If there’s one thing I’ve learned from finally fulfilling my lifelong dream of studying abroad, it’s that research alone cannot fully prepare you for the experience to come. No how-to guide can fully cover the unique trials and tribulations each foreign city offers. While my time in Southern Italy may not be applicable to every location, only a first-hand narrative can capture the true fear of almost missing a flight at 6 a.m. in Vienna or what it’s like to greet new hostel roommates at odd hours of the night. This is more than a survival guide; I hope this article fills you with inspiration and a desire to pursue study abroad yourself.
A fresh start
Sure, navigating a new city is terrifying, but the concept of making new friends abroad kept me up at night. Even my freshman year of college came with the safety net of some amazing built-in friends. Now that I’ve made it out alive, I can’t stress enough how much I recommend going it alone.
Just 30-something days of catching trains and hopping cities can transform a stranger into your future bridesmaid. Although it feels daunting, everyone is searching for friends to go on side quests with. No safety nets mean no excuses to avoid meeting new people, and at the very least, I’ve heard solo trips can be quite transformative.
weekend trip mania
If traveling to one foreign place on your own seems daunting enough, imagine frantically finding the nearest person with no plans and booking buses, trains, and flights in a couple of days. Now take a deep breath and trust me when I say it’s worth it. Going on a weekend trip every weekend isn’t for the faint of heart and definitely isn’t easy on the wallet, but I do recommend at least one. One of mine was Vienna, Austria. This trip emerged on a whim and resulted in one of the best 24 hours of my life. It pays off to be spontaneous, but if you’re particularly type A, you can always plan your trips.
Thanks to this trip (which I almost skipped out of anxiety), I was able to visit key sites from a movie I adore, Before Sunrise. You never know what a city might have in store for you, and Vienna had a lot to offer. If you ever visit, I highly recommend staying at the Hostel Ruthensteiner.
put the “study” in study abroad
In truth, I didn’t expect studying to take up so much of my time abroad. In my defense, this is the part people tend to leave out and is supposed to be the least memorable. I consider myself lucky that it ended up being some of my fondest memories from the trip. Thanks to the class I spent hours writing thoughtful papers for, I met two friends I’ll cherish forever and went on a total of 12 field trips to neighboring cities or excursions with. Plus, the airport is an excellent place to get your homework done.
I recommend taking advantage of your classes and pouring effort into them as long as it’s not at the expense of experience. I still cherish having lunch in Capri with classmates or swimming in Positano with my friend Mya. Just because an excursion is school–related definitely doesn’t make it lame.
dive into the uknown…with reinforcements
One of the most beautiful parts of studying abroad is being immersed in a new culture. I fondly recall the small joy of walking down a charming Italian street to pick up my daily cappuccino and chocolate croissant, all while being serenaded by locals speaking a lovely language. It was one of those moments that made me completely forget the fears I’d once had about the unknown.
Visiting a foreign country comes with a whole new list of safety concerns, like pickpocketing. Your parents may drill fears into your head as mine did, but fear shouldn’t come at the cost of exploration. I often went on solo walks or trips to the grocery store at night, but always kept my wits about me. One insider tip: check pepper spray laws in your country. European countries have different laws about your right to carry pepper spray, and even how you can use it. This is so important, and I don’t recommend walking alone at night if you have no way of protecting yourself.
an aperol spritz too many
So, we’ve gathered that studying abroad can be a little scary, but some fear is good in moderation. Fear makes sure I don’t have too many Aperol Spritzes at night and don’t walk down suspicious alleyways alone. Just don’t let it stand in the way of trying new things. Go on that last-minute trip, learn a new language—even if it’s only hello and goodbye—and embrace the mistakes that will soon become fun stories. By the end of it, you’ll do anything for another month in paradise.