So, you want to study abroad! The possibilities are endless: London, Paris, Africa, and Denmark, just to name a few. I am finishing up my first month at the DIS (Danish Institute for Study Abroad) in Copenhagen, Denmark, and it has been fabulous.
Yet no matter how well you prepare for your semester, adusting to life in foreign country is guaranteed to be full of surprises and challenges. During my first month alone, I have very quickly learned some Do’s and Don’ts of Study Abroad. Some lessons have been harder than others. Nevertheless, what I have learned (and continue to discover) by leaving my comfort zone has ultimately made my study abroad experience all the more rewarding. I hope these tips will encourage you to make the most of your own adventure abroad, and that they will hopefully help ensure that all stages of your trip go smoothly. Safe travels!
Before You Leave:
1: Make a checklist of the toiletries and clothes you want to bring.
I am serious. Having a checklist a month in advance allows you to not stress out the night before you leave because you forgot to bring home your snow boots from college.
2: Pack as early as possible.
It takes longer than you think: I should have followed my own advice. The week of my departure, I was sorting through clothes, volunteering, and saying goodbye to everyone. It was a chaotic mess. I recommend designating a packing day or two, three weeks before you leave. Pack good walking shoes; your feet will thank you.
3: If you have a smartphone, have it unlocked, or at least research affordable cell phone plans.
I wish someone told me this. Unlocking smartphones can take up to 1 to 2 weeks or shorter/longer depending on your carrier. The time frame for when unlocking should be done is fuzzy but I suggest 3 weeks maybe more (talk to your service provider). My program in Denmark helped students get simple phones that have pre-paid calling and texting plans. The company they worked with also had pre-paid plans for smartphones. Look on your program’s website to see if they have any deals with cell phones. *for iPhones: if your phones AppleCare warranty is not expired yet, unlocking the phone lifts the warranty to get a replacement or repair.
4: Buy a travel adapter to charge your phone and laptop.
Before traveling to Europe, I did not know that different types of electrical plugs existed. Luckily, my host parents found one for me, but I am sure it was pricey. Save money and buy one before leaving. Also, make sure the plug and voltage work in the country you are traveling too. Most of the adapters come with a list of countries.
5: Apply for a debit or credit card that does not have foreign transfer fees.
Some banks debit or credit cards charge three or four percent when used outside America. Before you leave, make sure you have a card that does not get charged. Sadly, I learned this lesson the hard way after purchasing food with my debit card and being charged more money than necessary. I know that Bank of America has a travel credit card for students that does not have foreign transfer fees. Also, be sure to let your bank know (with a phone call or online) that you are traveling to your program’s country and any other countries you plan on visiting. Doing so ensures that you don’t set off fradulent transation alerts when you use your card abroad.
During Your Time Abroad:
6: Engage the community.
It sounds cliché, but studying abroad is a time for you to expand your educational and social circles. Become friends with community members, whether in your classes or through volunteering. It will be the best decision you ever made (besides studying abroad in the first place).
7: Learn the types of transportation systems and develop a route.
If you are studying abroad in a metropolitan area, public transportation or bikes will be your best friend. If possible, take each form of transportation once and discover a basic route to get to and from home and school. Then write each route down and keep them with you. If, however, you happen to be studying in an area with an emerging or not readily accessible public transit system, ask the staff in your program for the most efficient routes to get to and from home and school.
8: Stay off social media as much as possible.
I heard this tip during my homestay orientation, and I think it is helpful. Homesickness is normal and to be expected: it is a reality of being abroad and away from people you care about. However, I believe that checking social media excessively can exacerbate these feelings and cloud the fact that you are in a completely new space with hidden treasures. This is the time to explore. However, social media is a great way of communicating with family and friends- just make sure you practice moderation.
9: Be healthy and safe.
Getting sick while abroad is not fun. Make sure to be getting at least six to seven hours of sleep and try not to pull too many all-nighters. In addition, in many countries eighteen is the legal age to drink. Drinking is not necessary to have a fun time abroad. If you choose to drink, try not to mix your alcohol, eat food before/while drinking, and stay hydrated– it will keep you safe and help decrease the likelihood of a hangover. When traveling home after a fun night, be mindful of your surroundings and practice common sense. Finally, make sure that you know who to contact (local law enforcement, program advisers, your host family, friends) and how to reach them in the event of an emergency.
10: Have fun and take many pictures!
This is the experience of a lifetime! Don’t spend so much time planning and worrying that you forget to enjoy yourself and embrace everything study abroad has to offer academically and culturally. And be sure to document your travels for posterity (and folks back home)!