Things The Summer I Turned Pretty Got Right About Moving Abroad
The Summer I Turned Pretty is arguably one of the hottest topics right now, and Belly's decision to move to Paris to study abroad really captures the emotions of studying abroad.
While it seemed that her move abroad was a bit rushed and random (we don’t blame her!), as someone who is French and has moved to Denmark and the US in her early twenties, I really thought she was being genuine.
The crappy first apartment
Sometimes, when you study abroad, finding an apartment or a good place to live is tough because the housing market can be crazy! If you are in a college town, you can probably find a dorm or a college off-campus apartment. However, if you live in a bigger city like New York, where everything is expensive and you have a small budget, you will sometimes have to accept that your new place will not be the dream place.
Not understanding your roommates
Living with people from the country you moved to can be difficult. Like Belly experienced, they may not be your best friends, and they may have different ways of living. You could try to be positive about it and flexible, but sometimes it will get on your nerves. At the end of the day, you are different, but it is one way to accelerate your understanding of the new culture you live in.
Having an international friend group
"The Summer I Turned Pretty" Season 3 (Prime Video)
When you study or live abroad, you end up having a mix of friends from different countries, just like Belly. You will meet them at the most random places, like a bar or at work. Having such an international friend group can be such a powerful thing because you get a glimpse of so many cultures at once, and in the future, you will basically have friends all across the world, which makes traveling so fun!
Friends visiting from home
Belly and Conrad in Paris/Versailles (Image via Prime Video)
Having Taylor visit Belly in Paris was so real, and just like when Conrad came to Paris (spoilers, sorry), you kinda have to play the city guide and show them the main monuments. But the best parts of having your friends visit are showing them what your life looks like in your new country. Showing them your favorite coffee shop, your favorite place on campus, a secret rooftop…
The “when are you coming back?” question
If you really love studying abroad and plan to stay longer than anticipated, like Belly did in Paris, you will probably get asked by your close friends and family when you will come back. And like Belly, you may plan to stay longer than just a semester because the life you built is so fun, and it is hard to leave your new routine that you worked so hard to build. Sometimes, getting asked this question can make you feel a little guilty like Belly, because you are having fun, you built something so different than back home, and if you love it, it is normal to have a hard time giving it up and constantly pushing back the return flight.
The rollercoaster of emotions
Belly arriving in Paris / Belly in 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'.
Credits: Prime Video/YouTube
In a previous blog article, we talked about the different emotional stages of moving abroad. Belly really embodied them in the last two episodes of season 3. She did hit the first three stages faster than most international students, but she really shows the reality of the two stages after freaking out.
Last Words
Overall, The Summer I turned Pretty may be a classic romcom, but I would advise anyone to watch the last two episodes because of how real some parts are about moving abroad. No matter if you came back from an exchange or if you are on your way, these two last episodes of season three will probably speak to you.
