Some Personal Do’s and don’ts of Belgium

DO: sell some of your belongings and simplify your life

DON’T: pack just summer clothes when you are moving close to the Arctic

DO: keep an open mind

DON’T: stand on a frozen lake; the ice is much thinner than you think

DO: make international friends

DON’T: leave the house without an umbrella

DO: sample all Belgian beer

DON’T: ever show up to a guest’s house empty-handed

DO: show your appreciation for your friends and family

DON’T: think winter ends in December

DO: take a lot of photos

DON’T: make fun of slippers

DO: take night busses- they are hilarious

DON’T: try to sneak liquids on a plane

DO: zip up your jacket

DON’T: try to talk French in Paris; they will make SO much fun of you

DO: live life in the moment

DON’T: put wool sweaters in the dryer

DO: make friends in hostels

DON’T: be afraid to get lost

DO: check the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius when cooking in the oven

DON’T: Google map how far you are from home

DO: go on pub-crawls

DON’T: take this precious life for granted

DO: Skype

DON’T: forget where you came from

DO: tell your friends how much you appreciate and miss them

DON’T: be afraid to travel by yourself

DO: sort the recycling into glass, plastic, cardboard, and compost

DON’T: forget to Blog

DO: take chances

DON’T: let the weather forecast bring you down

DO: take the first metro home at 7am

DON’T: wear uncomfortable shoes

DO: backpack!

DON’T: stay inside your comfort zone

DO: act like a child –free spirited!

DON’T: let plans weigh you down

DO: work on following through

DON’T: strive to make others happy unless you are happy first – you need to have personal joy to be truly sincere with others

DO: move abroad

DON’T: ever say “I am too old”

DO: keep a smile on your face

DON’T: give up

DO: (the most important of them all) Say I love you when it feels right. I love my family with all my heart and soul; my mom, dad, and sister are my foundation. For all of my friends that helped shape me in high school and college, you are my inspiration and my voice of reason. Thank you for your unconditional support and for your friendship. I love you.