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Ask anyone who’s studied abroad, and they’ll probably tell you it was one of the best experiences of their life. It’s not hard to imagine why – there’s little else that seems better than living in a city rich with history, where you may pass by an ancient monument just while you’re on your way to class.
But if you’ve decided that studying abroad is something you want to do, don’t get fooled into thinking that your time there is just an extended vacation. Studying abroad offers so many opportunities to expand your horizons, so don’t let them go to waste!
Unsure of how to do that? Take it from someone who’s been there. Sonali Prabhu spent two weeks in Rome with Education First International Language Campuses. EF has been around for over 50 years, so we’d say they’ve got this whole study abroad thing down pat. Because of EF, her time in Italy was so much more immersive, educational and fun than it would’ve been otherwise—and it’s because she was able to do these few things that make all the difference. Here’s how you can learn from Sonali’s experience and make the most of your time studying abroad.
1. Learn the native language
Surprisingly, there are many study abroad programs where students aren’t required to learn the country’s native language. To that, we say, “Then what’s the point?”
Traveling to and walking around another country without speaking its language is a lot like only reading the little blurb on the back of a book and then assuming you know the whole plot. EF’s courses are all about foreign-language immersion—they offer seven different languages, all of which are spoken across the world—and they’re much more comprehensive and fast-paced than your typical language class at school. In fact, you move up a language level within four to six weeks, instead of a whole semester. That means you’ll be able to speak respectfully and easily with the locals and learn more about their lives and their city in no time.
In case you’re worried you’ll be thrown to the sharks without any practice, EF classes are small (less than 20 people) and you’re grouped in with people around your age and language ability. So if you don’t even know how to say “hello,” you won’t have to sit next to the kid that’s already taken two semesters worth of classes.
You also won’t just be repeating vocab words over and over—EF’s teaching methods are tried and true, and they break classes down into three components: dynamic general language lessons, special interest lessons and project-based lessons.
Sonali’s trip was only for two weeks, but after just one week of EF classes, she was beginning to understand what local residents were saying to her. With a skill like this, you’ll be able to follow the street signs to find that little bakery you’ve been dying to go to, and you can order a delicious meal at the restaurant without having to struggle with speaking to the waiter. There’s really no downside we can think of.
Oh, and did we mention multilingualism looks great on a resume? As EF says, “The future belongs to those who can speak multiple languages.” They even give you a certificate with your language level at the end of your course, so you can impress employers and stay ahead of the curve when you’re looking for a job.
2. Live with a host family to experience local culture
Living with strangers who speak a different language may sound intimidating in theory, but it’s so much better for your experience in the long run, trust us. When you stay with an EF host family, they’ll help you out with breakfast and dinner—and homemade cuisine trumps overpriced, tourist-y restaurant fare any day. It’ll also help you with learning the language, because you’ll start having conversations with them around the house, which will necessarily require you to master at least the basics (they can teach you colloquial expressions, since formally-taught languages aren’t always how the locals speak).
Plus, it’s nice to have some point people to turn to in a city you’ve never been to. If you want to know the best places to take pictures in the city, or what areas you should avoid, you can ask someone who’s lived the experience instead of trying to Google every time you have a question.
Sonali’s Italian host family even took her out to a nice restaurant her last night in Rome! She says they went “above and beyond to make me comfortable in Rome” during her time there, and that’s par for the course with host families. They just want you to have the best experience, and to learn about their lifestyle.
And the extra perk of host families? You can stay in touch with them after you leave, and if you ever decide to return, you’ll have some friendly faces to welcome you back.
3. Don’t just eat the food—understand the tradition behind it
Let’s be honest: The food is one of the best parts of studying abroad. Sushi in Tokyo, paella in Barcelona, pasta in Rome—we’re not sure which one we want more (and EF has programs in 12 cities, so you can follow your stomach wherever it takes you!). But while the local cuisine is great to eat, it’s also fun to make.
