Reflections

How can you start to sum up 3 months of traveling in Europe when you've done so much. There's many lessons, experiences, and aspects that have made up this trip, and it's easiest to categorize my reflections.
Traveling:
I woke up in Rindge, New Hampshire for 5 semesters to go to the same buildings and sometimes have the same professors. The biggest change is what I'm doing after class. I'm still in class here but when I get free time, I can wander Europe. Besides the class trips to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, Bavaria, Paris, and Prague, I managed to go to Venice, Rome, Semmering, Budapest, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, Krakow, Auschwitz, Zilina, and many other little places along the way. It's been amazing to see the world. I loved traveling on my own at points because I can do what I want. I've heard from others that they didn't have a good time at places because they were held back by friends and their desire to do other things. When alone, I can do what I want to do and not feel like I was held back.
Learning:
I am a mass communication major and I love that this trip was all about mass communication. I have watched so many European films that I never would have seen in America because we don't really get them. This trip has opened my eyes to the rest of the world and see what is beyond the American borders that doesn't get imported in. I know many people that can't stand subtitled movies because they can't get over the fact that they have to read the translation the whole movie. Honestly, I really haven't watched an English spoken movie in 3 months so when I go back to the states it will feel like something is missing. I feel that once you get into the movie, the subtitles aren't even thought about. You almost forget that it's a foreign film because you get so used to it. I'm glad I've watched so many foreign films.
Social/Relationships:
We are in college; some people don't understand that. I thought high school was bad, but then I came to college and realized it's worse... well when you live with the same 11 students... it found a way to be even worse. This is almost like the Real World over here and I honestly laugh so much when I'm alone because I realize how serious people take things. People talk a lot behind people's back and it gets around to everyone, including the person it was targeting. Like everyone, I have fallen victim to this, but I don't let it get to me now. It really never did because I realize who the gossip people were and how depressing their lives are. They always complain about the way they are and are so hard on themselves, I honestly can't find it in my heart to insult them back, because they do it enough to themselves. I have developed relationships and built onto old ones. I am so glad I came here with some of the people because I made connections with good people. In these relationships I learned that they feel the same way about the people that are trying to bring everybody down. I'm not alone in feeling this way and that's helped me out in laughing about it and letting them get away with it sometimes because I realize that's the only thing that makes them happy. It's the end of the semester, I have put up with a lot but I'm starting to lose my sence of restraint... not from holding back revenge, but informing them of what they haven't noticed. They throw around words that should honestly be placed on themselves, but I guess it's a defence mechanism to keeping them from breaking down. I feel bad for them sometimes. Other than that, I've developed some good friendships with many students here and feel that the 3 months together has helped.
Problems/Complications:
I don't know how somethings happen sometimes, but I've noticed someone is always looking after me. I seem to get into situations that could end badly, but something always makes them swing in my favor. There are so many examples that I feel it's honestly its own category. I'm in Slovakia in a Eurail Pass deadzone, meaning my ticket is invalid. I was confronted by train authorities and they told me I had to pay a fine for fraud ($160), then the actual ticket ($100). After explaining my situation to them for 10-15 minutes, he just smiled and said, "Sit anywhere you want. Don't worry about it." It could have been bad, but it worked out for me. That's not the first train situation, another was on the way to Budapest, Hungary and I altered my ticket. I took a date (11th) and it wasn't validated and turned it into a 18. They held my ticket up to the window to check for pen marks and fluidity of the ink and they kept saying there was a problem with my ticket. I played it cool and they just handed me my ticket and said, "Here you go." I know others in the group did the same thing but they got screwed over. I feel the same thing should have happened to me; I was lucky. Another time is just recently... I overdrew my bank account and they charged me $117 in overdraft fees. After calling up the bank and explaining my situation, they told me many times that they can't do anything about it because it wasn't a bank error. I got a little personal with the representative and the supervisor and then the manager... I explained I took complete responsibility for my mistake, but I was asking them a favor and eventually they rebated me the overdraft fees. So many stories like this have happened here, and I know I'm alone a lot of the times, but sometimes I feel someone or something is always looking over me. I guess Karma is working for me.
Missing Home:
This is the longest I've ever been away from home. Yes, I'm in college I'm 1 1/2 hours from home... but I can always go back home on the weekends or when I want. This is 3 months without my mom, dad, sister, other relatives, and my girlfriend. I'm so grateful that my girlfriend stayed by me even though I left for Europe. She never liked the idea and is mad about it, but she has always been supportive. I respect that so much and it honestly has built our relationship more because we met new people and never once wanted someone else. We know how strong our relationship is and how in love we are, and we waited for each other and that showed me a lot about how strong our love is. We webcam everyday, talk on the phone when I'm on excursions, but nothing is the same as being able to touch or see her right in front of me. Less than 1 week left and I can't wait to actually be able to hold her in my arms again.

Final exams are coming up and the end of the semester abroad. It has been an amazing time and I recommend this trip to anyone. It is the best time of your life because you experience the way people live in a land far from yours. I am so glad I came. I learned so much.