From the moment the flight attendant announces to put trey tables in their upright positions to the first time you step out of the airport, It's overwhelming, terrifying even, but most of all, it's beautiful. You'll change, but for the better.
1. You learn to be okay on your own.
Because sometimes, you don't really have a choice. You might get separated from your group and end up staying the night in a completely different country than you planned. You may get off at the wrong bus stop and have to find your way around a foreign city, but that's okay, really.
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Eventually, you'll find the way to your hostel and realize that despite the fact it was stressful and scary, you can do it.
2. You become aware of your ethnocentrism.
There's no way around ethnocentrism because regardless of where you are you're going to think things are "weird" or "strange." However, you become aware of it. You begin to realize that one country isn't better than the other, they are simply unique.
3. You learn that there is more than one way to live.
Not everybody lives like you do, and that's okay. There won't always be heat, air conditioning and your shower might be a bucket of water, but that's the point.
When you don't like the food or the sleeping arrangements, you remember why you're there; to experience something new because in order to really experience a different country, you learn to emerge yourself in all aspects of the culture.
4. You learn to be aware of your surroundings.
You're not in Kansas anymore, so you learn to be caution. You start noticing stares and the guy on the bus eyeing your backpack, so you'll travel lighter and realize that keeping lots of cash on you and flaunting your iPhone 7 around just isn't a wise decision.
5. You'll want to do it all over again.
It's like getting your first tattoo; you're nervous and totally freaked that it might not turn out as planned, but despite the pain, you go back for another one.
