I visited Spain, Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Croatia and Austria.
I’m a PhD student in the Department of Physics and Geology at the University of Perugia. I do research in cosmic rays, which are these highly energetic particles that come from many different astrophysical sources, such as supernovae or even the sun.
I’m just a student like you, so I’m not in a position to give advice. I can only share my humble opinion about university life: experiencing life in a foreign country can be incredibly valuable. In the U.S., you may have some of the best universities, so I don’t know if a training period in Europe would be more or less formative than at home—it depends on what you decide to do. What I do know is that the education system and the culture here in Italy are both quite different from in America. Spending even just a few months here with us will surely be fun.
We live in challenging times, and having the opportunity to study in a foreign country might not be so easy in the future. I would take advantage of it while you can. Every European country has its own unique charm — it's up to you to decide which one suits you best.
See you soon!
David
