazy things. You can't try to convince them that these things are wrong, because that is a part of their culture and upbringing. It may be hard to understand, but can also help you to personally strengthen your beliefs.

35. If packing for the winter season, you could literally wear the same thing everyday and no one would notice. Invest in a high quality winter-jacket, because it will be in every single picture. Add a different scarf or hat to switch it up, but don't worry about packing every single one of your favorite, bulky, sweaters.

36. When grocery shopping, make sure you don't take forever getting out your money or second guess purchases. The grocery ladies will scream at you. We found this out at multiple grocery stores.

37. Bring a paper copy of your passport and IDs in case you lose the hard copy. Keep them in a safe or somewhere hidden in your apartment.

38. In many countries, beer is cheaper than water. I personally am not a huge beer drinker, but it gives you an excuse to try the famous ones in different countries.

39. In the country you are living, try to see all of the different sides of it. City, country, suburb, forest, mountain, sea. The people are all extremely different, and it definitely gives you a much deeper perspective of the citizens of that country.

40. Go on some hikes. These were my favorite times to reflect, see breathtaking views, and get some exercise!

41. Get some sort of app or watch that tracks how long you walk every day. You will walk a lot. It's pretty cool getting that mileage number to show off!

42. Bring bottled water with you wherever possible. This saved me lots of money, and helped with the dehydration from walking so much every day.

43. Read the news. It is important to know what is going on in the world, and what areas to avoid.

44. You are, believe it or not, going to school when you study abroad. Make sure you don't get so caught up in traveling that you forget to study for finals or write your essays. I guess you probably wouldn't be shocked, buy many people's credits don't even transfer if they don't pass the class. Work hard, play hard.

45. Everyone you go abroad with is looking for a different thing out of the experience. You can't judge people for wanting to mostly party, sit in their room, or not try the cultural foods. This trip is about you, and getting to create your own meaning to the experience. Don't waste your time worrying about those people, because in their opinion, they probably aren't missing out. You do you!

46. That being said, eat as much goulash as possible. It is life-changing.

47. When you are abroad, don't take a break from your dreams. You can still hustle from across the world. For me, I did lots of songwriting, recorded lots of singing videos, and worked on my production skills with travel videos! (to be uploaded soon) Bringing your dreams abroad with you can totally enrich the experience, and give you lots of opportunities! Don't take time off from yourself.

48. I made sure to pray and take some time to look at scripture. Seeing so many different churches was incredibly moving, and made me want to grow even more through Christ. He got me here, after all!

49. Go inside churches of religions different than yours. We visited the most famous Synagogues, Mosques, and Temples of cities. I keep using the word culture, but I really think it is important to put things in perspective and a good learning tool.

50. Thank your parents as much as possible, without them, you would never see half of these things. Make sure to always be gracious.

51. When booking a hostel, make sure it is in the right country. In Milan, we realized our friend had accidentally booked the sister hostel in Malaysia. We laugh about it now, but definitely make sure you 100% know where you are spending the night when you travel.

52. Hostel World and Air BnB will become your best friends. Try to stay the same places as your friends, for safety purposes, and so that your hostel fees go down!

53. Get good walking shoes. Many places we traveled to had cobblestone streets, and heels were a death sentence. I wore the same flat ankle boots on almost every trip, and they worked great!

54. Bring hiking sticks when you hike the Tatras in Slovakia.

55. Look up different road trip games, they will make those 8 hour bus trips so much more enjoyable. Riddles are always fun!

56. Chocolate chips are not sold in most grocery stores, and breaking up a chocolate bar in a pancake will not work.

57. Bring a notebook/ journal. I loved going to different cafes to write and doodle! Also, while on the road, it made for limitless games of hangman!

58. Gardens are always a go. In the springtime, go on as many picnics as humanly possible. You won't regret it.

59. Go places alone. There is something about planning a day adventure for yourself in a foreign country that is so rewarding. I took myself out to Czech dinners a few nights, and loved exploring different galleries and gardens. Why wait half the day for people to wake up or get out of class? Seize the day!

60. Go to the Opera. Just remember, there is no AC. Plan who you sit next to accordingly.

61. Buy some translated famous books from whatever country you are living in! I loved reading Czech classics on airplanes and busses!

62. Prepare yourself for the stress that comes along with buying European hair/makeup products. We spent no less than a half hour picking out our shampoo and conditioner. Nothing is translated into English. You will probably have some weird hair days. Get over it.

63. In the Budapest thermal baths, stick to the outdoor ones. The inner ones are a lot of old men in speedos.

64. Eat a vegetable every once in a while. Even, as one of our teachers called it, if Prague is the land of the unhappy salad.

65. I wrote myself postcards. This sounds weird, but I would recommend it. I bought one for myself every place we went, and wrote my favorite memories there on the back.

66. No matter how cold the water is in Croatia, jump right in. When will you get that opportunity again?

67. During my time in Europe, I went to three separate concentration camps. I think every human needs to go. It is so important.

