One of the CCs of Her Campus Lasell is abroad this semester and will be taking you through her journey with tips and tricks to surviving (and hopefully enjoying) your study abroad experience.
Six Months Before: Pick Your City
Picking your city is one of the hardest parts about studying abroad. But don’t stress about it too much! Once you are in one country, it is usually easy and inexpensive to visit other countries. Some factors to consider are language barriers, cost of living, and climate.
The language barrier is not as scary as it sounds. Even knowing just a small amount of the language can help. But if you have the chance to learn the language, it is definitely recommended! Locals appreciate the effort so much more. Another aspect to explore is the cost of living. Most students abroad do not have a continuous income, so budgeting is necessary. It is recommended by most previously abroad students to bring $5,000 for the semester (but be aware of exchange rates—$5,000 does not equal 5,000 euros). The other major aspect is climate. Do you want warm weather until the day you leave? Or would you rather be chilly in the mountains? Absolutely research this. You may think one place is sunny and warm but not realize it will be 100 degrees everyday for the first month you are there. All of these aspects require a little bit of research.
Five Months Before: Sign-up and Make the Payments
Once the city has been chosen, the next step is to get the paperwork and fees over with. Get all of this done as soon as possible! This includes applications to the home university, to the program (if applicable), and the study abroad school. A passport and student visa are also necessary. Use your study abroad office to help you through the whole process.
Two or Three Months Before: Ask Around
The next step is to ask family, friends, or any acquaintances that have studied abroad any questions you have. Just about everyone that goes loves it and has so much to tell. Everyone’s experience is different, so it is a good idea to talk to as many people as possible.
The Week Before: Packing
Packing is probably the most difficult part. Moving halfway across the world with only one or two suitcases for a whole semester does not fit a shoe-aholic’s lifestyle. Plus it is so hard to pack for the weather and climate of a place you haven’t visited, or have only visited during one season. Go online or ask someone that has studied in the city before. Try to bring clothes that can be layered and are very versatile. But also leave room in your budget to buy more clothes because you won’t be able to predict the weather completely (and new clothes from a foreign country are never a bad idea).
The real problem is the amount of clothes you bring. Most airlines have a limit on baggage, and even some programs that coordinate airport pick-up will make you keep your baggage under a certain weight. Space bags are a good idea for sweaters and other bulky items, but won’t change the weight of the item.
Many people go by the “lay out your clothes and cut them in half, then cut that in half” rule. It is very difficult, but try your best to pack smart and (somewhat) light. Things you really should cut in half and in half again are shoes, purses, and jewelry. Only bring the items that you won’t mind ruining (it can happen—cobblestones and new boots/heels don’t mix) and that are very versatile. Shoes take up a lot of room, so pick comfort over style. Same goes for purses, and jewelry may get lost so always be aware of that.
Besides clothing, there are many other things that need to be packed. Many places abroad won’t have the same brands that you use at home, so any hair products or toiletries you live on need to be brought along. The same goes for over-the-counter medications. NyQuil is not usually available abroad, so if that’s your go-to medication bring a package of it with you. Bring enough of your prescribed medications to last the length of your time abroad. Pharmacies can’t refill prescriptions written abroad, and doctors abroad can’t usually prescribe medications without doing tests on you.
Other items to bring are things specifically for traveling. It depends on how much you plan to do while you are abroad, but there are many people that travel every weekend. A small duffle bag or large backpack will do for clothes and toiletries. You should also bring sunscreen, bug spray, and a neck pillow for those long bus rides.
With all of this said, don’t stress too much about it! Anything that you forget you can either find abroad or will learn to live without— which is not as bad as it sounds.
The Day Of: At the Airport
The emotional airport departure. Whether it’s your parents, siblings, best friends, or significant other, it is always so hard to say goodbye. You are off on this adventure all on your own, so far away. So bring your tissues and a good international phone plan. And remember through the tears as you depart that they want this for you. You will have so many amazing adventures and they cannot wait to hear all about them.
Make sure you’re on the lookout for the next installment, Abroad Blog: The First Days!
Photo provided by Taylor.