One thing I’ve gained while living in Austria is a better of sense of what it means to ‘be an American’ from an international perspective.  

Before leaving home, I thought that I was well-aware of how other countries viewed America and Americans. Fat, lazy, uneducated and self-focused. I really believed that it was all negative. 

While these perceptions are ALL true, and agreed upon by the majority of Europeans, I had no idea how influential America (as a nation) is on International Business education. In every single one of my classes, American brands are referenced on an every-day basis.  

For example, the textbook we use for my Data Communication and Computer Networks class is from the University of Massachusetts, my Global Branding class constantly highlights American branding as exceptional, and my Consumer Psychology class references studies almost exclusively by American researchers.  

Beyond academics, all the local and international students I meet here seem to know everything about the US and American culture. When someone asks where I’m from and I respond, “the US”, people follow up by asking which state- AND actually know all the US states (or at least the major cities).  

I am from Rhode Island- the smallest state in the US. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve mentioned to other Pitt students that I’m from RI and they say, “Oh New York”, thinking I’m from Long Island. I was stunned when I realized that the majority of Viennese students and professors know exactly where Rhode Island is.  

I’m leaving this experience feeling not only inspired, but a duty to learn more about other cultures- in an attempt to know just a fraction of what international students know about the US.  

On a more personal note, as I reflect on what I’ve learned throughout this experience, the advice I would give to my pre-departure self is to trust myself and my family. 

Despite the fact that the life I’m living here is ‘less stressful’ by most measures, (taking fewer classes, taking classes pass/fail, not working as much as I do at home), I found that my stress levels didn’t decrease in the way that I thought they would. 

This isn’t to say that I haven’t had a wonderful time here- I really have. I’ve met SO MANY amazing people that I will remember (and hopefully stay in contact with) for the rest of my life. 

However, nothing can prepare you for being far away from home when family tragedies happen.  

Wrapping my head around these events while trying to check-in and ensure the well-being of other family members has been incredibly difficult (especially considering the limitations of the 6-hour time difference). At times, I felt guilty for being far away and removed from everything going on back home. 

What I wish I could tell my pre-departure self is to trust my family. Everything happens for a reason- life happens sometimes. I am leaving this semester feeling reassured that my family can handle these difficulties and take care of each other, even when I’m not able to be there to help.  

Another lesson that I’ve learned is to trust myself. At 21 years old, learning how to live in another country, making great friends from other cultures, living with people from different backgrounds, travelling, learning a new language, all while navigating my own life and the family chaos that’s been unravelling in the background, I have discovered a new level of confidence in my ability to ‘adult’ and handle hard things.  

I truly believe that learning these lessons at this point in my life is invaluable and I’m so grateful that my ‘pre-departure self’ put myself in the position to gain this confidence.