A semester abroad has the potential to be the greatest experience throughout your college career. Through all the applications, deadlines, and meetings, here is a list of tips I wish I had when I was applying.

1. Get your classes sorted out as soon as you possibly can

I can't stress this enough. No matter how soon you start the process, it won't be soon enough. While it's different at every school, most processes are similar. I was told to go on my host university's website and find classes I wanted to take. I read through pages and pages of descriptions trying to match them to a requirement I needed to check off. I met with advisors day in and day out for weeks trying to come to an agreement about what would actually count.

Tip: If your school doesn't already have a master list, encourage your international office to create one. Having a list of courses students have taken in the past and what they equal back at home would have made the process so much easier.

2. Research before you get there

When it comes to moving to a new country for a few months, ignorance is not appreciated. You should understand their currency and the exchange rate back home. Look into whether or not your host country drives on the opposite side of the road. No matter how much you prepare yourself to look right and then left, it'll still take some getting used to. Look into the public transportation system since it will most likely be your best friend. There's nothing worse than stopping in the middle of a sidewalk or train station to check your app or look at a map. Try and understand where you're going before you've left to make it easier on yourself. If you're studying in a country where a different language is spoken, do your absolute best. You can't expect that everyone will speak English, so you'll have to at least try.

3. Figure out everything that is included at your host university

You'll want to know if sheets, pillow cases, towels, etc. are included before you leave. If they are, wonderful! If they aren't, try ordering them online from your country's Amazon to be delivered to you at school so you don't have to add it into your already full suitcase. You'll also want to know what the food situation is like. We take our terrible meal plans for granted at home, but when you're not making any money for four months, you're going to want to eat that dining hall food as often as you can. If a meal plan isn't included in your tuition, you're going to need to set aside a food budget. Look into buying a pot, pan, and basic utensils and make note of how close you are to the kitchen.

4. Don't pack for four months

Believe it or not, they'll have washers and dryers in your host country. Use them. Usually, your first checked bag is free. A second bag or an overweight bag will cost you. I'd suggest bringing at least two weeks worth of socks and underwear so you don't have to do laundry every week. Pack essentials and understand that you'll want to fit in with the regulars. You'll end up buying some clothes from your host country that will make you feel like you fit in more. Don't over pack.

5. Plan your weekend trips as soon as you can

The closer you get to the weekend, the more expensive your trip will be. Once you know when spring break is, start making plans! Look at flights, trains, and buses because you'll be surprised where you can find the best deal. If you do want to take a last minute trip, go to https://www.skyscanner.net/ and enter your departure location with "everywhere" as your destination. You'll find the cheapest flights for the dates you've selected and maybe you'll end up going somewhere you hadn't planned on! For cheap places to stay, check out https://www.airbnb.com/ and make those reservations!

6. Go exploring on your own

Of course you'll want to take trips with friends and experience these things together, but there's nothing wrong with exploring on your own. Sometimes a day on your own exploring your city is exactly what you need to really feel at home. When you're on your own, you have no choice but to learn how to navigate and get around. You'll be on your own schedule and you don't need to worry about ticking everything off someone else's list too!

7. Know your budget before you've left

Talking about money is never fun. But before you leave, make sure you've talked to your parents about how much money you have available to you and if they'll be helping with your costs at all. If a meal plan is not included, set aside a special budget for food and cooking. You'll also want to set a budget for traveling to keep your spending down. You'll be amazed at how inexpensive some of these trips can be!

8. Bring your acceptance letter on all your weekend trips

Having that letter with you at border control makes the process a whole lot faster. They'll see an American passport and start the rounds of questions. Once you present them with the acceptance letter, they may ask what courses you're taking, but that's about it. It's proof that you're supposed to be there and that you aren't making up some four-month vacation to another country.

9. Get out of your comfort zone

Step one was even accepting the opportunity to go to another country on your own. But that was the hard part! Now take some real risks! Climb the 287 stairs in the super narrow Scott Monument in Scotland despite the fear of heights. Hike a tough mountain in Italy and enjoy the view! Go paragliding in Switzerland (sorry mom!).

10. Meet people from your host country

It's easy to stick with what you know. You'll meet plenty of study abroad students and you'll bond over this new experience. But make sure you meet people who are from your host country too! They'll have tips and tricks for the best places to go that no one will tell you. You can learn a lot from them about what to expect during the upcoming semester.

11. Meet people from back home

Knowing people from your host country is fantastic, but something tells me I won't be flying to see them on the weekends when I'm home (but I'll start buying lottery tickets). You'll share a different bond with the people you meet while studying abroad and you'll find that some of them go to school closer than you thought and you'll be planning visits before you know it!

12. Don't get too comfortable

You should feel at home, don't get me wrong. But don't get so used to living in your host country that you forget you're only there for a set amount of time. Your time abroad will end, no matter how much you wish it wouldn't. It will fly by and before you know it, you'll be trying to plan your next trip back. Don't get so comfortable that you stop exploring and enjoying every day.

13. Do not be an obvious American

If you've learned about your host country well enough, you'll be the one giving directions, not asking for them. Don't constantly walk around town with a backpack and make yourself a target. The more you blend in, the better.

14. Oh yeah, go to class

You might find that the attendance policy is much more lenient in your host country. Don't let that stop you from going to classes. After all, you did accept the offer to study abroad.