Exceptional Birthdays in Extraordinary Places
Upon turning 21 in the United States, there is little guessing as to how the day will be celebrated. In fact, for many young people most birthdays are filled with what we in Spanish call “la borrachera,” roughly translated as drunken shenanigans. Turning 21 has practically become a sacred right of passage for the young and crazy college students of our time. Obviously, this special day does not exist in other parts of the world where generally, the drinking age is 18.
Many students feel they are missing out on their birthdays if they do happen to fall during their study abroad experiences. This is especially true when the student has recently arrived to the country, in which case the student may not have too many friends or may not have become assimilated to the area. Even more painful is the loss of the all mighty 21st. It is common to dream of what your birthday could have been at home with all of your friends and family and the craziness that is sure to proceed.
The lack of cards, presents and phone calls may make a student feel very lonely. It is hard to overcome the loss of your loved ones on your birthday. It may feel impossible to have an incredible day without those delicious Confetti vanilla cupcakes your Mom makes for you every year. However, there is a very easy and simple cure to these birthday blues: take advantage of your location. Do something that you could never possibly do on your birthday if you were home. In other words, don’t just spend it getting hammered in some bar.
Let your host country become your best friend and make the most of your very special situation. Consume yourself in the birthday culture of your new community instead of missing and complaining about your old one. Use your birthday as a means to celebrate your new discoveries in your new country. Travel to a new place you never could have possibly had access to earlier and let the day become a true day to remember.
Toast in front of the Great Wall of China. Celebrate on the lawns of the Eiffel tower. Tango the night away in a dance bar in Argentina. Put a candle on the culturally-authentic cake your host mother made for you and realize that you have had the opportunity to celebrate your birthday with new experiences and new friends and family.
As for turning the magical age of 21, personally, my 21st birthday was spent right here in Costa Rica and even without the 21 shots and ensuing vomit, it was one of the best I have ever had. Here is a shocking newsflash: you do not have to get obliterated on your 21st. Ten years from now, when nostalgic co-workers are sharing their stories of their own special and wild birthdays, if played right, your study abroad story will potentially be the best. Instead of the cliché “drunkest I have ever been in my life story,” let your story be completely extraordinary and original.
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Exceptional Birthdays in Extraordinary Places
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