What I thought would be five homesick weeks in Germany actually turned out to be five adventurous weeks that flew by in front of my eyes. I studied abroad in a small town called Duisburg, Germany and I was unsure what my time there would entail. What I experienced was pure enlightenment. I met many people, talked with people from all over the world and experienced many different cultures and traditions. As I toured the country with the rest of the program I realized five important tips that others could benefit from when getting ready to study abroad. Here are five things you can do to prepare for one of the most eye-opening experiences of your life:

1. Sometimes the less you speak the more you learn.

I don’t talk a lot but I can definitely dominate a conversation or a classroom discussion. However, by talking less and listening more I was able to learn more about the people I was living with, the community I was staying in and the history ingrained in the country. I more acutely realized the small but important things in life that at times people take for granted.

2. Don’t forget about your family.

There was a nine hour difference between my family and I which made it hard to keep in contact with each other. However, it was important to remember them, remind them I was having fun and that I missed them. Sometimes it’s harder for parents to see their children go off abroad than going yourself.

3. Accept people for who they are.

When studying abroad you meet a lot of different people. You encounter people with different behaviors, accents, cultures and clothing. Even the people you are living with or the ones in your class are going to behave and perceive the world differently than yourself. Accept people for who they are and how they want to explore. Some people like to stay out and enjoy the night life and some like to enjoy the morning scenery, whatever it may be, let them do them.

4. Take less pictures.

Don’t get me wrong, you have to take pictures while studying abroad! However, don’t get so consumed trying to take the pictures that you forget to actually witness the monument, scenery or whatever it is. When everyone else is taking pictures try just watching, you may see something you might have otherwise never saw.

5. Be free.

While studying abroad I traveled to different cities with my roommate and friends and with a map and one backpack in tow we aimed to explore freely. Be free, do something you would never do, and make friends. Don’t worry about anything else other than the wind in the air and cobblestone street under your feet.

Keep these tips in mind when preparing to study abroad. Especially when participating in a short term exchange, I wish I would’ve realized some of these ideas sooner as time flies faster than you can imagine while abroad. Also, come up with your own tips to pass on to classmates and friends.