100+ Life Lessons Across 12 Countries
This past Easter Sunday, my buddies and I flew back to Miami after three unforgettable months abroad. We’d just wrapped up our DIY study abroad, taking advantage of FAU’s online course offerings to travel freely (during my final semester of college). I’ve always preferred in-person classes, but this flexibility turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve (we’ve) ever made. Our journey took us through 11 countries (12 including the USA), and along the way, I kept a running “Europe Journal” in my notes app, capturing everything from hilarious memories to life lessons — and everything in between. Below are some 1-week-out fun life lessons extracted from my journal:
Share your chocolate bar—you might just meet a beautiful Belgian girl. I did, and she even shared her spicy chicken bologna with me. (Miami to Lisbon)
Beat jet lag by syncing with their schedule the moment you land—no naps allowed! (Madrid)
Grocery shopping is my favorite past time while traveling! Remember names! Joel at the Madrid meat shop appreciated it—and often sent us home with a few extra apples because of it. (Madrid)
Get creative cooking—make use of what you’ve got or what they’ve got—foreign grocery stores can be an adventure in limited selection. (Madrid)
The 80/20 Rule: People know I rarely eat sweets in the USA, but in Europe… well, that turned out to be a whole different story.
There’s a universal language, and it’s called love.
We have more in common than not, so treat everyone like family. In Madrid, friends of friends welcomed us into their home for a homemade Spanish meal—no shared language or beliefs, just love, food, and strangers becoming family. (Madrid)
There is a best cappucino in town. And it is likely the most inexpensive!
Read signs and ask—I'm talking to all the 'figure-it-out-myself' guys. It’ll save you and whoever you’re traveling with time, money, and missed experiences!
Google Maps > Apple Maps. I resisted for two months, but once I switched, we rarely got lost.
Yep, there’s nowhere to pee in Europe—except McDonald's.
Learn to say 'thanks' and 'bye' in the local language—it'll make the locals smile (except maybe the northern Frenchies).
Not sure what to do, see, or eat? Ask ChatGPT or check out this site (translate it to English unless you’re fluent in Spanish): https://www.viajeroscallejeros.com/. Don’t forget critical thinking!
Say hi to the girl who breaks your heart with how drop-dead gorgeous she is by asking her for directions or recommendations. It’s a cop-out, I know, but hey, baby steps. (Barcelona)
Don't knock it 'til you try it. Learn to appreciate what your friends value, even if you’re tempted to judge it. (The Vatican)
Turn the flash off. “Tried to take a photo of Toledo’s castles lit up at night from the bus and accidentally flash-banged the lady sitting next to me." (Toledo)
No phones at the dinner table! Be present and appreciate the company you're with. It's a simple way to show respect and enjoy the moment.
Water’s not free in Europe! Pay or bring your own bottle. Or, ask the bartender (in their language) to refill it—9/10 times they’ll say yes, until they remind you 'This isn’t the Trevi Fountain.” (Rome)
A naked body’s just a body—hostels are raw. Towels optional. (Barcelona)
‘Mi familia’ and point can get you out of or into most situations and places. (Barcelona)
Attend a soccer match abroad—you thought NFL stadiums were loud? Hah! (Barcelona, Madrid, Palermo)
Consider the bus—it’s often cheaper and way more scenic, especially winding through the hills of Portugal or cutting across the Alps. (Lisbon, Geneva —>Torino)
Set a backup alarm with max volume—it’s like Vietnam, but it’ll get you (and others) up. (Barcelona)
You get what you get and don’t get upset. 5-star reviews don’t always match reality—especially with hostels. (Morocco)
"Sometimes you gotta squat. Sometimes you gotta not look in the mirror.” (Morocco)
Bathrooms aren’t free—and if they are, the toilet paper isn’t. By the time you find out, it’s too late. Bring cash or coins. (Morocco)
"Don’t ask for recommendations in Morocco—they’ll just send you to their cousin’s brother’s sister’s husband’s place." (Morocco)
A 6.5-hour train ride beats a 6.5-hour flight, even if the train's AC breaks. (Morocco)
The dap (handshake) is universal.
