Hindsight

Being in Barcelona as a college graduate is undoubtedly much different than being here as a student studying abroad. Hanging around with college kids will definitely throw waves of nostalgia at you, and also make you rethink your time abroad. I hear all of these plans and new questions, and can’t help but to think of things that I would have done differently.

1. I would have spent my time traveling to those places I will probably never go again. Not to say in any way that I didn’t love the traveling that I did in Europe – there wasn’t a city I didn’t like or an experience that I regret. But I wish I had been a little more adventurous, and chosen the places like Istanbul, Morocco, Hungary. Those are all places that I will most likely never go with my family later on in life, and even with the best job in the world some of them may not work out.

2.     I would have spent more time exploring Paris and less time being hungover. Granted, most Barcelona kids go out during the week so they’re just hungover during class, but I had my fair share of Fridays and Saturdays that were spent watching tv online instead of out and about learning the city in which I was living. I am so lucky that I have gotten to go back to Paris, but if I could say anything to my study abroad self, it would be “the whole bottle isn’t worth it."

3.     I would have sent more postcards. My boyfriend at the time’s Granny lived in the south of England, and had an entire wall of postcards from all of her family and friends and the places they’d been. I actually did send her a postcard from every place that I went, but I wish I had sent them to my family, to my friends, etc. How cool would it be for my 10 yr old sister to have a postcard timeline from my travels abroad? I’m definitely trying to make an effort now, but it won’t be the same.

4.     I would have done a homestay. Now, for anyone already abroad, this is moot, but for those of you considering it – there is nothing like the challenge of living with another family and their culture to really allow you to understand a new city. Living in France this summer was one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve ever had, and not only am I now fluent in French, but I feel like I can relate to the French people as a whole.

I’m sure there are more, but this isn’t meant to sound like a wave of regrets. I absolutely loved being abroad, which is why I came back to Europe this year - I couldn’t get it out of my system. It’s just a reminder to appreciate every single small detail and to see the bigger picture at the same time. This opportunity really is just once in a lifetime, and as Ferris tells us, don’t miss it.

A Foodie's Food Frustrations in Europe

A. Ketchup that isn't Heines. This might seem like a minor detail, but organic/knockoff ketchup is the bane of my existence.

B. Breakfast as we know and love it does not exist in the Schengen States. The UK comes decently close, but there is nothing worse than toast when all you want is an eggwhite omelette with mushrooms, fines herbs and goat cheese. Or huevos rancheros. Or home fries. Or french toast with a side of sausage. The worst part is, you would think opening up an amazing breakfast place would be the jackpot of all jackpots. But the only people who would go to it would be Americans if the faces my French family gave me this summer when I ate eggs at breakfast instead of dinner are any indication.

C. Speaking of huevos rancheros - how is Mexican cuisine the most challenging thing to come out of America? There are "tex mex" restaurants scattered throughout Spain, mostly to attract homesick and hungover American students but they just can't quite get to that level of flavor that I would describe as "simple" to accomplish.

D. Caesar salads. Have you ever ordered a Caesar salad in Italy? It comes with balsamic and olive oil. Just...no.

E. Sandwiches. England actually has a couple decent ones, and France has Pret-a-Manger, but typical, build your own sandwich places just don't exist. Neither do bagels. BAGELS.


All of this being said, there are definitely things that Europe has that the U.S. does not. Like French bread and pastry, Spanish Iberico ham, and just anything Italian in Italy. But that's for another post.

Love the one you're with

A girl I met studying in Ireland told me that she didn’t want to travel anywhere else but within her country during her semester abroad. I was dumbfounded – I couldn’t imagine not taking advantage of the opportunity to explore Europe as much as possible.

Upon discussing it with my Bus2alps roommates, however, who are all extensively well traveled and have all had their own European adventures, Grace said, “Well, technically that is the way you’re supposed to do it. Really just stay in one new place and get to know it the best you can.”

I in no way have any regrets about my study abroad experience, but Grace and this student have a point. I was so excited to be in Europe that when I studied in Paris, I was barely in Paris. I went to so many places on the weekends that by the end of the semester, I scarcely knew the city I was living in. My program offered day trips throughout France as well, but I only went on one of the two I was allowed to go on and didn’t even think to try and explore within the same country. It wasn’t until this summer that I saw the south of France – which is an entirely different place and absolutely amazing. I am obsessed with every inch of the French Riviera and cannot wait until I get the chance to explore Auvergne.

This is why if I could do it over again, I would take advantage of the Bus2alps day trips as much as possible. The day trips that we have leaving out of Barcelona are IN-CRED-IBLE, and I really can’t justify not going on them. I know this might seem like a shameless plug, but our trip to Montserrat & Cava tasting is probably going to be my favorite day this semester. I’m also counting down the days until our trip to Southern Spain – Barcelona is so different from the rest of the country, and the chance to experience that difference is an opportunity I refuse to let pass by.

This is not to say don’t go to the rest of Europe. Do. Go everywhere. Go to Prague and Croatia and Paris and Morocco. Fall in love with every city that you can. Just remember that you are here to live here too, and some of the best travels can be found just half an hour outside of your door.