Leaving the country on my own for the first time, I was bound to make a lot of mistakes – and believe me, I did. I got lost on public transit, had to pay for overweight bags and was humbled many times when I did not speak the native language. If it weren’t for those mistakes, I would have never learned how to turn my three-month vacation into a second home.
Now that I have returned to the United States, I look back fondly on the life I built as a resident. I see each day as trial and error in the most life changing college experiment, also known as study abroad. As a result, I reflect on the biggest takeaways I have from my time abroad in hopes it can ease future student travelers’ experiences.
TRAVELING DOES NOT NEED TO BE EXPENSIVE
There is a misconception that when you study abroad you should visit a new country every weekend or you did not maximize your time abroad. That is not only exhausting, but also expensive.
On my first weekend trip I took a train to visit Bologna and Venice. While visiting, I was fascinated how each region of Italy brought its own cuisine and culture which I would not have realized had I left to a different country. The best part was I only had to take a quick train that was much cheaper than a flight to get there. Not to mention that you can bring as many bags as you’d like for free, avoiding budget airlines strict baggage policies.
Throughout the week there is also an abundance of affordable (sometimes even free!) local events to find at your home base. In Italy, Smart Trip is the company you want to be following for these events! From bottomless wine dinners to weekly karaoke bingo and delicious free food crawls, you won’t regret attending any of their events. They also have the sweetest staff that bring the energy to every event!
My experience traveling on a budget has inspired my future travels to not have such extravagant expectations but to instead find joy in the simpler options. It has also inspired me to discover more new spots near my actual home base that I previously took for granted.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD IS REAL.
Europeans do not wear sweats, at least not while in public. Therefore, I made it my goal while in Europe never to start my day in loungewear like I typically would in the United States.
While this felt like a hassle at first, it significantly increased my productivity exponentially. Since I was ready to take on the day soon after I woke up, it meant I never had to delay plans to get dressed. Each day I would begin my mornings exploring the city or visiting a new cafe. I never missed a chance to make a memory.
Now that I am home I have continued the same routine. I wake up, get dressed, then begin my day feeling my best. It is a small change that takes a bit more effort but leaves me more prepared for the day ahead of me.
REGULAR STATUS = ULTIMATE REWARD
In the United States, if you are a regular you may get a smile or greeted with a brief, surface-level conversation. In Italy, that hospitality would be seen as the bare minimum. Once you become a regular in Europe, you become family. I did not realize the significance this held until I became a regular myself.
Every Wednesday night, my roommate Christine and I would enter our favorite local bar, Virgin Rock like clockwork. Immediately after we opened the door, the owners would smile and wave hi then begin to take our order. We shared conversations about our latest weekend trips, they told us their journey from customers to owners of the bar and we said cheers over many goodbye shots.
Each night spent at Virgin Rock did not feel like a convenient stop for a cheap drink but instead like a glimpse into what life as a local would be like. I take this experience with me as a lesson for the happiness that stems from consistency. I not only hope to build relationships as a regular in the states but spread that same hospitality that makes others feel as though they are family.
When I look back on my study abroad experience, the one thing I cherish the most is that I do not have any regrets. I would choose to spend the money, sacrifice the sleep, and put myself out there all over again. So, if you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: say yes to everything. The world is out there, it’s waiting for you to see it.