Congratulations! Studying abroad is quite possibly the best decision you will ever make. Studying abroad opens up a world of endless opportunities, beautiful sights, and most importantly, great food. Whether you will be enjoying the beautiful beaches of Australia or enjoying a baguette by the Eiffel Tower; studying broad is surely an unforgettable experience.
Looking back on my study abroad experience, there were a few things that I wish I did know before I had gone. To ensure that you all have the very best possible trip I have decided to share a few of my personal study abroad tips with you all.
1. Do Your Research
Studying abroad is a chance to immerse yourself in an entirely new culture. This can be very exciting but it is important to also do some research before diving in. There may be language barriers or other cultural differences in your study abroad destination. Take some time to learn common phrases in the native language of the country. This will help you better immerse yourself in the culture and the locals will surely appreciate it. Take additional time to learn about the culture. This will allow you to prepare yourself for possible differences in daily life. The more you know, the better!
2. Plan Ahead
They say time flies when you’re having fun and the saying holds true when it comes to studying abroad. When I studied abroad, I was there for over two months but it felt more like 2 days. Days get hectic and it can be difficult to fit everything in that you want to do during your trip. I highly suggest planning out the major things you want to do in advance. I used Yelp a lot while studying abroad to find great restaurants too.
If you want to take trips while studying abroad, I also recommend booking those in advance too. The earlier you book flights/train tickets the cheaper they will be. Traveling in Europe can be especially cheap too. I studied abroad in London and I was able to travel to Paris via Eurostar for less than $80 round trip.
3. Pack Light
When you’re packing to study abroad you will more than likely over pack (I know I did). The thing is, you will probably buy clothing and other things while you’re away that you want to bring back. But, when your suitcase is bursting at the seams initially, there is virtually no way you’re going to be able to get all that stuff back to the good ol’ U.S.A.
One thing I did to help keep my packing to a minimum was only bring three pairs of jeans. I brought a regular denim pair, a black pair, and a white pair. This was perfect because I had a pair of jeans to match virtually everything then. I also suggest bringing pieces that you can layer like a great denim jacket.
4. Keep a Journal
Like I said previously, studying abroad goes by so fast. Because it goes by so fast, it can be hard to remember all the wonderful details of your trip! I suggest writing in a journal daily so that you can look back on all your memories. I studied abroad only about 10 months ago and there is so much that I forget. But, rereading my journal helps bring all of my great memories back.
5. Be Independent
While I am sure that you will make amazing friends while studying abroad, you also want to be comfortable doing things alone. The truth is, people are not always going to want to do the same things as you. But, this does not mean that you should have to do what other people want to do either. Your time is very limited, so you should really try getting comfortable doings things alone so you can make the most of the time you have. Of course, the first couple of days you may want to stick together while getting used to public transportation and what not. But the sooner you’re comfortable being alone, the better. I personally love visiting art museums by myself. This way I can look at things for as long as I like without having to worry about others.
Well, I hope you keep these tips in mind while studying abroad. Looking back on my trip I wish someone would have told these things sooner, so I hope they help you all. Safe travels!