The 4 Most American Things To Get Arrested For While Studying Abroad

ItalianStallion7 years ago

Study abroad is basically a glorified three-month vacation. One of my biggest regrets from college is that I never got to do it, which is incredibly ironic considering I was an International Business major. While some of my friends were sending drunk snaps from Oktoberfest and sailing to Croatia, I was staying stateside trying to keep up my sterling 2.8 GPA.

The rules of studying abroad are the same as those of being vegan or doing crossfit, and the opposite of those of Fight Club: you never stop talking about it. No matter what the conversation is about, people who studied abroad always find a way to make the conversation about how they studied abroad.

In the rest of the world’s eyes, America is pretty much Earth’s badboy. Europe, Asia, and everywhere else (except maybe Australia) seem tame when compared to the rebels without a cause: the U.S.A. Many Americans tend to get a little rambunctious when they travel overseas, and for good reason. After all, getting a nice blowchachi from a hooker while smoking a blunt would get you the better part of a decade in jail in New York, but in Amsterdam? The cops would probably give you a high five. Here’s my power ranking of the most American things to get arrested for while studying abroad.

Joining The Mile High Club In The Eiffel Tower

Yes, the Eiffel Tower is only 1,063 meters tall at its tip, but to college students who don’t understand the metric system that may as well be a mile. And what better way to celebrate a little stay in the city of love than a quickie in a structure as recognizable as the Empire State Building or Big Ben? Give your date a taste of your bouquet above the Parisian lights and then go out for some wine and cheese afterwards. As an added bonus, I’m sure there’s more room in the Eiffel Tower than an overbooked Spirit Airlines flight. Also, while I’ve never been to France, I hear they’re into voyeurism almost as much as they are waving the white flag.

Gladiator Fighting In The Coliseum

The Roman Coliseum is one of the great arenas of combat sports, like Giants Stadium or Tropicana Field. Sure, it’s “historical” and “ancient,” but this place is just asking to be returned to its former glory. Get a few of your friends together who were good at wrestling in high school and bust out some moves you saw in 300 or Gladiator. Give those other tourists a nice show for their money.

Grand Theft Sailboat

This one is a true story that comes to us from fellow TFM writer Doctor Franzia. According to his own account, he and a few friends were in Ibiza and got wasted off of absinthe. One thing led to another, and they were waterside trying to unmoor a sailboat. Unfortunately the doctor’s efforts were unsuccessful, but he and his friends allegedly avoided prosecution by using a friend’s girlfriend’s connection at NATO to avoid charges.

Swimming In The Trevi Fountain

Inspired by a true story told by one of my friends who studied abroad. It’s apparently illegal to swim in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, which became apparent after one of his friends just couldn’t resist the temptation and took a quick dip. This is one of those things that makes my Italian heart happy, and if I’d studied abroad I would 100% have donned a red, white, and blue speedo and done it as well. His little Michael Phelps stunt cost him a fine of €500 Euros, but the memory and the story are priceless..