16 Things You Miss About America When You Study Abroad | The Odyssey Online
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Politics and Activism

16 Things You Miss About America When You Study Abroad

Maybe America isn't that bad.

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16 Things You Miss About America When You Study Abroad

If you study abroad, wherever it might be, it's going to be one of the most exciting, fun, and draining (yes, draining) experiences in your life. At some point, culture shock, or just the fact that you're not going to see anyone you really know for four months, is going to hit you, and you're going to think about all the American things you miss. Here're sixteen things (besides the obvious ones) that I miss while studying abroad in London.

1. 24 Hour Anything

Everything closes at 8PM here. It's actually awful when you desperately need a grocery store.

2. Drive Thrus

Don't underestimate the power of a 3 AM Big Mac that you don't even have to get out of your car for.

3. Free Bathrooms in Public Places

Charging for bathrooms is unAmerican.

4. Being Able to Watch Pretty Much Any Video You Click on

WHY ISN'T IT AVAILABLE HERE?

5. Superstores

Don't even get me started on how much I miss those free samples.

6. American Prices

Everything here is so expensive.

7. Good Cable

Do you like Real Houswives of Cheshire and Jeremy Kyle (the British Jerry Springer)? No? Then don't turn on the TV for four months.

8. Going to the Movies

If you're studying in a non-english speaking country, it's downright impossible to go see a movie while you're away.

9. Your Clothes

You can't pack it all.

10. Ice in Drinks

It takes so much to get used to warm drinks.

11. Free Refills on Drinks

Self-explanatory...and awful.

12. Electrical Outlets

And that voltage difference means you need a converter as well as an adaptor.

13. American Holidays

You actually have class on Thanksgiving. It's so strange not to hear people talk about it even.

14. Air Conditioning

In the first few weeks, it was so hot, and there's no AC in old buildings, which means you were probably drowning in sweat.

15. Drinking Fountains

Free water is what makes America great.

16. Standard Time Telling


Can we all agree 24 hour time is useless?


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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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