As an American, Traveling Europe is Not What I Expected

I romanticized Europe for several years. Browsing <a href="https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/Ten-Basic-Differences-Between-the-USA-and-Europe" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">news headlines</a>, I thought Europe was a paradise compared to life in the United States. With better <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/05/25/cooper.vacation.europe/index.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">work-life balance</a>, walkable cities, and rich culture, I was so excited to move there. But, after living in mainland Europe for several months, I’ve realized the American idea of Europe isn’t what I expected. And, there are a lot of misconceptions about the continent. Here are a few examples: <h1>European cities are all the same</h1> When I tell people abroad I’m from the United States, I’m often met with a mixed reaction. For example, I’ve been asked about politics, gun safety, and an in-depth analysis of Joe Biden. They’ll also ask me about cowboy culture, celebrity encounters, or New York City subway rats. During these conversations, I’m often surprised at how people abroad view the U.S.. Even though many of the things they mention are part of life in the U.S., they’re completely separate from my life in Boston, Massachusetts. But, these misconceptions make sense. The U.S. is huge and made up of 50 states. My life in New England is in many ways unrecognizable from Texas or California. Even within the same country, the weather, culture, and norms are completely different from state to state. The same happens in Europe. People make generalizations about the continent because many of the countries are small and closely connected. But, in fact, Europe, is a diverse continent with different cultures, cuisines, and languages. For example, I took a bus from Vienna to Prague. Even though Austria and Czechia border each other, the language, food, and people are completely different. <a href="https://medium.com/globetrotters/as-an-american-traveling-europe-is-not-what-i-expected-19846b332860">Click Here</a>