23 Signs You Studied Abroad in Europe [Video]

If you studied abroad in college, chances are you likely studied in Europe, the most popular continent for Americans to go abroad.

Studying abroad is such an eye opening experience that I believe every college student should at least consider doing during their four years of university. Whether it's a program through your school, a third party provider, or through an international program at a foreign school, you are bound to have the time of your life.

I can definitely relate to all of these on this BuzzFeed video after studying in Italy in college and returning there after graduating. Watch this video to get nostalgic feels if you've already been abroad - or to get stoked for your program if you're about to head to Europe.

Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor

Rolling hills, cypress trees, and faded yellow homes with red roofs come to mind when you think of Italy - Tuscany, in particular. Tuscany is home to magnificent cities like Florence, Siena, and Bologna, though there is more to Italy than this particular area. Head out to Perugia in Umbria, Tuscany's regional neighbor, for a similar aesthetic to get away from Tuscany's crowds.

Need convincing? Here are 8 photos to do just that.

Perugia Views Italy Umbria

Perugia

Perugia, Italy

Flower Window Boxes Perugia

Perugia Italy Views of Hills

Streets of Perugia

Perguia Italia

Perugia, Umbria, Italy

Finding Color in Istanbul, Turkey - 15 Stunning Photos

Grand Bazaar Istanbul

Oftentimes the most exciting part about experiencing a new city is what you visually see - the food, the architecture, how people live. Istanbul was one of the most vividly cultural places I've been to in terms of the experience but also with what I saw through my eyes.

While finding an excellent view of Istanbul is a great way to enjoy a its beauty, there's also beauty in the details.

After browsing these photos I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you booked the next flight to Turkey.

Fruit for Sale in Istanbul

Topkapi Palace Tiles

Istanbul

Spice Market Istanbul Turkey

Street Art Istanbul Turkey

Hagia Sophia at Sunset Istanbul

Inside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Turkish Breakfast

Turkish Bloomers

Colorful Homes Galata Tower View

Flower Istanbul

Colorful Street Istanbul

Tiles Topkapi Palace Istanbul

Pomegranate Juice Istanbul Turkey

Where To Find The Best View of Istanbul

Galata Tower

When I was living in Italy and working as a tour guide, our trips were around Italy or Western/Central Europe. I loved visiting new countries every weekend and each city we went to holds a special place in my heart.

While I was in that region of the world, however, I wanted to experience something a little different. During a weekend off our regular trips, my friend Mollie and I went to Istanbul for a few days.

The architecture in Istanbul is beyond beautiful, and was a refreshing change of pace after Western Europe's cathedrals and castles (though those are beautiful, too).

The best view of Istanbul? From the Galata Tower.

Definitely head up there when you are in Istanbul!

Galata Tower from Topkapi Palace

Galata Tower

Galata Tower View

Colorful Homes Galata Tower View

Galata Tower Views

Aerial View Galata Tower

Istanbul Turkey Galata Tower View

Periscope: See The World Through Your Phone

Today I've had the pleasure of walking along the streets in Paris, watching an Italian chef prepare pizzas in Milan, and listen to live music in Austin, Texas. I got to join a guy and his friend walking their dogs around DC and listen to Brad Paisley's bandmates rehearse music. All without leaving my home.

I can't believe it took me a few months to learn about Periscope, a live video app owned by Twitter. Periscope, a new app on the scene since March 2015, wanted to build the "closest thing to teleportation."

This app is seriously so cool.

What makes this more of a conversational app is the ability to comment. Viewers can type in questions or comments and they pop up on the bottom of the screen. When I was watching a video in France, I wrote, "Hello from Phoenix!" And the broadcaster responded, "Hello, Phoenix!" So fun.

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When I first heard about this app, I thought it sounded similar to Snapchat. (I love the different cities featured on Snapchat Live! Who's with me on that?!) The difference with Periscope is the live aspect - the ability to show what you're currently doing/recording at that very moment and to interact with viewers.

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This afternoon, I tried it out for myself on my lunch break. I walked around campus and answered questions from the people commenting. It was so cool to see people from around the world watching and joining in on the conversation.