Never call a camel Muhammad. “No! That is the prophet!” (Morocco)
Think twice before buying Moroccan leather—it’s softened with pigeon poop. (Morocco)
Street food camel burgers are not worth it. Apparently, I forgot Wednesday. (Morocco)
IVs, extra liquids, and electrolytes save the day. Get over your fear of needles, go to urgent care, and get better—medical experiences are better in Spain anyways! (Madrid)
Don’t say ‘I’ll wait till tomorrow to buy.’ I’m telling you prices will go up. Plan and book travel in advance to avoid price hikes and unnecessary arguments. (Madrid)
Book accommodations outside city centers for authentic, less touristy food and vibes. The best food is on the outskirts. (Rome)
Follow the music—it might just lead you into a church where a university band is practicing, offering a free concert. (Rome)
Avoid 6am flights due to taxi fees and beware train schedules; book later flights. (Rome)
Travel for meaningful experiences, not just to check off destinations. (Rome)
Grieving takes time; in Krakow, you can still feel it. (Krakow, Poland)
Long tour day ahead? Say yes to the included lunch—or pack your own! (Krakow)
Get the chance to lick the walls of a salt mine? Do it. It tastes like salt. (Krakow)
Appreciate memories as souvenirs, not stuff. Or pick up something meaningful, like beach glass or a piece of brick from Auschwitz. (Auschwitz, Auschwitz II-Birkenau)
Do not forget the past. (Auschwitz, Auschwitz II-Birkenau)
I know Americans aren’t big on PDA, but I might just give romancing in public a try. (Prague)
Go somewhere you wouldn’t initially choose—or think about going first. (Prague)
See the big city for a day or two, then get out and do a day trip—it’s the best. (Prague)
Don’t get caught. Just pay your train ticket. It’s cheaper to pay them all than to get caught once. (Prague)
Hungry? Don’t settle for the first place you see. It’s worth walking 30 minutes for authentic cuisine. (Geneva)
Learn about what you’re going to see before you go—especially if you don’t have a tour guide.
Want to feel alive and bonded with others? Jump into the 44-degree lake with the locals. (Geneva)
Ask the locals where they go on their day off. (Annecy, France)
Stop and smell the roses! It’s okay to relax, breathe, and enjoy. (Annecy, France)
Avoid restaurants that showcase photos of their food—they’re tourist traps. (Nice)
An average fair price for an Airbnb or hostel per night is around 20-30 euros. If the cost is comparable, book an Airbnb instead of a hostel.
Search yacht names on Google—it might just be the cofounder’s (of Google) yacht or even Putin’s! (Nice, Monaco)
Names get you a long way—knowing the right ones opens doors! (Monaco)
Don’t underestimate a dive bar; it might just be the celebrity hideaway. (Monaco)
Say hi—you might just get introduced to the princess of Monaco's brother. (Monaco)
Don’t skimp on unique experiences to save a little—those moments might give you the best steak ever. (Barcelona, Monaco)
Want to see something or eat some place specific? Make a reservation. (Torino)
Less is more—pack light, prioritize underwear, and remember laundry is easy.
Check in later for better seats on flights—it’s counterintuitive, but it works!
As helpful as apps like OMIO are for booking, don’t rely solely on them. Verify train and bus times directly on the official sites (e.g. Trenitalia)—you might even find better deals, since OMIO adds a markup.
Surround yourself with people—turns out you can smoke, eat pasta & pizza daily, have wine before bed, and still live to 100, walking the bustling city on your own. (Rome)
Pick places with short menus, fewer online reviews (less touristy), and always go for the house wine— it’s typically inexpensive, local, and usually the best tasting on the menu. (Trastevere Food Tour)
Italians don’t queue. If there’s a long line, it’s likely tourists following reviews, not locals. (Trastevere Food Tour)
Avoid fluffy, neon, or piled-high gelato—real gelato is stored in lidded aluminum containers. Look for natural colors; pistachio should be brownish, not bright green. That’s the real deal. (Trastevere Food Tour)
Moms are everywhere, ready to help. Even if they don’t speak your language, they can sense when you need assistance and will offer it if you ask. (Train from Florence to Parma)
Breakfast is almost nonexistent in Europe—cook or settle for coffee and brioche.
Your phone plan might say you'll have service abroad, but don’t trust that. At least it wasn't true for me.
Prioritize experiences that matter to you, not what others say you should do.
Learn about what you’re going to see before you go—especially if you don’t have a tour guide. (Florence)
If you're an outdoors person or not a fan of big cities, skip the city and head to the coast or countryside. (Florence)
Cooking class? Who knew I'd love it! (Florence)
Bring a refillable metal water bottle—it’ll save you money and keep you hydrated! (Florence)
Take a page out of their book—slow down and embrace the European pace of life. Grab a cappuccino, sleep in a little, enjoy. (Florence)
Direct communication is key, not indirect. (Parma)
Avoid over-planning. Leave spare days for flexibility to fully enjoy without rushing. The last thing you want is more travel time than actual experiences. (Parma)
Don’t make something crazy happen; it will.
