8 Things No One Tells You About Moving To Europe | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

8 Things No One Tells You About Moving To Europe

Bathrooms are always a mystery.

16
8 Things No One Tells You About Moving To Europe
Lillian Hogle

1. Peanut butter isn't a thing.

Before considering moving abroad, know this: Europeans do not appreciate peanut butter like Americans do (the way peanut butter deserves to be appreciated). It is nearly impossible to find, and if you do find it, it will be in a jar slightly bigger than a golf ball and cost more than your entire grocery list combined. Europe does a lot of things right, but the lack of peanut butter love is a flaw that needs some serious attention.

2. Bathrooms are always a mystery.

Will there be a toilet seat? Will there be toilet paper? Soap? Do you flush with a pedal or a string hanging from the ceiling? Prepare to spend the majority of your time figuring out how to turn on the sink.

3. Nothing is free.

Gone is the luxury of free water in restaurants and public water fountains, free access to bathrooms, and free refills. Ordering water is about as expensive as ordering beer, you will probably pay at least 50 cents to pee, and you will pay for every glass of Coke you ask for.

4. You're going to miss the Melting Pot

There are many things to admire about Europe, but there are also many things you’re going to miss about the States — mainly, convenience and food diversity. Twenty-four hour access to anything your little heart desires is not a thing across the pond. You can’t hop in a car at 2am when you decide you want some Ben and Jerry’s because everything closes at 8pm. You can’t have a margarita with your pizza or sangria with your Chinese. Even more, depending on where you are, food diversity may be pretty rare — you might have to leave Italy if you want something other than Italian.

5. But there will always be a little bit of home everywhere you go.

It’s amazing how many American products are sold around the world. When you’re feeling homesick, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find some Coke and Pringles at your local grocery store. Walking down the street you will hear American music and see American movies advertised in theaters. It isn’t hard to get your American fix when you need it.

6. Instant foods are hard to find.

Cookie dough, brownie mix, and frozen pizza are hard to come by. One-step cooking is a luxury pretty secluded to the States.

7. Food with origins outside of the States is very different from the American version.

For example, Italian food in the States is not Italian food — it’s Italian-American food. Pizza in Italy is very different from pizza in New York. Spaghetti and meatballs isn’t a thing in Italy, nor is pepperoni or chicken parmesan. Italian food is incredible, but it is nothing like it is in the States.

8. They use the 24-hour clock.

Most countries in Europe use the 24-hour clock. Business hours and transportation schedules are almost always written in 24-hour time. Though far more practical, it takes some getting used to making dinner plans for 19:30.

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

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

12975
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2333
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1436
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments