As a college student, opportunities are everywhere. Between study abroad programs your school offers, to private "college-age" travel agencies who book your whole trip for you, to just grabbing a passport and a backpack and going on an adventure all by yourself — there is no reason to not explore the world.
In March 2015, I ventured out of the United States with seven other Fort Hays State students and one of our teachers. It was easily the best time of my life! I got an invaluable sense of smallness, finally experiencing how big the world actually was.
1. Don't pack the "just in case" heels.
Trust me. Don't waste your precious suitcase space, especially if you are only taking a carry on! You are going to think, "Oh, I want to dress up and go out at least one night!" You will never wear them. Think about this — most of Paris is covered in old cobblestone streets. If you are like me, you still trip on them even in tennis shoes. It's a trap! Use that extra space to pack an extra scarf.
2. Stairs. So many freaking stairs.
Is that all Europe is? Just an unimaginable amount of stairs to get to literally anything?! On the plus side — them calves, guuuurl! You don't get to this kind of view without hiking up an ungodly amount of stairs- usually either cast iron spiral staircases or worn stone stairs... Worth it!
P.S. DON'T WEAR THE SUPER CUTE BOOTS. IT'S A TRAP.
3. Food shaming.
Being food shamed by friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers in the United States sucks, but it's not awful. I'm a very picky eater, I like things left plain. Sauces on the side, casseroles are yucky, etc. I never thought the random guy at "Our Crepe Shop" (as we so affectionately called it) would torture me every single time I went in for a panini "WITH NO TOMATOES?! JUST CHEESE?! WHAT?!?!" Don't get me wrong. My Crepe Guy was the best- he gave us fruit from his native Sri Lanka, would open the shop for drunken adventures at 2:00 AM, and he made us laugh till it hurt... But man, lay off! JUST CHEESE!
4. You are going to eat a ridiculous amount of bread.
While this picture is an "after" picture, you can rest assured that was three baguettes and lots of wine later... Again, #notsorry. If you are like me, you probably think bread is seriously a gift from the man above himself. Then again, I'm the one who usually ruins her dinner at the restaurant because she ate too much bread out of the bread basket, so... #notsorry.
5. WATCH YOUR PURSE.
Notice the whole "purse in front of you" routine? I cannot say this enough- gypsies are real and they are awful. Also, they are really good at what they do. Beware of things like children with clipboards wanting you to sign a petition as a distraction for one of them to steal your wallet; or the woman on the train who accidentally bumps into you, because she probably just slipped your phone out of your pocket.
6. Buy a Metro map.
If you are wanting to have money to be able to spend on souvenirs and experiences, don't waste your money on taxis! Just use the Metro. But be warned- it is literally a maze and one wrong stop could ruin your plans! On the other hand, it was the handiest this we decided to do on our trip. No dealing with traffic, and the ability to go anywhere in the city that you want for a measly few dollars was amazing. Make sure you get a map or at least study how to read the one in the stations before you go, you will be glad you did!
7. Learn the language...
... at least a little! Know what the words for "open" and "closed" is, how to ask for the bathroom, how to buy a ticket to somewhere and what basic words like "please" and "thank you" are. Locals will be much less annoyed with you if you at least TRY to speak their native language first- but don't be afraid, most European countries do actually speak English in addition to their language. "Help" and "go away" are also very helpful phrases to know... Loudly.
8. Don't be surprised by the weirdos — they are everywhere, not just in the USA.
Story time! Once upon a time, Jessa was on a train from the city of Paris into Versailles. There was a cool looking dude with a Quiddich shirt on who was standing while she sat in a train car by the window. Long story short — dude waits a few stops, dude sits down, dude whips out his wee-wee, dude starts taking pictures of said wee-wee, and dude corners a terrified and stunned Jessa into the window seat with no way of getting out without stepping over dude and his wee-wee. I'm not lying. That happened.
Don't worry — I made it out safely, and now I get to tell the funniest story ever about being in Paris and seeing some random guys junk. People are weird, bro.
9. Don't overbook yourself.
Leave yourself free days! Don't book up every day with a schedule that accounts for 95 percent of your time. Wander around, get lost, don't just do something because some random person said you should on some travel blog. Get out of the city center and go to a pub. Stop in at the random bookstore. Check out concerts going on last minute. Go to a museum of weird tuff (like the Museum of Eroticism by the Moulin Rouge — which was awesomely hilarious, by the way).
10. BRING FOOD WITH YOU.
Maybe I'm just being the fat kid here- I don't ever leave my house without some stashed food somewhere. Why would that change while I was in a different country? Stock up on good food at markets- bananas, all kinds of breads and fruits and anything else you can imagine. I kept food in my purse.... a lot. You never know when something is going to happen or you are going to get hungry; especially if it is in a touristy part of town, because prices are going to hike up.
11. Have fun!
Don't be upset if you weren't aware that a certain museum was closed on a day you had planned to go. Buy souvenirs! Good ones- like from vintage flea markets. Get your touristy sites out of the way first, and leave some time to get off the beaten path. Smile! Talk to strangers! Embarrass yourself by pronouncing everything wrong, but trying anyways! Eat too much bread and drink too much wine! As cliche as it has become, live by the quote "you only live once." You don't get a second chance, so you might as well have a good time while you are here!
