You’ve probably heard it from every from every study-abroad alum you know: the experience can change your life. Living in a brand new culture, learning to adapt to things that are unfamiliar, and traveling around the world can be a challenging yet ultimately amazing and transformational experience. But unfortunately, not all study abroad students make the most out of their adventure. Many programs advertised to American students are located in large, well-known cities which are also hot-ticket destinations for other travelers and as a result, these cities often cater to foreigners. This may reduce your culture shock, but it can also make you feel less like a temporary local and more like a long-term tourist.
If you choose to study abroad, you probably want to soak in the culture rather than just take an extended vacation. If this is the case for you, there are lots of ways to avoid the tourist traps–they just take a little bit of extra effort.
The simplest way to guarantee an authentic experience is to avoid choosing a big tourist hub as your host city altogether. Smaller programs might look less glamorous at first and might also be harder to find, but they are a great way to force you to blend in with the locals. If you go this route, you’ll probably still travel and see the major hot spots, too–so don’t worry about missing out on the Insta-worthy sights!
If you are dead-set on going to a big city, though, you can still have an engaging experience as long as you are willing to find it. A great tip for enhancing your time abroad is to embrace the local language. If you are going to your country specifically to learn a language, use it as much as possible. Language is an integral part of culture, and besides, the best way to learn a new language is to immerse yourself.
If you aren’t studying the language, attempt to learn the basics. It is easy to get by with English in most places, but the locals will appreciate it if you make an attempt to use their language. If English is spoken in your host country, learn about the local dialect and try to speak the way the locals do. Even if all you learn is how to say “good morning” to the barista, it will still go a long way–it makes you stand out from the other tourists, and it will help you feel more connected, too!
As an extension of language, just talk to people (even if you do have to use English for more complex conversations). If your only interactions with locals are to order food or ask for directions, you’re doing it wrong. Whenever you have the chance, strike up a conversation with a cashier, a vendor at the market, your professor, or anyone else who is willing to chat with you (and there’s a good chance that people will just be as curious about talking with you as you are about them!). It is easy to only interact with your classmates and roommates–after all, you have a lot in common–but the locals will have a lot more respect for you if they know you are a student and that you are truly interested in what they have to say.
A great way to find people to talk to is by becoming involved. Many foreign universities have clubs, sports teams, volunteer opportunities, and other ways for you to meet people. Starting up a conversation with a stranger is scary, but arranged activities take away the awkwardness and are a great way to make friends.
Finally, be an observer and slow down. Study abroad is exciting and you may be tempted to travel every weekend, go out to every club in town, and make sure your Instagram is “travel goals.” But study abroad is about much more than what you see on social media if you really choose to make the most of it. You can gain a better understanding of people, learn to adapt to new situations, and become a more well-rounded person overall. So get lost exploring, listen to the people around you, and just sit down and watch the way people live. The average tourist would never do that–and that’s what makes studying abroad so special.