I first boarded a plane when I was 14, which was also the first time I traveled to Europe. It marked my initial venture outside the U.S., aside from a trip to Canada—though back then, crossing the border didn’t even require a passport.
I was somewhat alone on this journey, as I was part of an orchestra touring across various places. There was a schedule, and an adult was responsible for our well-being, along with 85 other high school students, 8 counselors, and a board member.
Looking back, I think that feeling of distance—being in Europe—was something I cherish. It felt genuinely far from home.
However, I didn’t have my family with me, and honestly, at that age, I often felt “lonely.”
Connecting from Afar
This was before smartphones were ubiquitous. I couldn’t send my parents an email every hour, or check my messages at will—I didn’t even have an email account. I could, however, make phone calls, which I did every few days.
But it wasn’t as simple as just picking up a phone; I needed a calling card.
Do you remember those?
There was an instruction manual on the back, detailing how to make international calls, with all the country codes and a long string of numbers to dial. The whole process was almost like solving a puzzle; one mistake sent you back to square one.
But it worked. I managed to call home every three to four days, just as my parents wanted.
Welcoming Families
At each stop, we split up and stayed with different host families, each having several kids of their own. They would offer us basic directions in their not-so-great English, hand us their phones when we needed to call home, and if they were particularly generous, they even allowed us to have a bit of wine at dinner.
On our final night, we held an outdoor concert in the town square, with all the host families there, sitting on folding chairs. There was food, soda (which was still a novelty back home at that time), and probably some wine, too.
The next morning, we boarded a bus to yet another small town, doing the same routine again. After four weeks of this whirlwind, it was time to board a plane and head home.
This was a summer tradition for me throughout high school. I had a fantastic time, gaining insight into other cultures and, honestly, myself. For a Midwestern kid, those experiences were pivotal and set me on a course I’m still navigating today.
Thoughts of Parenting
Still, I can’t help but question whether I’d allow my kids to do something similar. The very idea of sending my young son abroad with strangers makes me anxious. Yet, my parents, being good ones, let me go, and I turned out just fine.
Fortunately, my son has several years before turning 14, giving me time to ease into the idea. If he does go, at least we’ll stay connected through modern technology, not just those clunky cards.
But sometimes, I wonder if that old calling card experience was part of a magical charm. Sharing every little detail through endless photos and updates from home doesn’t quite compare to the thrill of truly being on your own.
Perhaps that’s what I value most in reminiscing about my summer in Europe. Back then, I felt far away—far from my parents, my school, and everything familiar. A certain distance, I think, is one of the perks of growing up. Traveling carries meaning, especially when it feels like an escape.
New Realities
Now, with a smartphone in hand and email at my fingertips, I find myself back in Europe. I’m constantly in touch with my wife and she shares photos of our kids. I can FaceTime them and share snippets of my new surroundings while managing work from afar—even if it feels different.
I appreciate this modern reality, yet I sometimes miss the old days. The world feels so much smaller now, and everything is more accessible. Maybe the spontaneity of my youthful summers abroad was simply a reflection of being young. Now, I feel different—older, perhaps—and the wonder isn’t as vivid.
We live in an era where digital connectivity is always present, and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Those last few years before mobile phones really took off now feel like the tail end of an enchanting time. I didn’t fully grasp it back then, but the rise of communication technology marked the end of a unique sense of adventure.
Complaining about changes won’t serve anyone well. This smaller world does have its perks. But whenever I want to recall the allure of a wider, more unpredictable world, I find myself smiling at the memory of a calling card in my hand.
