Basic Tips For Studying Abroad

By Zanié Nibblins on August 21, 2017

Going abroad can be exciting; you have an opportunity to see how the rest of the world lives and works. Think of it as taking a vacation but having to take some tests here and there.

The pros of studying abroad definitely outweigh the cons, especially if you’ve prepared well enough. Here are some basic tips for studying abroad.

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Before your trip:

1. Make sure you’ve spoken to your advisor about which classes are best for you to take while abroad. You don’t really want to study hard while you’re experiencing life.

2. Find scholarships so the money you’d spend on tuition ends up getting spent on your trip! There are literally scholarships dedicated to students studying abroad.

3. Get your paperwork done WAY ahead of time. Don’t wanna be stressin’ right before your big trip.

4. Create lists — packing, places to visit, to do, etc.

5. Speaking of packing list, pack very light. You’ll want to take the whole country home with you.

6. Research research research! Try to be up-to-speed with everything about your host country. (i.e. most common crimes committed, religious practices, holidays celebrated, currency used, etc.). There’s no such thing as too much information.

7. If you have the option, sign up to live with a host family. You’ll save a lot more from eating out all the time, learn their language and traditions, and even learn tips or ideas that they have to offer about their city. If they cook, you’ll also get to eat homemade, authentic cuisine! Trust me, these basic tips for studying abroad are vital.

On your trip:

1. Go out as often as possible. If not, you might regret the time you wasted.

2. Eat nowhere else but authentic restaurants. McDonald’s and Chipotle will always be home. Try the local food; I bet you’ll think it’s the best food you’ve ever eaten.

3. Shop nowhere else but the country/city’s shops. When you’re back home and someone asks where you got your awesome shoes, you’ll have so much pride in telling them they’re almost exclusive. You might even have a story to tell!

4. Take as many pictures as you can. Sometimes you may not want to seem like a tourist, but please take those pictures. Pictures keep memories alive. Even if it’s just a picture of someone’s long fingernail, you’ll appreciate that picture when you go back home.

5. Try to travel to other countries. I know that in Europe it’s cheap as hell to travel. There are super cheap airlines like Vueling or Ryanair, and you can visit so many places for $100 or less round trip.

6. Live. And I mean LIVE. Party until 7 a.m. Eat those foods that look disgusting. Because you may never have the opportunity to study abroad again, every bit of it will be worth it.

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