68. Give a dollar to that kid playing the guitar on the street.

69. Don't feed the pigeons.

70. Start up a conversation with a store owner, or those people in front of you in line! One of my friends and I ended up going to lunch with two strangers we talked to in front of us, and we had some awesome conversations!

71. You don't see this in a lot of the pictures people post abroad, but traveling can be exhausting. Taking planes, busses, and trains to different countries mixed with catching up on school work can take a toll on your sleep. Take some time for yourself, and try to work ahead as much as possible. You don't want to be hiking mountains and worrying about that History assignment.

72. It's okay to be a tourist. You are one, after all. When in Salzburg, sing the Sound Of Music soundtrack as often as possible.

73. Make use of your school's free coffee. I got to know the people working for our abroad program real well.

74. Learn how to be without your phone. There will be times where the wifi is spotty, or you won't have service for a weekend. I actually rather enjoy this, as it helps you live in the moment.

75. Buy a recipe book (or two) so you can recreate your favorite European dishes at home!

76. Make sure to keep your shoulders and knees covered when visiting the Vatican in Rome. I somehow got away with wearing holy jeans. Maybe since it was a holy place. (Cue laugh track)

77. When throwing a coin into The Trevi Fountain, make sure to think about your wish for a while. When will you get that chance again?

78. "Ano" means yes in Czech. If you say "no," people may think you are agreeing with something. This will happen often.

79. Look up. Always.

80. Run away if you see a man with doves on his shoulders. He will make them fly over to you, then charge you something ridiculous for a photo he took. Keep running.

81. Buy some artwork. An easy, light souvenir to take home, and a fun way to display your travels!

82. Keep a list of all the restaurants you go to. Great way to recommend places to friends, and you can find your favorite traditional food places to come back to!

83. Travel to some places you wouldn't typically go to on a trip to Europe. Now is the time to go on short trips to places like Bosnia, Slovenia, and Slovakia! Not the mention the different cities in your host country!

84. Go to as many castles as possible, and pretend to be Cinderella.

85. If you have ancestors who lived in a country around you, go to that area! My dad and I traveled to Benesov, Czech Republic, to see the town many of our old relatives were from. It is such a rewarding experience, and you can learn more about your heritage!

86. Before you go to an area, read a travel blog for some tips. If we hadn't bought tickets for the Vatican online, we would have had to wait in a 3 hour line.

87. People watch. Try to guess what people are discussing in a different language. You might find yourself picking up some of the words, or getting better at the accent.

88. Take photos and videos, but most importantly, take a "mental snapshot." You want to remember how you felt in that moment.

89. There are going to be days where it gets hard. Whether you are homesick, under the weather, or missing your favorite taco place, it is okay to not always be okay. The people you hang out with abroad become your family, and you will see everyone you know break down at some point. This is totally normal. Learn how everyone responds to grief, and either give them some space or a hug.

90. Go to the Easter markets. There is live music, local crafts and goodies, festive decorations, painted eggs, and tons of traditional food to try!

91. Bring back lots of European candy. Try to hold out eating it as long as possible. I lasted less than a week. Thankfully, World Market has lots of European snacks, and I am making a trip there soon!

92. Find a restaurant in your area that serves your favorite foods from abroad! In DC, there is a Czech restaurant that I can't wait to try!

93. Invest in a good backpack for weekend trips. A lot of the student airlines will make you pay for your bag if it doesn't fit inside this tiny bin. Pack as minimistically as possible. When you look back on the trip, you won't care that you wore the same jeans every day that one weekend.

94. Get a high quality airplane playlist. I loved dreaming and staring out the window while listening to my favorite singer/songwriters

95. Unfortunately, we live in a time where some men still think it's okay to cat call women. Especially in big cities, this might happen to you a lot. As much as you might want to punch them in the face, sometimes pretending to not be affected by it can be more effective.

96. Listen to music from that country. Not just the traditional stuff, but the current popular artists. They don't just listen to American music, after all.

97. Make a few goals for yourself coming abroad. Maybe there is one country you really want to visit, or a language you want to learn. Now is the time to dream big.

98. You don't always have to be cheap. I think it is healthy to splurge every once in a while. A lot of these places you won't visit again, so get the duck, buy that VIP tour ticket, go to that concert, and toast with some champagne at sunset.

99. At the end of the day, you won't remember what people said, but you will remember how they made you feel. Always choose to be kind.

100. When you come back from being abroad, you will likely miss the traveling and the new adventures every day. Many people make the mistake of thinking you can only have these life changing experiences when traveling the world. If you really want to change, or want to see new things, start today. There are so many things you probably haven't even done in the USA, or in your nearby city. Every day is a new opportunity to grow, meet new people, and create. We are lucky enough to have freedoms in our country, and I hope you take advantage of each day. If you live anticipating the next big trip, or the next huge event in your life, you could miss the many small, beautiful things, along the way. Always be gracious.