Life in Florence has come to a close, and with that came a return to the mitten state just in time for Christmas. Since then I have been settling back in to life in the U.S. and getting used to the idea of driving everywhere after not driving for four months. Saying I have experienced reverse culture shock would be an understatement. Every time I am sitting around I think about how I should be catching a plane, train, or bus to somewhere new and not sitting at home in the mitten. I have come to realize that not only do European countries live on a slower time, but also that they tend to walk and use public transportation a whole lot more than we do. Even in cities without metro systems, such as Florence, people take buses out of the city center and walk within the city center instead of driving their car down the road or across the city. I have noticed these things the more and more I travel around the mitten going from my home town to Southfield and back,
If you ever get the chance to make a European country your home, even for a short time. Don't even question it, just jump on that plane and go. While missing your friends in the U.S. is bound to happen, it will teach you more about how you as a person act and feel and who is truly important in your life. You will also gain courage and confidence when you are able to successfully order food in a foreign country, when you successfully navigate foreign transportation for the first time, and when you learn that you can visit countries that speak a language you have never heard of before and you are able to navigate around and you are able to make people understand what you are trying to say or do.
The last four months have brought me countless opportunities to grow as a person, and I wouldn't change them for anything. Remember, if you are ever offered the chance to go to Europe, just close your eyes and jump on that opportunity.
If you ever get the chance to make a European country your home, even for a short time. Don't even question it, just jump on that plane and go. While missing your friends in the U.S. is bound to happen, it will teach you more about how you as a person act and feel and who is truly important in your life. You will also gain courage and confidence when you are able to successfully order food in a foreign country, when you successfully navigate foreign transportation for the first time, and when you learn that you can visit countries that speak a language you have never heard of before and you are able to navigate around and you are able to make people understand what you are trying to say or do.
The last four months have brought me countless opportunities to grow as a person, and I wouldn't change them for anything. Remember, if you are ever offered the chance to go to Europe, just close your eyes and jump on that opportunity.