I have been in France for a week now and in Europe for roughly two weeks. I have very much enjoyed this experience. It has already changed my perspective on the world. Aside from the food and all the beautiful architecture, the coolest thing has been meeting people from other countries. At this point, I have only been to three countries in Europe but it is interesting just how distinct cultures are across relatively short distances. It has been refreshing to meet Europeans from Scotland to France and learn their stories. If I had any advice for students planning to go abroad, it would be this: lead with the fact that you are from Texas. People in Europe run into Americans all the time, but they love meeting Texans. They have a strong idea of the cowboy boot-wearing, gunslinging Texan and it helps to go all in with that identity.
