USAC Cork, Ireland student Mia Budde talks about learning and un-learning the stereotypes she had before studying in Europe.
When I started planning my study abroad journey, I didn’t have any idea of what to expect. Unlike most people, I wanted to be surprised about what life was like when I landed. Instead of researching the country I was traveling to ahead of time, I thought the stereotypes I had heard about were enough to go on. I took everything I had thought about individual European countries and ended up combining all European stereotypes together. Before I left, I had anticipated all Europeans to be fashionable and eat dinner late.
Thinking back, a little bit of research would’ve helped me avoid the “stupid American” stereotype, but seeing firsthand that my initial ideas were wrong gave me more appreciation for individual cultures. Europe is a big continent — social norms, fashion, and food vary widely from country to country. I studied abroad in Cork, Ireland, through University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) for a summer and then in Lyon, France for a semester. Both experiences taught me a lot about how different European lifestyles can be, and how different they are from what I expected.
Once I arrived in Cork, I was greeted by a green city and friendly people. It was immediately clear that my initial ideas of what life was like here were wrong. I noticed that the majority of people wore athletic clothes when walking around. Not in the same way many people do in the U.S., but instead I saw a lot of tracksuits and soccer jerseys. I also noticed most people ate dinner around the same time I normally would: around 6 p.m.
My second time going abroad, I decided to do a little more research than before. I found that fashion and food are large portions of French culture. France felt more like what I had originally pictured as “European,” but still was not quite what I had expected. In Lyon, fashion was more polished — teens carried purses to school, and people had unique styles. Looking put together was the norm.
Ireland looked completely different from what I was used to growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Compared to the desert, Ireland’s green fields and damp air was refreshing. Cork felt like a mix between city and countryside: charming, walkable, and full of friendly faces.
On the other hand, Lyon had more of an urban feel than Cork. The big city was fun and felt like there was always something to do: museums, restaurants, exploring, etc. Lyon was a great location too because the Alps were only about an hour away, so it was easy to get some ski trips in!
In terms of food, Ireland was fairly similar to America; there were plenty of different cuisines to choose from. Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France. You can find ‘bouchons,’ which are traditional restaurants that serve rich and hearty French dishes. While I did love trying new foods, I found that both cities’ food were a little bland compared to the food I normally make for myself.
One of the main differences between the two cities that I noticed was how their Sundays functioned. In Cork, stores were open just with limited hours. In Lyon, however, churches and a select few grocery stores were the only establishments open to the public. Even the pharmacy was only open for a couple hours. While at home in the U.S., my Sunday routine consists of preparing for the week with grocery shopping and running errands. In France, I had to completely readjust my habits.
Even though it’s easy to find the differences between my experiences in these countries, there are also some striking similarities! Both countries focused on and encouraged sustainability through reusable bags, cups, and other environmentally conscious efforts. In Cork, I got into the habit of bringing my own reusable to-go mug to coffee shops, rather than getting a new disposable cup every time. Both cities charged for bags at the grocery stores and shopping stores, so almost everyone carried reusable bags with them for when they went shopping.
If there’s one thing I wish I had known before going abroad, it’s that Europe isn’t one lifestyle, but each country, and even each city, has its own rhythm and customs. There were obvious differences between the two cities I studied in, however, there was a shared emphasis on environmental awareness as well as a slower pace compared to the U.S.
Starting out as the “stupid American” allowed me to come home with a deeper appreciation for the everyday habits in European life that not everyone gets a chance to see.
Mia is a senior at the University of Nevada-Reno, pursuing two degrees in philosophy and French. She studied abroad in Cork, Ireland in summer 2023 and Lyon, France for the spring semester in 2025. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school. In her free time, she loves to try new foods and watch movies with friends.
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