Getting the chance for studying abroad was one of the best opportunities I could have asked for. However, it was definitely daunting as I had never been to Europe before nor did I know anyone that studied abroad. Here are a few tips I have for studying abroad!
Do Your Research
I did my program in Dublin, Ireland and though I am Irish and had family members visit there I still did not know a ton about it. Before leaving I looked up some places I wanted to go to. There is a ton of websites for this and I also found social media to be super helpful. I was able to find less tourist populated areas that I enjoyed so much. Knowing more about the country made me feel more safe and comfortable about going there.
Say Yes to (Almost) Everything
You’re going to meet and become friends with so many different people who have different interests than you. They are going to ask you to take part in activities that you would not normally do at home. I would recommend going for them! I am from a town really close to Boston, so I didn’t really hike growing up. But when my abroad friends asked me to go on a beautiful hike on the coast of Ireland I said yes! I’m so glad I did. I got to see some sights I had never seen before. Now, hiking is something I want to do here (when the weather is warmer of course).
Start Up Conservations With People
My favorite part about being abroad was meeting people. Irish people were so friendly and loved talking to strangers. On one night out my roommate and I met a movie producer that knew Tom Cruise! We ended up talking to him for over a hour and hear all his stories. It was such a cool and random moment that I will never forget. I really do recommend trying to start conversations, you never know who you might meet.
While there’s so much more I could say about being abroad these a definitely the top tips for going. Being abroad was an unforgettable experience, and one that I will cherish forever. Don’t be afraid to go alone! I was the only person from UNH there and made some friends for life. You will have the best time of your life and be forever grateful!