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Safety: There is an option to turn the location of your video on, which I find really cool! One of the first updates with the app was to change the location from the exact point to a larger geographical area - so no need to worry about viewers finding your home address. I also haven't seen any "inappropriate" broadcasts, but there is a way to report it and block users if that were to happen.

Updates: I also learned of a new update as of today, which allows people to sign up for an account using their phone number instead of with Twitter. If you don't have a Twitter and don't want to get one, now you don't have to in order to use Periscope.

What do you think about this app? Comment with your username below (mine is @allyarcher, same as my Twitter) and I'll follow you!

Screenshots are from my experience using the Periscope app; all imagery credit goes to Periscope.

Mediterranean Musts: Elba Island, Italy

why you should visit elba island, italy

It's been almost a year since I posted about Elba Island, a small island off Italy's Tuscan coast. I was introduced to the island after only a few days of being in Italy when I studied abroad. After a whirlwind of an opening tour in bustling Rome and our first week of classes in Florence, relaxing beach time was exactly what we needed.

If you're headed to the Mediterranean, I definitely recommend it. We stayed in Cavo, a small town where no one spoke English. It was refreshing after being in Rome where walking through a market means dealing with pushy street salespeople shouting "Hello! I'll give you the best price!"

Quick tip: Cavo and other towns on the northern part of the island have rocky beaches, whereas the southern part of the island has sandy beaches. Keep this in mind if you plan on laying out on the beach.

Elba Island Beach

Seagull Italian Coast

Cavo Italy

Cavo Italy from the Ferry

Elba Island

Sign Elba Island

Elba Island Homes

Street Sign Elba Island

Portoferrario, Itlay

Cavo Elba Island

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16 Italian Experiences You Need To Have In Italy

Florence Street Cafe

1. Eat gelato on the triangle bridge in Florence

There's something magical about enjoying your gelato while you lean up against the bridge over the Arno River.

2. Drink wine at Piazza Miniato while you watch the sun set

piazza miniato

Take it a step above Piazzale Michaelangelo - literally - in front of the church that sits higher on the hill.

3. Marvel at the famous duomo in each of these cities: Florence, Milan, Siena

Duomo Florence

4. Hike Mt. Vesuvius and visit the ruins of Pompeii

Pompeii

History class just got much more exciting, now that you're seeing it in person.

5. Eat Italian food...obviously

But this list wouldn't be complete without  it. Carbs don't totally count when you're in Italy. ;)

6. Take a train or bus through the Tuscan countryside

Perugia

Get lost in your thoughts as you stare out the window.

7. Visit the Colosseum in Rome

Colosseum

Perhaps the most iconic structure in Italy, the Colosseum is among many famous, ancient, historical sites that you cannot miss while in the Eternal City.

8. Go on an early morning run along the Tiber River in Rome

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Take in the popular sights as the town wakes up: Vatican City, Castelo d'Saint Angelo, and maybe even head over to the Roman Forum and Pantheon. It beats the stagnant view out the gym window on the treadmill back home.

9. Head down to Sicily for a more unique feel for Italy

10. Set sail for the sea and dock at beautiful Italian islands

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Elba, Capri, and Sardinia are a few of many Mediterranean musts.

11. Visit Venice during Carnivale (February)

This festival is sure to be worth the trip!

12. Go to Lake Como, a lake in Northern Italy near the Swiss border

Bellagio Lake Como

Not just because George Clooney has a house there.

13. Taste a massive variety of gelato flavors at the Florence Gelato Festival (June)

Everything from red wine gelato to sushi-flavored is served, including original favorites such as ciocolatto, straciatella, and fragola.

14. For another festival to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to Perugia for the annual Chocolate Festival (October)

perugia chocolate festival

If they still play that dreaded "Cioooo--cooo---latte!" theme song on repeat...so help me God...

15. Go wine tasting in Tuscany

Boboli Gardens

Where better to sample wine than in Italy's finest wine region?!

16. Have warm, fresh pastries from a Secret Bakery in Florence

Secret-Bakery-Florence

Because Nutella croissants just taste way better at 2 am.