Emily Solley currently studies English Literature at Florida State University. This semester, she’s adventuring abroad to Florence, Italy to study Italian Reading and Conversation, a special topic art history class on the Florentine Renaissance and Comparative Politics: European Union. This column has two purposes. First, to share the opportunity of experiencing a different country with those of you are still in the U.S. (and hopefully convince you to study abroad yourself) and second, to share helpful information with those who are currently studying abroad. This week, Emily shares her tips and tricks for studying abroad from her own personal experience.
My spring break in Ireland never would have happened without Ryanair.
Courtesy: Emily A. Solley
1. Cheap airfare
Take advantage of budget airlines like Ryanair, Alitalia, Vueling and Easyjet. Each country has their favorite budget airline. Although it might be a little inconvenient to travel to a major city that the airline flies out of, you can potentially save hundreds of euros by checking into the budget airlines. Remember, they make their money through fees and penalties, so read the fine print. Don’t forget to print out your ticket, check in ahead of time and check the size of your luggage.
2. Take advantage of trains and buses
For an American, especially a Floridian, the wide availability of public transportation in Europe is startling. It can be hard to adjust to the idea that you can get just about anywhere by train. They are a great option for travelling within Italy and to other countries. Trains aren’t always the cheapest option, but they can are convenient, safe and fast. For example, while in Ireland, we travelled between three cities using trains. On one of our legs, we had to take a bus to a major city and then get on a train; but the train companies make it very easy to tell where it is most convenient to travel.
3. Know when the tourist season starts (and ends)
This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, going during the off-season guarantees you cheaper flights, lodging and food. You can be sure you won’t run into huge crowds or have long waits at the most popular tourist sights. However, don’t be surprised when many of the restaurants, tour companies, and natural adventures are closed. During the tourist season, it is much easier to find tours and outdoor activities such as kayaking, swimming and snorkeling.
4. Look into student tour groups
Italy has two major student tour groups: SmarTrip and Bus2alps. There are many smaller tour companies that offer the same deal. Essentially, they provide travel and lodging for one price, and make sure you get from point A to point B without any hassle. Be aware that in some cases, this “hassle free” travel might involve a twelve-hour overnight bus ride. While extremely cheap (especially when the companies run discounts), and reassuring for worried parents, large groups and long bus rides can make group tours lose their allure.
One of the main reasons I went to Dublin was to see the Guinness Storehouse, which is only accessible by following a series of confusing signs to a back alley.
Courtesy: Emily A. Solley
5. Do your research
Go in with a plan. You don’t want to get to your destination and realize that you have no idea what to do. While you should not plan every second of your day, it is beneficial to have a general idea of which places you need to see. This is especially important in big cities, where your day will be packed with walking around as you try to absorb everything. When you plan ahead, you can make sure to plan your day around sights that are located relatively close to one another instead of walking in circles.
6. Download or print a map
With that said, travelling in Europe can be stressful for those of us who have come to rely on smart phone GPS apps. There are a few options for downloading a map to use without internet or service, including Google Maps and Maps.me. However, these options are not always the most accurate. Sometimes, the best option is to go old school: print out a few paper maps before you leave and keep an eye out for more detailed maps in the airport, train station, and hostel. If you mark your lodging and main landmarks on your map, you will find it pretty easy to get around without getting lost. The best thing about paper maps is that they do not need a battery or Internet, so do not underestimate the usefulness of a sheet of computer paper.
While in Killarney National Park, we found an abandoned boat in the middle of nowhere.
Courtesy: Emily A. Solley
7. Don’t be afraid to just wander around
Maybe you’ll find a boat in the middle of the woods. Some of my most memorable afternoons have been spent wandering aimlessly without any idea of where I am; a stranger in a new city. You sometimes get your best sense of a new place when you stroll down a back alley or sit at a local coffee shop. Take some time out of your busy schedule to get lost in a new place, keeping your eyes open for what is unique about each distinct city.