In the fall of 2015, I set off to the country of Luxembourg for a semester of classes and country-hopping. The one item I always turned to for help was my smart phone. Whether it was for finding my way through unfamiliar countries, paying people back, or keeping in touch with my friends and family back in America, my apps helped me through it all. Throughout my time in Europe, my knowledge of useful apps grew, as my storage space shrunk. The abroad experience is a learning experience in itself, but who's to say you can't have a little help? As much as I did not want to pay too much attention to my phone while I was exploring new places, these apps were there to make my time abroad a little easier and, at times, give me a push in the right direction.

For paying people back: Venmo

Venmo is an app that uses your bank account or debit card to securely pay people back money you owe. While abroad, expenses such as living arrangements on the weekends or meal and grocery tabs become complicated to track and split evenly between groups of people. Venmo makes it easy to pay someone back the exact amount you owe them, without the annoyance of handling cash. ATMs are easy to come by, but some banks charge a fee each time you withdraw money while abroad. Another perk of Venmo is that you can explain what each money request or payment is for. For example, if you owe someone money for a meal they bought you, you can type in the amount they owe and an explanation, such as "for dinner", so they know exactly what the money is for. This makes it easier for both sides to understand the purpose of the payment.

For outside communication: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is an app focused on communication without the SMS charge. If you are like myself and aren't planning to add an international data plan to your line, WhatsApp might be the perfect communication tool for you. Since I have an iPhone, I was able to communicate with other people who have iPhones while I was on Wi-Fi. But, for those who do not own iPhones or know someone who they need to communicate with who do not have an iPhone, this app comes in handy. It works just like normal text messaging, you can even send photos and videos. Just make sure both ends download the app and you will be free to communicate on Wi-Fi to those without iPhones.

For beating the transportation system: Tube Map London Underground

If you are studying abroad in London or plan on taking a trip to London, this app will make your ride on the London Tube that much easier. During my first trip to London, I was visiting my friend's sister who resides in London. With her help, we were able to travel easily on the London Tube, London's popular underground railway system. When my second time to London came around, I was nervous to use the Tube so my roommate let me in on this app. One of the best things about this app is that it can be used with or without an internet connection. When you want to use the Tube, simply search your destination in the app's search bar and a step-by-step guide to your final destination appears. This guide includes which lines on the Tube to take, which stops to get off at and how long it typically takes on each line to get there. A detailed map of the Underground is also available along with the nearest Underground stations.

For your weekend home away from home: Airbnb

If you need a place to stay on the weekends, I suggest Airbnb as the first place you look. While hostels are a common, cheap choice of stay, some houses, apartments and rooms may be at or below the price of a hostel (per person). If you are traveling with a bigger group of people, around 4+, the cost to split an Airbnb may be equal to the price of a hostel, depending on the area. While it may be easier to rent on the Airbnb website, this app is useful for renting on-the-go, something I experienced while abroad. While I was in Barcelona, my group of friends and myself realized our stay at an Airbnb apartment ended a day earlier than we were leaving. This app is useful for those last-minute rentals that you may come across, plus renting on the go may come in handy, as some people rent out their place for a cheaper price if they want to fill the space. I would not suggest waiting until the last minute, but if you come across this situation, you may luck out!

For mouths to feed: Yelp

Part of the fun in exploring a new city or country is coming across those hidden gems, whether it's a cozy restaurant, a unique bar or a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, we all want to say we stumbled upon something great. Unfortunately, sometimes that does not happen. When you're too tired, hungry or thirsty to explore, Yelp is the perfect way to search for exactly what you want with the help of reviews from others who have been there. Sometimes it's nice to have the help of fellow travelers, while still being able to have a well-rounded experience.

Now, there is no need to desperately get ahold of good Wi-Fi while you are abroad to download all the must-have apps. Although there are many apps and tricks you will find along the way, these are a few to get you started and make your traveling experience a little easier and enjoyable in the long run.