For many people, studying abroad is one of the first opportunities they will have for extended international travel. It definitely was for us. After our honeymoon in the Bahamas, we hadn’t planned anymore trips or vacations for quite some time, since I was still in college. But at the end of my junior year, we seized the opportunity to spend five weeks studying together in Italy.
Had it not been for that experience, we wouldn’t be the same people we are today, and we wouldn’t have even dreamed of pursuing a life of full time travel. Our love of art, history, culture, and even traveling itself, were born on that trip. If you aren’t sure about studying abroad, take the leap!
Every study abroad experience will vary, depending on your university, the group you travel with, your destination, and your mindset, and so much more! It will be different for everyone, but whether you have traveled before or not, be prepared! This will be an experience unlike any other.
If you’ve already decided where you’re going, know it will be both challenging and rewarding, but here are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your experience. This is what I wish I had known about our summer abroad.
Learn some of the language before you go.
If you’re traveling to a country that doesn’t speak your native language, take the time to learn a few simple phrases before you go. A smile and hand gestures can only get you a long way, but things will go much better if you can learn a little bit. At the bare minimum learn simple phrase like, hello, yes, no, please, thank you, this one, that one, how much?, where’s the bathroom, and maybe check please.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can learn things like excuse me, I am a student. Do you speak English? or simple expressions like Delicious! or How wonderful! It can really change your whole experience if you can let your server know just how much you’re enjoying the meal!
In a lot of the major cities around the world, many people will know English and choose to speak it with you, but at least making an effort to speak the native language of the country will go a long way with locals. It lets them know that you are trying to be a respectful visitor to their country.
Take time to research the culture.
This should go without saying, but learn what you can about laws, customs, and common practices in your host country. Hand gestures and accepted behaviors aren’t universal. A few minutes on Google can save you the embarrassment of being run out of a gelato shop in Italy because you didn’t pay the extra charge for sitting at the restaurant’s table, or even something far worse.
As a side note, please be especially respectful when partying abroad. Some of the people on our trip weren’t and it was awkward for all of us. Everyone loves to have a good time, but Europe is not a medieval Disney World. As a study abroad student you’re an ambassador for your school and your country. Don’t feed in to the stereotypes.
Get rested before you go. The schedule is jam packed.
This will depend on your specific program, but be prepared for a full itinerary. In our 35 day trip, we had only one day that wasn’t already preplanned with outings, classes, or excursions. Take comfortable walking shoes, and be prepared for burnout. It’s easy for the Renaissance paintings to run together and to feel like once you’ve seen one gothic church, you’ve seen them all.
If you start to notice that you’re getting burned out, take some time to rest and recharge. See if there is an event that you can skip, and do something you were used to doing at home. In Florence, we found an American diner for hamburgers and milkshakes and spent the evening watching movies on our laptop. It really helped us get our enthusiasm back.
Remember too, study abroad is first and foremost education, and it can affect your GPA. You may have homework deadlines and papers to write while you’re still abroad. A lot of our work was due after we returned, but we still had some things we had to get done while we were there.
Rely on your travel group, but don’t be afraid to explore on your own.
Traveling in a group of likeminded people is great for a lot of reasons, especially for first time travelers, but don’t be afraid to get a little lost in your host city. On one hand, it takes so much stress out of the trip when all of your accommodation and transportation is planned for you, and having professors there as guides is amazing! But don’t miss out on experiencing the culture first hand.
If I had any regrets after our trip, it was that we stayed with our group the entire time. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped the group excursion to the Amalfi Coast and booked one myself. Derek and I don’t usually spend the whole day at the beach, but with the group, we didn’t have another option. The next day we split our time between Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius, but we felt like we were rushed at both. Making our own schedule that weekend would have made a big difference in being able to do the kind of traveling that we enjoy.
Wherever you are going, studying abroad will no doubt be one of the best memories you make in school. It’s a unique and incredible experience that is different for everyone. Take a little time to prepare for your trip, and you’re sure to have a great time. If you have any questions about studying abroad, feel free to ask us in the comments below or send us a message on our Contact Page.
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