Dear Adriana-from-September-before-leaving-for-the-experience-of-a-lifetime,
It is December 14th, 2022, exactly one week before I am flying back to the States for the holidays. I am currently sitting in a new coffee shop I discovered this past weekend with my friend from Barcelona. They have amazing tiramisu here, and their hot chocolate is to die for. Today, I am just drinking a double-shot macchiato, though I was tempted to get a cappuccino. Can you believe it that I actually enjoy hot coffee?? I do not even add sugar to my coffee anymore; it’s crazy to think that just a few months ago, before coming here, I would refuse to drink coffee unless it is an iced coffee that honestly does not even have the faintest trace of true coffee taste from all the added sweeteners and flavored syrups. Now, I drink cappuccinos and macchiatos and espressos (all hot!) and enjoy them plain. That is what I call character development.
Beyond my newfound appreciation for real and rich coffee, I also have a few other updates for you. I read heavy, dense psychology articles and textbooks in French without a problem. I feel like I know my way around Brussels better than I know my way around Pittsburgh. I found my style and I got a haircut that will, from now on, be my go-to haircut. I solo-traveled to Budapest, Hungary and had the time of my life. I have another solo-trip booked for Edinburgh, Scotland. I can do adulty-things like fix my phone plan or file a complaint about a missing package with the post office in a foreign language without difficulty.
You might be shocked to read these things. You could even say I am a stranger to you. I’m assuming you are currently having an absolute breakdown about what to pack and how to find housing by yourself. Let me save you some trouble and tell you: do NOT pack more than one or two athleisure outfits. Oh, and bring as many neutral and basic layer-able clothes you can. If you can, bring some blazers and trousers; I wish I brought some to keep up with the sophisticated fashion on-campus. As for housing goes, you should have taken the options you found over the summer. I know, I know, you were picky and wanted to find the perfect housing. Just remember that everyone and their mom decided to study in Brussels this year for some reason, so “picky” is not really the best course of action.
As for academics, don’t stress about the language barrier. Make sure to go to class the first few weeks wide awake with plenty of rest and ready to do some serious mental gymnastics while translating lectures and simultaneously trying to take notes. It gets better and easier, I promise. I no longer have to do the whole “translating” step; I just understand automatically in French and I take my notes in French now.
Don’t bother going to the library on campus to get studying done; it really can’t compare to Hillman. You will realize how spoiled you were at Pitt; libraries with plenty of outlets that are open outside of the 10AM to 5PM window are impossible to find here in Brussels. Your obscure study habits of waking up at 5AM to do work or staying up until 2AM in the library will no longer fly. Save yourself the troubles of even going to the library in the first place and just find your go-to coffee shop.
Start solo-traveling earlier. I went to Lille, France in September by myself for a day-trip and was absolutely thrilled, but I didn’t dare make another solo-trip until I impulsively bought a $25 ticket (yes, you read that right, $25) to Budapest in December. All the wasted weekends that my friends and I couldn’t coordinate a proper trip could instead be filled with cheap solo-trips that are, in some ways, more fulfilling than a trip with friends. Make sure you do your research about which neighborhoods are safe to stay in as a solo female traveler, and just don’t be stupid. You will realize how much you enjoy your own personal company. You will have so much time to self-reflect and it is truly freeing to not have to accommodate to others’ wants and needs. I know some of my friends would have a serious issue walking 46,000 steps in Budapest in one day, but to me, I was more than happy to do it. And, you will realize how entertaining people-watching is. Seriously, no one is judging you for sitting alone at a restaurant. If anything, I like to think it makes you cooler.
Take advantage of the student discounts. European countries really care about their students; if you’re a student, you can get free or reduced admission to museums across the entire continent and train tickets are HALF-OFF. Even restaurants have “student prices” that save you some serious money.
I developed a new life motto. I like to tell myself to “do it for the plot.” Say yes to spontaneous trips, random dates, restaurant excursions, art expos, free concerts, etc. If you have fun and meet new friends, great! Now you have priceless memories. If it goes horribly, you can go home and laugh about it. AND, you now have a funny story to tell your friends back home.
Overall, you’ll be more than okay. In fact, you probably won’t want to leave.
À bientôt,
A-stranger-named-Adriana-from-December-14th-2022-at-Ana-Attento-Coffee-Shop-drinking-a-double-shot-macchiato
