It has officially been about a year
since my most recent experience living abroad and exactly four years since I
studied abroad. So far in my life I have experienced two separate study abroad
experiences and a stint teaching English overseas. With each adventure I have
learned more and more how to improve my experience. The following are some of
the best travel tips that I have encountered along the way!
Get Excited
First and foremost ….GET EXCITED!
One of the best things about traveling abroad is the pre-departure preparation
and anticipation, and I don’t mean the required pre-departure sessions
(although those are very important and you should definitely attend them). J What I mean is take
some time and research on your own about where you are going. One of my
favorite things to do before I travel, whether it be for study abroad or
shorter trips, is looking up information about the region. Everything from fun touristy
places to interesting facts. I even look to see if someone has created YouTube
videos or a blog about where I am going. I promise, it makes a difference!
I can’t tell you how exciting it is
and how happy it makes you feel when you witness what you have read about first
hand. Like when I studied in Spain I was able to travel through the south of
Spain and experience the incredible processions, which I had discovered during
my pre-departure research, during Semana Santa (Holy Week). I probably wouldn’t
have known about the celebrations, or that the southern region of Spain was especially
known for their festivities if I had not taken the time to look into the
culture and traditions beforehand. 
Less Is More
After
you finalize your trip and learn more about the culture there is one more act
of preparation that has to take place, packing. Packing can be a difficult and
frustrating process that varies greatly depending on the person and the
adventure. All I can say is that no matter which trip I have been on I have
been SO grateful to have a father who forced me to pack light. Less is so much
more when it comes to packing! I know you want to bring every one of your
favorite items, but I promise you those objects will soon become a burden when
you have to trek up a hill or across cobble stone streets lugging that huge
suitcase. Use that time during your research about the region to look up blogs,
or even seek out previous students who studied in a similar location, to learn
more about what you should pack. Also look into the resources that you might
have where you are going. When I lived in Madrid I tended to bring less knowing
that there is an incredible amount of shops where I can find inexpensive and
unique clothing that I would love. Oh, and Spain is the home of Zara…. enough
said!
Relajate and Slow
Down
So after all the preparation and planning
you are finally abroad! Now what? One thing I found during my time abroad is that
students tend to get caught up in the planning of trips in the hopes of
cramming in as many locations as possible. That’s great, but have you actually
experienced that culture if you spend one day in each city? If you truly want
to travel and experience new cultures relax and stop planning so much.
One of the reasons I had such an
amazing study abroad experience is I truly felt like I could call Spain and
more specifically Madrid home while I was there. Yes I travelled a lot, but
more importantly, I made sure to simply live and experience life in my new
home. That is why I fell in love with Madrid and returned to live there after
graduating college. It is also why when I travel I make sure to allow myself
plenty of time in each city so that I can experience life in the region away
from plans and tours.
Back Back Back It Up
Traveling
is a very unpredictable experience so one of the most important things you can
remember to do is back everything up! Back up your pictures on your phone your
camera, your go pro, and your laptop. You never know what’s going to happen.
You might, unfortunately, lose your camera or drop your phone in water, or the
worst of all encounter the world champion of pick pocketing. I have heard many
a story about students and friends who lost thousands of priceless pictures
because they forgot or put off backing them up.
Treat Yo Self
As a
student or as an expat I was definitely living on a budget, like many others I
know. Traveling and living on a budget, especially in Western Europe, can be
difficult. I understand skimping out on certain luxuries. Yet, I would
definitely recommend you treat yo self and splurge every once in a while.
For example, while studying and
living in Spain I had the opportunity to go to some Real Madrid and Atletico
soccer games. Anyone who has talked to me for longer than forty-five minutes knows
that I have played soccer my entire life and am slightly obsessed (HALA MADRID).
So I splurged, and I bought some incredible tickets (a little outside my price range)
to go see Real Madrid play Atletico in the Bernabéu stadium. Those games were
some of my favorite and most memorable experiences. I know it sounds cheesy but
they were lifelong dreams and they were absolutely worth the expense. Every
person has their version of my soccer obsession. Don’t be afraid to let
yourself enjoy the finer things every once in a while. If you are a foodie, go
to the nice restaurant and experience the culinary delights. If you have always
wanted to ride the fast train in a sleeper car, do it!
Treat
yo self also means take care of yourself! I get it, studying abroad is a once
in a life time experience so you want to pack everything into the limited time
you have. But, trust me, when you end up getting sick due to lack of sleep and living
off of junk food you will miss out on so much more than if you had taken the
time to get a decent meal and sleep those extra few hours. Also, I get that in
most foreign countries the legal drinking age is 18, maybe even younger, but
trust me when I say excess drinking and going out will leave you lying in bed
and missing out on so many incredible experiences. So, go out, have fun, and
stay busy, but remember to listen to your body and find a balance.
Keep In Touch
I know
that while you are abroad, you are a hot commodity and are busy with your crazy
travels, but make sure to keep in touch with those back home. Something as
simple as a postcard or an email goes a long way. It took a lot to get you
overseas, so be grateful and make sure to not only thank those who supported
you but also let them know it is worth all of the effort and work it took to
get you there.
When it
comes to talking to people at home it is important to keep in touch but don’t overdo
it, if you know what I mean. You want to stay in contact but don’t spend your
entire experience abroad texting and emailing family and friends at home.
Nowadays, especially in Western Europe, it is easy to have phone plans and apps
so that you can be in contact with people in the U.S. 24/7. I learned first-hand
that this constant contact will prevent you from settling in to your new life
and actually lead to homesickness and sometimes FOMO (fear of missing out). I
know it is easy to say and hard to do, but those who love and care about you
will always be there and this is your time to meet new people and experience
new things. So keep in touch….some.
But….Also Take Time to
Reflect
Traveling
abroad is one of the greatest teachers you will ever have in life. Every day
and every adventure is full of lessons. Something as simple as figuring out the
transportation system can teach you about yourself and your capabilities. During
my travels I gained an understanding of life and myself that allowed me to grow
personally and gain a confidence that benefited my college career when I
returned to the University of Arkansas. So take the time to reflect on your
experiences and learn from what you have done and what you have learned from
the different cultures.
Earlier
I touched on backing up your pictures and videos well it is also helpful to
back up your experiences and revelations that you experience abroad. Do you
think six years later you will remember the amazing conversation you had with
the random old man in the cafeteria on a Tuesday afternoon? Probably not. Journaling
while abroad is such a great way to not only reflect on your many once in a
life time experiences while abroad, but it also record them so that you can
remember them for years to come.
Get Off the Beaten
Path
In
order to have the unique and once and a life time experiences to reflect on you
need to get out there! Tourist attractions are great! I love to go to the
museums and the famous places, but it is also important to get off the beaten
path. Trust me, when you finally take the plunge and find your first incredible
hole in the wall restaurant you will not want to get back on the path.
Take Everything In
And Enjoy!
Most
important of all, keep an open mind and take it all in! The opportunity to
travel abroad, for many students, is once in a lifetime. Be open to meeting people and learning about different cultures
and lifestyles. The beauty of travel is getting to interact with people from
all walks of life with all different opinions on life.
--For more tips on how to prepare for your study abroad program check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/prepare