Sonali got the chance to learn how to make pasta from scratch, and it was a much more thoughtful and fun way to make dinner than simply dumping the box of spaghetti from your cabinet into a pot. Because it was an EF activity, she was also able to bond with other people in her program from all over the world, including two girls from Hungary—EF students come from over 100 countries, so you’ll make tons of unique connections you couldn’t get otherwise.
Beyond the social benefits, though, understanding where your food comes from and the cultural tradition that surrounds it will make you more appreciative of it and the people who make it every day. And it probably tastes better that way, right?
4. Venture beyond your city
Whichever city you choose as your destination will have its own museums, shops and sightseeing attractions, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to one place for the whole time you’re there. When you have a free weekend, take a day trip to another part of the beautiful country you’re calling home for the time being. Just like New York or LA doesn’t represent all of America, one city in another country isn’t a full picture of that country or culture.
Sonali took a day trip to Venice when she had some free time, and it was so easy—you just hop on the train, and soon enough, you can be on a gondola ride. The EF team, who supports you during your entire time abroad, can give you the info you need when you want to travel so you don’t have to worry about getting lost or not being able to figure out public transportation.
Going all the way to another country just to stay within the same few neighborhoods seems like a waste of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so pack a bag for the day (don’t forget your camera!) and take in as much as possible.
5. Take some thoughtful souvenirs
Keychains and cheesy mugs are all well and good, but when you have the chance to buy something from another country, wouldn’t you rather it be something that you’ll actually be proud of using?
Part of the EF programs are local activities you can choose between that you do with other students, and plenty of them are centered around shopping. If you’re in Malaga, you can go on a weekend trip to a spice market in Morocco. If you’re in Nice, you can shop at the market. In Paris, you can visit a fashion designer’s work shop, something you wouldn’t normally be able to do without a program like EF. The possibilities for goodies to take home to your friends and family (and for yourself, because you totally deserve it) are endless.
While in Rome, Sonali bought herself a leather bag (and an extra pair of shoes as a treat!), which we think is the perfect thing to come back home with. Not only is it functional and beautiful, but if people compliment you about it, you can let them know you got it while studying a foreign language abroad. Talk about prestige points.
6. Get college credit, and even work experience
EF has you working hard: Monday to Friday, you’ll be in the classroom for about four hours to master your language of choice, and after that, you’ll be doing cultural immersion activities. And especially if you decide to sign up for a longer trip, as EF’s program flexibility means you can spend anywhere between two and 15 weeks abroad, you should get some college credit for your time there. Like we said before, you’ll be seeing and doing exciting, new things every day, but studying abroad is not the same as a vacation. EF doesn’t see it that way, and your school shouldn’t, either.
If you want to stay even longer than 15 weeks, EF also has semester-long and year-long programs, so you can become fluent and be like a local yourself. They can also help you with getting an internship. That’s right; you can get international work experience while you’re still in college. Employers are obviously impressed by applicants with more work experience, and students who study abroad may find themselves having to stop working for a semester or a year, depending on how long they’re away. But now that’s no longer a worry—EF can help you transform into the savvy, cultured professional you’ve always dreamed of being.
Sonali’s trip to Rome with EF allowed her to try authentic gelato, visit historic sites like the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain and learn the Italian language, all with new friends from different countries and a host family that was excited to get to know her. And this was her first time traveling alone! “I never thought I’d travel to Rome alone,” she explained on Instagram, “but thanks to [EF] I was able to get out of my comfort zone and push myself to see things like never before.” You can travel with friends if you prefer, but know that going alone is not nearly as scary as it sounds at first. In fact, we’re sure you’ll gain confidence and independence as you find your way through an unfamiliar city and culture.
Whether you already have a city in mind, or you only know you have insatiable wanderlust, you can talk one-on-one with a member of the EF Admissions Team. They’ll help you plan the perfect adventure abroad, and before you know it, you’ll be getting a brand-new stamp on your passport as your journey begins.