What's the thing you'd regret NOT doing in Europe before you're too old to enjoy it?

@Lily Stewart has joined our community. I met her at a retreat in Spain and she has just come over from Colorado. She must have some great insights into the Digital Nomad Visa and finding the right place to live in a new, foreign country. Welcome Lily! 😃

What's actually stopping you from booking the trip? Not the fake reason. The real one.

Genuinely curious! what's the one place in Europe that lives in your head rent-free? Like you've pictured yourself there.

After spending a year living in Europe, coming back to the United States has felt a little like visiting a place that's familiar... but somehow different at the same time. Here are my Top 5 culture shocks after returning home: 1. Everything is HUGE The roads are wider, the parking lots are bigger, the trucks are bigger, and somehow even the grocery carts seem oversized. After getting used to walking through medieval streets in Europe, America suddenly feels supersized. 2. The Portion Sizes I forgot that ordering a "regular" meal in America often means receiving enough food to feed a small village. Europe taught me that it's possible to eat less and somehow feel just as satisfied. 3. Everyone Drives Everywhere In Europe, walking to the bakery, pharmacy, café, and grocery store becomes part of daily life. Back in the U.S., I found myself getting in the car for things that were only a few minutes away. 4. The Pace Feels Faster People seem more rushed. More schedules. More deadlines. More "go, go, go." One thing I appreciated about Europe was how much value was placed on simply enjoying the moment. 5. Seeing Family Again Hits Different The biggest surprise wasn't cultural at all. It was realizing how much can change in a year. Parents get older. Friends move on with their lives. Kids grow up. The time with family suddenly feels more valuable than it did before I left. Living abroad changes your perspective. Sometimes the biggest culture shock isn't Europe—it's seeing your own country through new eyes when you come back. What was the biggest thing that surprised YOU when you returned to the United States after living or traveling abroad? Share your story below 👇