5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad

If you are anything like me, traveling abroad is something you have thought about for a long time. Foreign accents, fresh baked goods, and rich coffee. As I am still in school, traveling abroad through a study abroad program felt like the perfect opportunity. So, I got in contact with my school’s International Programs Office, and the rest is history. When everything had lined up, it felt like a dream come true. That is exactly how I felt before I left for my trip, and while it was a dream, there are a few things that I learned that would have made my trip just a little bit more special. Here are the five things that I would tell someone who is about to study abroad for the first time.

1. Don’t Overpack

When planning your trip abroad, it’s easy to picture yourself in lavish outfits, with the most fashionable pieces you own filling your suitcases. You might think that packing two suitcases full of things will be perfectly fine. Let me tell you, I strongly feel that less is more. It is important to note that many areas abroad do not have the same accessibility as you are acclimated to. When I went abroad last summer, I brought two large suitcases as well as a smaller bag to carry. I figured it would be worth the extra hassle to bring extra clothes along. After some long nights bumping my suitcases along brick roads and manually carrying each suitcase up multiple flights of stairs, I do not think it to be worth it anymore. I recommend packing staple pieces: some neutral items that you can mix and match, rather than planning multiple outfits that only go with one other item of clothing.

    2. Make a Budget Before Departing

While it is a given that you will have to spend money while you are abroad, I advise you to at least keep track of how much you are spending. It won’t feel like you are spending much – a few coffees here, a couple of dinners there, but I promise these small tabs add up. My recommendation is to have an amount of money that you would be comfortable with spending and divvying up how much you would like to allocate on what for however long you are going to be abroad. This absolutely does not mean that you cannot go on extra excursions, or make the most of your time abroad, it is simply allowing yourself the extra money to do so. 

    3. Don’t Expect Everything to go to Plan

Even the people who have detailed itineraries experience difficulties when traveling. You can’t expect the rest of the world to follow your exact itinerary, but you can have a positive mindset about it. On various occasions throughout my time studying abroad, the itinerary had to be updated for various reasons. Either the destination was closed for a holiday we had not accounted for, the weather was unallowing, or we were unknowingly headed towards Abbey Lane instead of Abbey Road (read my last post for context). Regardless of the reason, it is essential that you hold a positive attitude and roll with the punches. If you do not get to experience something while you are there, you can always go back a second time. 

    4. It is Normal to Miss Home

When you are planning on studying abroad sentences like, “I am so jealous,” or “We hope you come back” seem to make their way into almost every conversation. While studying abroad is something that is absolutely worth participating in, it is completely normal to experience FOMO from back home while abroad. I remember getting back to my hostel after sightseeing in Paris and calling my mom to check in on her. She was telling me about some seemingly ordinary day that they had – work, dinner at our favorite restaurant, and a relaxing night watching The Voice. I remember feeling so odd for wanting to be with them that night. There I was, in the middle of Paris after seeing the Eiffel Tower, and I wanted nothing more than to go back to Texas and watch The Voice with my family. While these moments did pass, it is imperative to remember that you are going to miss home. Do not feel guilty for it. 

    5. Sometimes the Best Moments Are the Small Ones

When thinking of famous travel destinations, such as Paris, London, etcetera, we often associate the great landmarks with being the main attractions. While sightseeing is an amazing experience, some of my favorite moments were so ordinary. I absolutely loved learning different phrases as I entered new countries, I loved trying different local cafes, and I especially loved my nighttime routine every night. Studying abroad does not always need to be Go! Go! Go! In fact, enjoying the seemingly miniscule moments can, at times, be more rewarding than some of the objectively larger experiences.

If I could do it all over again, I would remind myself of these five things. While going abroad can be stressful and unnerving at times, the ability to experience new cultures supersedes any negative emotion that arises. Studying abroad is one of the best things that I have experienced, and I hope that these recommendations not only encourage you to look into going abroad yourself, but that they will make that trip just a little bit easier. Thank you for reading Julia Wanders, and I hope that you continue to “Wonder With Me.”