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Things You Wish You Knew Before Studying Abroad

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Albany chapter.

You won’t wear all those clothes.

Seriously, pack light. You will end up bringing half of your wardrobe abroad with you, only to immediately regret it when the majority never leaves your suitcase. Just pack what is essential, because you’ll probably buy plenty of new things in your host country anyway.

Learn the money system ASAP.

Try to learn and adjust to the currency system in your new country as soon as you can to avoid any confusion. Keep an eye on the exchange rate too – sometimes it’s a blessing, other times it’s your worst enemy.

Take photos everywhere, and of everything.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, make sure to take lots of photos. Even if you look like a massive tourist, you’ll regret it if you don’t. You’re only studying abroad once, and you’ll want to document everything you did and all of the memories made, so whether it’s food, friends or the places you visit: take a lot of photos.

Also, eat everything.

Even if you feel slightly guilty about eating that amazing looking dessert after your meal, you should just go for it. After all, you are in a whole new country trying new and different foods that you might not have experienced before, so don’t hold back.

Have an open mind.

You never know what to expect when you study abroad. Every day holds something different. Go into this experience with an open mind and make sure to try everything at least once.

Don’t take anything for granted.

Once you go home at the end of the semester, that’s it. You will miss so much about your study abroad experiences so don’t take any of it for granted. It’ll sadly be gone way before you know it.

Travel, travel, travel.

Whenever you get the opportunity, you have to travel and explore! When else will you get the chance to pop off to a whole new country or city at the weekend? Make the most of your time abroad and see as much of the sights as you can. 

Edited by Toni Moy

(Picture Sources: E online, buzzfeed, ​tumblr, giphy, weheartit.com)

Tabby is a 3rd year student at Swansea University in the UK, currently on a year abroad at the University at Albany, New York. She studies English & American Studies, and is the Travel & Study Abroad blogger at Her Campus Albany. She absolutely loves to travel, having already visited a number of cities in the U.S. and Canada since arriving last summer, including Boston, Chicago, Montreal and Washington D.C. Tabby also enjoys music, shopping, eating a lot of food (and instagramming said food) and excessively watching Netflix. She hopes to pursue a career in Journalism once she graduates in 2016, having done some work experience previously at Microsoft MSN and now working for HC. http://instagram.com/tabbyduff 
Sophie is a 4th year student at the University of Nottingham, England. She is studying American Studies and would love a career in Journalism or Public Relations (preferably while living in NYC). Sophie has been a Fashion Blogger at HC Nottingham since she started at the University at Nottingham in 2012/13. She was also a Publicity Intern during her second year at HC Nottingham in 2013/14. She was a Campus Correspondent during her year abroad for HC Albany as well as contributing to writing for HC Nottingham. She is currently the Head of Publicity for Her Campus, as well as continuing to write fashion blogs. She is a self proclaimed fashion and make-up addict and she also enjoys travelling, reading, (excessively) watching TV shows and films, music, shopping and of course writing for Her Campus!