If you're like me and preparing to embark on your once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying abroad in Europe, whether for a semester or more, then you know how challenging it can be trying to get yourself in order before departure. With pending travel documents, draining pockets, unfinished financial aid applications, costly airfares and current semester coursework, it's certainly a challenge, but we need to remember that there are people who have come before us and have had these same struggles and overcome them.
So, with pleasure, I have tracked them down and juiced them out of every piece of advice that could possibly be helpful to any future study abroad-er. Here are some of their responses:
Do your independent travels using low cost air and bus lines like RyanAir, Megabus and StudentAgency. Also, try as much possible to stay in hostels during your trips to save money.
- Sarah Barrios, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2016, Italy
Don't be a tourist , become a local. Integrate yourself within the community to make the best of your experience.
- Juan Carlos Ramirez, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2016, Italy
Keep a travel journal. You go through so much change during your experience and you will appreciate taking account of your personal growth through writing. Plus, it will be a great thing to look back at in the future.
- Paola Larios, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2016, Italy
Be aware that the culture and lifestyle of the people, depending on where you are, will be different from what you might be used to. Be open-minded and don't be afraid to adjust and adapt.
- Natalie Gonzalez, UTSA Interior Design. Spring 2016, Italy
Don't be afraid to attempt to speak the local language to locals and be open to any corrections. There's no better way to learn a foreign language than try.
- Mitchell Crossey, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2016, Italy
Make friends outside your group. You didn't travel all this way to go back with the same number of friendships. Study abroad is a great opportunity to create new international networks.
- Tony Davila, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2016, Italy
Don't be afraid to venture on solo travels. Everyone might not be interested in going to the same places as you, and you shouldn't let that restrain you. Just be careful.
- Carmelo Pereira, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2014, Italy
Always carry cash. Most of the places you come across on a daily basis usually run on cash and just a few places accept credit card.
- Marco Cortes, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2016, Italy
Don't be afraid of anything, remember you don't know when are you going to be back in the same place. Live each day of your travel with no regrets and take advantage of your time abroad. Talk to everyone you won't believe how incredible people can be and how every soul you run into during your travel will impact your life. Open your eyes always and lose yourself in places. Remember, "All the roads lead to Rome."
- Elsa De Leon, UTSA Architecture. Spring 2015 + Summer 2016, Italy
Calm down your pre-departure jitters people! We're in for the best ride of our lives!
