I haven't lived in Spain but I spent 2 years in southern Europe. I thought I was prepared for the slower pace of things but I really wasn't. The DMV has a bad reputation, but you will be thinking fondly of it if you have to interact with any bureaucratic institution. Also be prepared to be hot as hell in the summer. Most countries aren't big on AC. And learn Spanish (or Catalan depending on where you move) if you don't already know it. I didn't speak the language and got by, but life will be MUCH easier if you do (even a little).
Don't let this scare you off, moving to Europe was the best decision of my life. Make sure you travel around a lot. I personally think all Americans should be forced to spend 1 year abroad, so if you've got the option take advantage of it. Some of Spain is anti-tourist now (ex Barcelona) but I've been to a couple of places and really enjoyed the food and architecture.
Jan 25, 2025
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i went to europe over the summer on this ambassador tour type thing sponsored by my school - best freaking experience ever. i live in an area in the us with zero public transportation and shitty overall walkability so going to big cities in Europe was a huge game changer.
i visited England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. absolutely stacked lineup alone, but the tour had us drop down in big cities and small towns where we basically never took transportation unless we were going from country to country. we walked honestly probably 5+ miles every single day, ate bomb ass meals 3 times a day alongside little snacks and sweet treats we'd pick up. i lost like 5 pounds !! in two weeks !! and i was eating like a king the whole trip, it's crazy how getting ur steps in makes such a huge difference. and everything was always right around the corner, the drugstores and gas stations were STACKED, and don't even get me started on the trinket shops and restaurants. the big cities were so awesome, London and Paris were obviously worth the hype and fantastic to navigate around by foot, but i have so much love for the small towns we dropped down in elsewhere. we were up in the alps in Switzerland and Austria and all the people were fantastic. so homey, accommodating, and they had so many cool spas !! germany was even better, tiny town with insane charm and culture, i bought the most beautiful handmade Christmas ornament there made by the kindest german lady. don't even get me started on the food. but I'm just saying, walkable cities help u take it all in. i felt so present everywhere i went, i had so much to look at and there was always something to do at every corner. i feel like visiting unwalkable cities almost limits urself to a strict itinerary since u have to plan based on each individual place or activity u decide to go to. get off that damn bus and walk around ! it's so nice and u basically get all ur exercise in for the whole day and probably more. however summer in Germany was kind of diabolical when we were there it felt like i was entering a sauna every time i stepped foot outside. besides that the weather in other places is usually pretty fair and nice ! take advantage and go go go, even if ur not vacationing - lots of places can be walkable if u try hard enough (unless u live in like the midwest or in a farm town). i miss the falafel i had in Germany :(
Mar 25, 2025
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Traveling as a disabled person is really quite daunting for a lot of reasons, mostly because of accessibility versus inaccessibility in countries outside of the US (most of the US itself outside of NYC is painfully inaccessible). Last year during fashion month in September was my first time traveling to Europe โ I went to Milan with my dad and my agent and I had like, the absolute best time ever. Much to my surprise. I love Europe! I know every country has its nuances and its things going on thatโs really important to actually understanding that country, but just to have a pleasant experience in terms of being a physically disabled trans woman who is Black in a new country like that, was really relieving and exhilarating. I even made a dear friend who is a fellow trans woman while being in Milan for that time. The Duomo was extremely lively, and I found out that I really like aperol spritzes and gelato. Their pasta is also simply elite. I hope this isnโt controversial to say in any way but I love England just as much as well! I have been able to be there the past two months for some very special experiences - included being able to speak and debate at the Oxford Union, at Oxford University! Everyone has been incredibly sweet and I love my modeling agency and my agents out there. I really love chips. Completely obsessed with chipsโฆ and I really enjoyed going to the Tate for the first time with my best friend and his boyfriend!
Apr 10, 2023
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Cheapest is the East! So like Prague, Budapest, Krakow are all fun big cities that arent too expensive. Italy is super cool imo, and you'll get around everywhere with English and some basis knowledge of a Roman language.
I loooovved Berlin, though I would only go for a few days. Anyway, see if you can get an interrail ticket and travel around a bit.
Sep 17, 2024
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When it's finally warm enough to open those windows and let the spring air in, allergies be damned
Apr 6, 2025
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Something about getting into those fresh sheets that smell like laundry detergent just feels better
Aug 25, 2024
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If the voice in your head is being too mean ask it if it would talk to someone you love this way. My internal monologue can be a ๐ฉ and this sometimes can help it be more constructive
Nov 13, 2024