This is a short list of things I learned while studying abroad in London during fall quarter that might be useful to you if you’re considering studying abroad as well (and yes, it’s definitely worth it!).
1. You Don’t Need to Bring Your Entire Life with You.
Someone told me before studying abroad to pack “light.” Light, like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Okay, maybe one carry-on sized bag is a little too light. Foolish me, thinking I’d need every single item of clothing I had, brought tons of things I never wore. Take it from me—who almost had to pay a “25 quid” fee for my bag being overweight—it’s better to just pack the essentials.
2. You Don’t Need to Take Photos of Everything.
I brought along a nice Nikon DSLR camera that I bought on Black Friday a couple of years ago. While I’m glad that I brought it, I realized that my camera lens got to see the sights more than I did. Please remember that you don’t need to take photos of every single thing you see. Appreciate the moments and take in the sights yourself. Everyone will ask you how you liked what you saw, not your camera.
3. Not All People Hate Americans.
Before going to the UK, I had the impression that most Europeans hated Americans. Luckily though, I only met two people during my trip who were rude to me while abroad (and they were tourists from other countries). But note: being polite, tipping well, and being mindful of the culture really does help make a good impression, and may even surprise the foreign people you encounter.
4. It Helps to be Spontaneous.
It’s really easy to get excited and want to do everything right away when you get to your destination. Trust me, I basically ran to Big Ben as soon as I arrived in London. Try to set aside a couple of days to just walk around and stumble upon new sights. I found a lot of cool places to eat and things to experience while I was in London just by picking a Borough to stroll through and waiting to see what I found as I turned each corner.
5. It’s Worth Jumping Right into the Culture
Whether it’s visiting touristy landmarks, eating food specific to the country you’re visiting, or trying things that the locals are really enthusiastic about, remember that you’re only at your destination for a limited amount of time. Don’t be afraid to jump into the culture and try new things!