20 Thoughts of a Student Abroad!

20 Thoughts of a Student Abroad!

After being abroad multiple times, I have found there are thoughts nobody else understands except for those who go abroad for a month, semester, or year! I'm not talking about those people who vacation to the nice islands for 2 weeks and think they've been gone for years. I'm talking about those who go and fully immerse themselves in the culture for an extended period of time and who actually feel the highs and lows of being abroad!

From arrival to departure, below is a list of thoughts we have!

1. This place is beautiful, I never want to leave here!

    Upon arrival in a new country, everything is new, fun, and amazing! All I want to do is explore all day everyday and I begin to plan my future in the country! I never want to leave and I'm going to live here forever and ever!

2. Best Food EVERRRR!
    I never want American food again & I am going to try as many restaurants as possible! I begin going out and tasting these new foods, sure they make me a little sick at first, but who cares?! I'm only here for a little bit and need to try EVERY restaurant in this town or else I won't feel like I've officially lived here.

3. Architecture... HELLO BEAUTIFULNESS!
    Everything is ancient and beautiful with such details, why don't we have this in the states?! This will never get old!

4. Sweets for Breakfast?!
    Heck yes!!!

5. NUTELLA!!!!!
   Why hasn't this stuff become as popular in the states?! Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner.... there's always nutella incorporated!

6. WHERE ARE THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS?!
   Never pass up an opportunity to pee because public restrooms are few and far between, not too mention they cost money!

7. Why don't the toilets flush better?!
   There's never a normal "flusher" like in the States. I'll never take a toilet bowl filled with water for granted again... it flushes so much better!

8. Children who speak foreign languages are adorable!
   Although I'm a bit jealous of the children because they speak the language better than I do, they are absolutely adorable!!

9. Let's Explore the entire country!
    I'm in a new country so I need to take advantage of it and explore not only my city but every city around! I plan thousands of trips! Sure they cost a lot of money, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity right? I'll work EXTRA hard when I get home to make up for lost money!

10. The clubs here are awesome! 
    No matter how the clubs are, they are new and different! What happens in a foreign country, stays in a foreign country right? Even your phone stays in the country after it's been stolen or lost at some point during that night you stayed out too late.

11. Where did all of my money go?!
    I travelled too much, the clubs were way too expensive and that whole eating out all the time thing... What was I thinking?

12. Mmmmm, Pasta!
    After spending all that money, I'm going to live off pasta to make it through the rest of this trip. Survival 101 when broke: eat pasta!

13. I've gained SOOOO much weight!
    Sure the food was great and totally worth it, but did I really need to eat crepes with nutella every single day? 20 pounds later... that was probably a bad idea. Do I regret it? Absolutely not!

14. Where's the closest CHIPOTLE?!
     Like really though, why hasn't chipotle moved to every country yet?!

15. I NEED American food!
     I've been here too long and am sick of the food and want nothing more than McDonald's, Mac N Cheese, Peanut Butter, and Beef Jerky! OK, maybe not the McDonald's, but it's American and I'd totally settle for it! Care package anyone?!

16. I miss my car!!
    Although public transportation is awesome and saves money, I totally miss the freedom of driving my car wherever, whenever! Sometimes that drive through the country roads with my music blaring is just what I need!

17. I miss 24.7 stores and restaurants!!
     OK, call me crazy, but I miss being able to make a late night run to the store to get something or the ability to go to a restaurant at any time of the day (no more siesta hours from 12-3)! Steak N Shake at 3 am?! Yes please!

18. I miss my sweatpants & yoga pants!
    Being in a foreign country, I've realized America is such a lazy place to live where it is completely acceptable to go out in sweatpants or yoga pants. However, dressing "casually cute" everyday in a foreign country is the norm and if I went to the grocery store or class in yoga pants I would be looked at like I'm absolutely crazy!! I just want my lazy days back!

19. Where did all of my time go?!
     Wow I can't believe I leave tomorrow! It feels like I just arrived yesterday!!

& When you finally arrive back in America...

20. OMG I MISS IT! THAT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!
     Although there were things I missed about America, I will never forget the amazing experiences I've had & I need to go back ASAP!!!