10. Bring extra money for traveling
Don't expect to spend all your time in the city you're studying in. Make sure to make a few excursions to places close by with some of your new friends. These can be the best memories from your trip, and travel will never be as inexpensive as it is while you're abroad. Especially if you're staying in Europe, there are many cheap flights, train tickets and buses to get you where you want to go.
9. Be familiar with cultural differences BEFORE you go
The last thing you want to do is stand out as a foreigner, so learn what to do and what not to do even before taking off. There are plenty of articles about the cultures of different countries. No need to become and expert, just know the common courtesies and maybe even a few phrases. (Parlez-vous anglais?)
8. Always have cash on you
A lot of the stores and machines that give out bus tickets require a card with a chip in it. Unfortunately, we don't have those here in the states, so make sure to always have cash in which case you can go to a ticket counter or just pay cash in store. It also is a great way to keep track of how much you're spending.
7. Get an international credit card
Along with #8, you'll want an international card to withdrawal money. CapitalOne is the company I went through when I was in Norway and it worked perfectly. I could withdrawal money from any ATM in the city and it never charged me for withdrawing. It also gave me great rates which is hard to come by. (Look out for airport exchange prices. They're usually way more than what businesses pay.) Another convenient thing about CapitalOne is that they have you tell them what dates you'll be out of the country and where which lets them make sure that it's you taking the money out and not someone who stole it on their way to Sweden. Granted, don't forget to tell them if you want to take a weekend trip to London or you won't be able to withdraw right away.
6. Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage
SERIOUSLY DO THIS. I flew through a snow storm on my way to Norway and my luggage was stuck in Chicago for a week. I had to buy new underwear and borrow clothes from people on my floor. I didn't even have my adaptors to charge my laptop and tell my parents I had made it home safely. (Thankfully a guy in my building let me use his Facebook). It's hard enough trying to find the nearest grocery store and where your classes are let alone trying to find someplace that sells American-European plug-in adaptors and cheap underwear (harder to find than you'd think in Norway!)
5. Skype
Download Skype on every device you own before you leave. It's the best way for contacting home free and after awhile you'll really start to miss your friends and family.
4. Focus on your studies
You might be saying, "What? The drinking age is 18. I'm going over there to party!" But you can get a lot of good recommendations from Professors and have great opportunities if you participate in more than just the social life. Plus it'll look better if you can say you at least passed all your classes. I'm not saying "don't party," but do you really want to black out every night you're there? You can do that at home. Being hungover will cause you to miss out on a bunch of great opportunities (like walking around the city, seeing the sunrise, hiking, etc.)
3. Bring pictures
Yes we all have Facebook, but there's nothing like holding a picture of you and your best friend when you're homesick. I wasn't homesick at first, but after awhile I just missed everyone (especially my boyfriend and kitty cat) and it was hard to get through. Don't spend all your time missing them though. Go out and wander! You won't be there long, and you'll miss it a heck of a lot more when you go home.
2. Know how you're going to get from the airport to your place of residence
In my case, I had to go pick up keys at the Student Centre then make my way to my dorm. I printed out maps and even asked the bus driver to point out where the stop was. It definitely made it a lot easier. (Especially because it was 7pm, already dark, my luggage didn't show up and it started to rain).
1. Get Lost
Some of the most memorable experiences from my trip abroad is when I walked around the city (in a group and solo). I saw Northern Lights on the horizon one night, found this cool Bokcafe and even got a tan! The best thing about studying abroad is the confidence you have when you come back. Keep in mind that it's the problem solving that gives you your independence and there's nothing you can't get through. It's a truly freeing experience.
Don't expect to spend all your time in the city you're studying in. Make sure to make a few excursions to places close by with some of your new friends. These can be the best memories from your trip, and travel will never be as inexpensive as it is while you're abroad. Especially if you're staying in Europe, there are many cheap flights, train tickets and buses to get you where you want to go.
9. Be familiar with cultural differences BEFORE you go
The last thing you want to do is stand out as a foreigner, so learn what to do and what not to do even before taking off. There are plenty of articles about the cultures of different countries. No need to become and expert, just know the common courtesies and maybe even a few phrases. (Parlez-vous anglais?)
8. Always have cash on you
A lot of the stores and machines that give out bus tickets require a card with a chip in it. Unfortunately, we don't have those here in the states, so make sure to always have cash in which case you can go to a ticket counter or just pay cash in store. It also is a great way to keep track of how much you're spending.
7. Get an international credit card
Along with #8, you'll want an international card to withdrawal money. CapitalOne is the company I went through when I was in Norway and it worked perfectly. I could withdrawal money from any ATM in the city and it never charged me for withdrawing. It also gave me great rates which is hard to come by. (Look out for airport exchange prices. They're usually way more than what businesses pay.) Another convenient thing about CapitalOne is that they have you tell them what dates you'll be out of the country and where which lets them make sure that it's you taking the money out and not someone who stole it on their way to Sweden. Granted, don't forget to tell them if you want to take a weekend trip to London or you won't be able to withdraw right away.
6. Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage
SERIOUSLY DO THIS. I flew through a snow storm on my way to Norway and my luggage was stuck in Chicago for a week. I had to buy new underwear and borrow clothes from people on my floor. I didn't even have my adaptors to charge my laptop and tell my parents I had made it home safely. (Thankfully a guy in my building let me use his Facebook). It's hard enough trying to find the nearest grocery store and where your classes are let alone trying to find someplace that sells American-European plug-in adaptors and cheap underwear (harder to find than you'd think in Norway!)
5. Skype
Download Skype on every device you own before you leave. It's the best way for contacting home free and after awhile you'll really start to miss your friends and family.
4. Focus on your studies
You might be saying, "What? The drinking age is 18. I'm going over there to party!" But you can get a lot of good recommendations from Professors and have great opportunities if you participate in more than just the social life. Plus it'll look better if you can say you at least passed all your classes. I'm not saying "don't party," but do you really want to black out every night you're there? You can do that at home. Being hungover will cause you to miss out on a bunch of great opportunities (like walking around the city, seeing the sunrise, hiking, etc.)
3. Bring pictures
Yes we all have Facebook, but there's nothing like holding a picture of you and your best friend when you're homesick. I wasn't homesick at first, but after awhile I just missed everyone (especially my boyfriend and kitty cat) and it was hard to get through. Don't spend all your time missing them though. Go out and wander! You won't be there long, and you'll miss it a heck of a lot more when you go home.
2. Know how you're going to get from the airport to your place of residence
In my case, I had to go pick up keys at the Student Centre then make my way to my dorm. I printed out maps and even asked the bus driver to point out where the stop was. It definitely made it a lot easier. (Especially because it was 7pm, already dark, my luggage didn't show up and it started to rain).
1. Get Lost
Some of the most memorable experiences from my trip abroad is when I walked around the city (in a group and solo). I saw Northern Lights on the horizon one night, found this cool Bokcafe and even got a tan! The best thing about studying abroad is the confidence you have when you come back. Keep in mind that it's the problem solving that gives you your independence and there's nothing you can't get through. It's a truly freeing experience.
Happy studying and traveling!
