I don’t ever want to make it seem like my point of view during travel is the only one. I believe that everyone has a different perspective of the same event and we actually have the opportunity to learn from each other, if we take the time to ask.
That being said, I wanted to hear from someone I traveled with, who’s the point of view is different than mine. So, I decided to share some of what she said, with all of you.
So without further ado, meet Madison.
I’m sure you’ve seen her before, as she is one of my roommates! But I got the pleasure of having her on my latest rendezvous through Europe and I couldn’t be more thankful.
Madison was actually born in Canada and moved to Minnesota when she was four. And let me tell you, she won’t let you forget her Canadian roots! However, other than Canada, she hasn’t done much travel so Europe was quite the opportunity.
So all of that being said, I was curious about her thoughts on traveling.
What made you want to go to Europe?
“One of the things that everyone says they regret not doing in college, is studying abroad. So I wanted to make sure I took hold of that opportunity while I had it. But I also wanted to broaden my horizons a little bit and really see what it’s like outside of the US.”
When you got to the place, what were your initial thoughts?
“That I’m in Harry Potter Land [in reference to London]. But really, it felt a lot like home, but it just looked different. It wasn’t until we went somewhere that didn’t speak English that it really hit me that we were abroad. [What was that like, not being able to speak English?] It really frustrated me because everyone around me spoke English, but whatever they spoke, I didn’t. Even though I took French, I didn’t feel confident ordering in French. And I didn’t know if it would be rude for me to speak their language incorrectly, so I didn’t. Which partly was because I didn’t want to seem like the dumb American that somehow ended up in their country.”
Did you experience culture shock at all? If so, when/where?
“I don’t think I really experienced it until Germany [third country] because I didn’t know any German, so I was really dependent on other people speaking English. I also relied a lot on the people around me that could speak German. I felt like in order to do things I needed to either find an English speaker who spoke German or I needed to find someone there who spoke English. Which made me feel bad because they were speaking my language, but I was in their country. “
What was something that surprised you about traveling?
“I was surprised at how many people spoke multiple languages proficiently and how normal that was. In America, we pride ourselves on the fact that we are a melting pot of other cultures, but we don’t really teach languages at that level. The other thing that surprised me was the smoke. I really didn’t anticipate that because we don’t have that really at all in America. It was kind of a wake-up call of, oh so things are different here than at home. I also was surprised by how much they [Europe] uses trains, because we really don’t use them in America.”
What things made you the most uncomfortable?
“The uncertainty. I’m someone that likes to be in control and a lot of this trip was out of my control. So I had to rely a lot on other people and on God. And I just knew I had to be put in uncomfortable situations, which was good because I felt like I grew sitting in that uncomfortableness knowing that it would be okay. Which helped because I trusted the hands of those that were protecting me. [Did you take that, I can do anything mentality home with you?] I think so yeah. I kind of have the mindset of, oh I did that, now what else can I do?”
What did you do to make yourself comfortable while traveling?
“What helped me the most was getting to know the people I was traveling with. And also, understanding the culture of a place and figuring out why they are the way they are. Then learning how to see that where you are and taking it into consideration. Helped me not go in blind to a new country.”
What was the hardest thing you dealt with in terms of traveling?
“For me, that would line up with what I said earlier about being uncomfortable because I’m a very anxious person. So for me trying to put that aside and just really enjoy the time I had in each place. I just had to realize that I had to put myself aside a few times and really just focus on where I was and what I was doing.”
If you had to narrow it down to a favorite country, city, or experience, what would it be?
“Innsbruck, Austria 100%. Because the mountains were beautiful, the food was incredible, and the freedom we had while there. I also really liked France because of the food and being able to speak French. As for the experience, I would have to say going on top of the mountain in Austria. Looking at those mountains and how they continued to go into the distance was crazy. And for me, I feel connected to God in nature, so being up there was really a moment for me and God.”
What are a few things you learned?
“I learned the way I travel, which was cool. I got to learn how I want to do things and why. I learned that the US does infact have a culture. Which I just didn’t realize, even as much as thinking about how California and the South are so different. So I think I came back with a greater appreciation for the Midwest and for Minnesota and the culture I didn’t realize that we have here.”
What are things you’d tell someone who has never traveled now that you’re experienced?
“Oh, I got to do this the other day, I was very excited. I think like you [Katelyn] have said, it’s really important to look into political information and what might be going on somewhere before you go. Which I said because we ran into demonstrations in Paris and we had to be aware of what was going on. Or for me, I didn’t know what Brexit was until we got to London and I felt out of the loop, so making sure to educate yourself before you go. Also, looking into what you want to do so you know how to prioritize. And definitely look into transportation!”
What are your thoughts moving forward?
“I want to keep traveling! I feel like I saw Europe, so now I’m curious about what Asia is like and what South America is like. I know I definitely want to see what else is out there. And I kept noticing how beautiful things in these countries were, but something you [Katelyn] said stuck with me. We were talking about London and how we wish we could have stayed for so much longer to see everything and you [Katelyn] said was think about where we have lived our entire lives and how little of that we’ve seen. So one thing I wanted to do when I came home was, make a list of the things I want to see in Minnesota and really explore here. I want to appreciate where I came from as much as other places.”
Final thoughts or comments?
“Well, I think with travel, I didn’t realize that you really have to be adaptable. Like you really just have to be ready to get up at a moment’s notice and go. And you have to be way more open-minded than I thought. I mostly just think about the culture I started noticing here. And they don’t realize what they are doing, but I do [talking about Americans].”
I guess that’s all for now!
Until next time,
Katelyn (and Madison!)
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