Day 16- What's missing from the orientation book...

 10 things they don’t tell you before coming to Europe….

1.     When locals say a barbeque starts at six, don’t show up til 7:30…it is otherwise rude

2.     When they tell you that you will move into an apartment on September 1, expect to actually move in around September 15…internet, furniture and multiple sets of keys are not guaranteed

3.     If it rains outside and your windows are closed tightly , and the apartment below you somehow manages to get water in it from a source you do not know…you still will be blamed for it and will receive an angry note underneath the door in broken English/French.

4.     If a teacher casually walks in 20 minutes late to a class, and begins class without apologizing for his lateness…don’t worry that's normal. But if you show up to class 20 minutes late, don’t bother coming.

5.     All of the paper in Europe is slightly bigger than 8.5X11, which is normal in US. It is not that much bigger…just enough to drive you absolutely nuts when you try to put the paper into a folder.

6.     When you try squeeze through the door of the metro station with your friend and her metro pass because you can’t find your metro pass at the moment…Don’t. The doors will shut on you and cause you and your large bag to get stuck in the door, therefore creating a loud beeping noise and drawing everyone’s attention to you.

7.     The Fanta here is not orange…though they claim it is orange. But the coloring really is….light yellow.

8.     If you expect to feel safe when crossing the street at an appropriate time, Don’t. Cars inch towards you no matter if its there turn to go or not.

9.     When your class is told to go to the European Parliament for a class period, you are just supposed to know where to go and how to get there, and what room to go to when you get there. By the way, the Brussels Parliament is different than the European Parliament.

10. If you want to look someone to greet them kindly or indirectly say “Hi my name is Bailey and I am so excited about Europe”…don’t. The eye contact means far more than that. 

Just some funny thoughts me and my roommate Maddie came up with while thinking about our adventures thus far! 

Love you all,

Bailey Jo