1. The traffic is terrible.

I thought Kansas City traffic during rush hour was bad. But it is nothing compared to Rio traffic nearly any time of the day. A 30-minute drive can easily turn into a couple of hours, with cars moving so slow there are people standing in the middle of the lanes selling food.

2. Be open to trying new things.

Chicken heart isn’t exactly something I would jump for joy about eating, but I sure put that dark brown lump in my mouth. Hiking is far from my cup of tea, but the view from the top is well worth it. Jumping from the roof of a boat? Sure, why not?

3. Stay with a Carioca.

A Carioca is a Rio native, aka the best tour guide and translator. They know all the best bars, beaches, shopping, where to eat, and where to avoid tourists. They also know how to navigate the city - a very difficult task in a place with so much hustle and bustle.

4. The beaches are absolutely beautiful.

Right in Rio, and in the surrounding cities. My host family took me to Búzios, a 2 hour drive north east of the city. Most. Beautiful. Beaches. Ever.

5. Any and every gringo is a friend.

After weeks of speaking broken English that the locals can understand, it is a blessing to find someone that you can have a conversation with. While the locals may find it odd and slightly dangerous, there is immense joy in conversing with a group of Americans whenever they could be found (typically at the main tourist sights).

6. Friends are absolutely amazing.

We spent weeks together. It’s easy to forget that they don’t have to be there for you when you’re getting homesick or when you just need to talk. They’ll stick by your side no matter what.

7. “Not all who wander are lost.”

Cliche as it is: I found my sense of wonder when I boarded the plane that would take me away from my friends, family, and home. I wasn't nervous or scared, I was excited. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it was the sense of mystery as to what would come that made ready to leave everything I knew and plunge into the unknown.