Spontaneity is fun, but it’s even better when balanced with a detailed itinerary that keeps things organized to minimize group arguments. (Bologna)
If you know someone who's been there before, ask them what to do—unless it’s a Heinrich! (Morocco, Bologna)
If you're going to do something, don’t get caught: I went downstairs in my underwear to throw out the trash, dropped it, and the chefs came out yelling “No plastica!”—they let me go when they flicked the lights on and saw me standing there buck wild. (Parma)
Parmesan cheese is not Parmigiano Reggiano—don’t buy the shredded stuff. Get a wedge with the official "Parmigiano Reggiano" label and black circle logo. (Parma)
Emphasizing again: Avoid booking early flights if you need to travel to the airport—otherwise you’ll end up paying for an Airbnb the night before and a stupid expensive taxi in the morning. Later flights are the better deal. (Rome)
Loophole for liquids: Claim they’re “medical” to bypass liquid restrictions. (TSA man from Ciampino Airport)
Get up early! Book transportation the night before, even if you're exhausted, because ferries leave early and you'll miss them if you don't. (Croatia)
Want to feel free? Get nude on the nude beach! (Kašjuni Beach)
Carry cash for unexpected cash-only situations, like a beach cafe in Croatia. Also, bring euros to tip, as tipping is separate in Europe.
Stay to watch the sunset, even if it means missing the bus and walking back. (Croatia)
Conquer your fears, climb the mountain, and shout a big "fuck yeah!" at the top. (Omis)
Go to dinner alone, put your phone down, and enjoy the night by being present with yourself and your surroundings. (Split, Palermo)
It doesn’t hurt to ask—someone might just make room for you on the ferry. (Krka National Park)
Learn when to speak and when to just breathe—ask yourself: do I want to win, or do I want to build something worth keeping?
Learn that people are strange and wonderful—it's better to accept them as they are than try to mold them into who you want them to be.
If you want someone to change, start by changing your own behavior.
Embrace the European/Australian practice of taking time off after big achievements to travel, live, and experience, a perspective often overlooked in America where the focus is on working nonstop after school. Travel changes you, and the lessons learned are worth far more than any paycheck you could have earned during that time.
Learn local greetings (like Italian cheek-kissing) and use them! If you see me, I’m kissing you now. (Palermo)
Stay out late once or twice—you might just end up singing karaoke in the street with locals. (Palermo)
You don’t need to know much of the language to get by. (Palermo)
Get your hands out of your pockets and speak with your body—use expressive hand gestures and lively energy to communicate. (Palermo)
Be a yes man—don’t say no to unique opportunities; they could lead to unforgettable seafood dinners. (Palermo)
Call things beautiful—it changes how you see. Che bello! (Palermo)
What you manifest will come true—it might not happen when you expect, but it will. I was eleven when I dreamed of studying abroad, and it happened my last semester of senior year.
Prioritize sleep by getting a bed before a long day of travel or exploration—it’s worth it. (Cinisi)
Beware of withdrawing love—evil spirits may try to convince you to isolate, but instead, lean in and love more.
Differing perspectives? Lean in with curiosity and make a conscious decision to understand the other person first before seeking to be understood.
Let go of the outcome and focus on the journey.
Forgive quickly and move on—don’t dwell on others’ mistakes once they’ve acknowledged them.
Work hard, play hard—finish your tasks, then go explore and live!
Age is just a number—go on a date with someone wayyy older than you and make their day (and your day)! And always provide the gift of grace. (Mondello)
Don’t sweat the small stuff. "Guys. It’s really not that big of a deal." (Palermo)
Ask for a better price—they might lower it by 100 euros. (Margy's suit shop, Palermo)
Think twice before picking up a sea cucumber—it might squirt on you as your sunglasses fall in the sea. (Cefalù)
Say "I love you" to your friends—frequently and often. Some may avoid it, fearing it sounds like a final goodbye, but saying it anyway shows bravery. You’ll only be glad you said it than you didn’t. (Palermo)
Talk politics to seek understanding, not enmity. (Palermo)
Double-check your flight booking to ensure it's from point A to point B, not the other way around. (Palermo)
The definition of a man (or woman) is someone who has the willingness to say yes to God.
It’s okay to say life is good when it is. (USA)
This life has seasons—let a trip break your routine. (USA)
It happens slowly, then all at once—soak it in while you have it.
The Ethan C. Lewin Podcast
I'm launching a podcast in mid-May 2025, where my guests and I will discuss "forbidden" topics like sex, death, God, money, and power.
More details coming soon — stay tuned!
With gratitude,
Wishing you hope, love, and peace.
Grateful for your presence.
Cheers,
Ethan Chase Lewin
