After visiting 11 countries, living in the best one, making amazing friends, getting in random peoples cars, sleeping at strangers houses, drinking a ridiculous amount of alcohol daily, beer and wine being cheaper than water, watching sunsets from the streets of Paris to the beaches of Croatia, skinny dipping in the Adriatic Sea, not ever getting enough sleep, 3 doctor appointments and 4 hospital visits (three shots in the butt), and almost four months later, I can truly say I have lived. I have seen places I fell in love with. I have eaten things that I didn’t know existed. I have traveled to countries that have changed me forever. I’m honestly so blessed to be able to say that everyone has treated me well everywhere I traveled to.

How lucky am I to say that I have just experienced the best months of my life with random strangers who became people I love and wish the best for? Or that I was oddly surprised when I arrived in 11 different countries and had a specific memory of someone being unusually kind to me in each and every one of them? I cannot verbally, or through any type of words, explain my experience fully or how these people changed me.

I have learned that America is not the best place in the world, but I am not sure any place is. I have learned that there are things I love about America and things I strongly dislike. I have learned this about every country, though. We all have these amazing things about our cultures, and also some not-so-amazing things! What’s really cool, though, is that every culture has these positives and negatives, so I was able to truly evaluate the good qualities I have and the bad ones. I was able to work on fixing the ones that I don’t like about myself anymore while I was abroad, which was such a neat self learning experience.
I’ve learned that patience is an amazing thing. Americans rush through everything: bagging our groceries, tying our shoes at airports, walking, breathing, etc. Living in Europe has taught me to wait. It’s okay if it takes 4 minutes to get your clothes on at airport security, you’re already in the airport and checking in, there’s no rush (unless you’re late- then hurry up)! The Czech Republic showed me how to take everything in while I’m being patient. I was able to observe more due to not rushing through my life. It helped me truly live, and I hope that I continue to keep this in my everyday life.

I’ve learned that having friends from all over the world can teach you a lot about yourself, too. I love the friends I’ve made from Europe, Canada, Tunisia, and America! I would do anything for them, and I know it’s mutual. I literally couldn’t feel luckier to have met the people I did. They have challenged me, changed me, and encouraged me to be a better person every day. For that, I’m forever grateful!

Now, many people ask if I ever went to school, and the answer is occasionally! Ha! Kidding, but am I?
Yes, I actually did attend a good 75% of class, but if I ever ditched, it was usually either for traveling or the doctor! I did pretty well in school, which I’m happy about because my grades transfer but school is not the place I learned the most from; it was from my experiences. I have so far received almost all A’s, so mom and dad, you’re welcome (just kidding)! I am happy with how I did in school.

What I took away from studying abroad:
It’s okay to spend your money. It’s good to travel, and I’ll never stop going to new places; it’s in my blood! It’s okay to leave the country and not have anything planned for your trip. You’d better be eating new food wherever you go! If you can stay with a local during your trip, do it. Asking people for help is okay, and they are usually right; they will help you not waste time or go the wrong way. Drink because it’s usually fun and will help you meet really cool people! Go to clubs – that’s a huge part of the nightlife. Never be afraid. Everything will fall into place, and everything happens for a reason. Make yourself uncomfortable – that’s when you learn the most about yourself and continue to grow.

To all my friends and family at home:

Thank you. Thank you for constantly reminding me that I have the best group surrounding me at home, and the love I felt across the world is unreal. I will forever appreciate what I felt when I was struggling with things abroad, like my Grandpa’s death and my hospital visits. I am so lucky to have you all❤️

To my study abroad family:

I love you. Thank you for making me a better person. Thank you for being my family when we all needed one the most. Thank you for always showing me kindness, acceptance, and love. You all are incredible people and I am blessed to have been able to have you in my life! I wish I could express to you all how much you mean to me. Just know how lucky I feel to have been able to get to know each and every one of you. I wish we could have had more time, but I’m so incredibly grateful for what we had.

I can’t believe this is the end. I’m so sad to leave, but I know that this has changed me forever in the best ways possible. I couldn’t be happier with my experience and wouldn’t change it for a second.

Na shledanou and SKO BUFFS!