I had never stepped foot out of the US until this trip. I was honestly very nervous to be in a foreign country. Getting off the plane in Heathrow Airport was an event in itself. My very first passport stamp (now a scan) and a whole new world was revealed to me. From the beautiful, breathtaking architecture to the thickest local accent, London was truly a fantastic place. The rich and lengthy history is baffling. There is something to striking about seeing the Elizabeth Tower and Parliament in pictures all your life and suddenly you are riding past them on a bike. This was only the beginning. The great thing about this program in particular is that we visit seven countries across Europe. I saw not only the great city of London, but Paris, Avignon, Nice, Monaco, Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, Munich, and Lucerne. Honestly, the most shocking thing was that there was practically no language barrier. Almost everyone I spoke to was fluent in English. Students were also given a helpful list of common phrases. It is paramount to never forget your manners when abroad, so knowing “please” and “thank you” in the language of said country is never a bad idea. The thing that I thought most different from the US was how old everything is. These ancient structures have been around for hundreds of years. Some are protected sites, like Pont Du Gard, the largest roman aqueduct in Europe, others are ancient facades that house modern businesses. Even the chambers of government hold fascinating histories, like how part of parliament was left damaged after the Blitz in World War II to remind lawmakers of the weight of their decisions. I would have never sought the information I gained on this trip if I had not taken the first leap and decided that my education was not complete without a study abroad.
