Study Abroad Q&A

Have an amazing time in London, Mary! 

Having spent two of the best semesters of my life abroad, it can be easy to forget all the fear and questions I had before stepping foot on that first plane to Spain. Now that my baby sister is getting ready to head to England this semester, it felt like a good time to reflect on my experiences and help her bypass all the awkward, anxious moments. Here were my best answers to her questions: 

Q: Is it worth putting your entire life on hold for? 
A: After spending two semesters abroad, a lot of people wanted to know whether it was worth the setback to my career, education and relationships. The truth was that without a doubt it was the best time of my life and it was worth everything I “put on hold”. I connected with new people, new cultures and got to see the world in a new way. I traveled to find myself and what made me happy. It can help you figure out if you’ve got the right major, if there’s something you never knew you were passionate about, and can help you look at life past college.

Q: What kind of bag should I get?
A: To be honest, that’s a very personal and unique decision. I love my rolling Eddie Bauer bag, but I can’t tell you that bag will be perfect for you. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the bag, which we talk about HERE. The biggest tip is to make sure it can fit in the overhead compartment. That way you’ll never have to pay fees to check your bag. You can find that information online or ask whoever you’re buying your bag from to check that the dimensions hold up.

Q: How do you know if you’re making the right decisions about participating in new experiences?
A: When it’s your first time in a new country, it’s easy to feel like you need to participate in everything in order to make the most of your time abroad, but that’s not always the case. As we talked about in one of our last blog posts, there is no right or wrong way. Not wanting to go out and do something doesn’t make you a “weenie”. If what you need to make the most of your experience is downtime, then take it. But I do highly encourage you to step out of your comfort zone every now and then because that’s the best way to really grow through your experience and make new friends. ​

Q: How do you make semester long friendships?
A: It can be hard to make friends when you know there’s a chance you won’t see them again after your semester is finished. The nice thing about study abroad is that everyone is in the same boat where they want to make friends because everyone is feeling a bit like a fish out of water in this new experience. This is your chance! You don’t have to make each other friendship bracelets and promise to be BFFs, you just need to find people you can connect with.

Find friends who can support you through the highs and lows of study abroad, who can be your go to travel buddy when you want to explore the city or take a weekend trip.  I’m not best friends with the majority of people I studied abroad with, but I do keep up to date with what they’re doing, and if they’re nearby, we try to catch up. These are people you’ll spend a very unique and formative semester with, so really make the most of that unique bond you can only form through an experience like this. ​

Q: How do you know if you’re packing right?
A: Biggest tip I can give you: remember that you’re the one who has to lug your suitcases through the airport, on the bus (if you’re lucky and don’t have to use public transport) and into your room. I don’t know that you can actually know if you’re packing right. I think no matter what you pack, you’re going to forget something, realize that there’s something you need that you never thought of, or just want something different that you’re going to feel like buying. Trust me, when you’ve been wearing the same 5 t-shirts for two months, you’re going to get a little tired of them. Also, remember that you will accumulate things, so account for that when packing and leave yourself a little extra room (aka don’t pack 10 pairs of shoes). Pack neutrals, pack light, lay your clothes out in advance and do a “practice pack”  and know that you can pretty much buy anything you need when you get to your destination. ​

Q: How do you come back and reacclimate?
A: This was the biggest challenge for me when I  got back from an amazing semester abroad. It’s hard to go from exploring the streets of a new city, spending afternoons at coffee shops with new friends chatting about different life perspectives to being back on campus in your little bubble. For me, the key to readjusting was to take what made me happiest abroad and implementing it back into my routine at home. Loved meeting new people from all over the world? Join an international club or volunteer to help with international students. Loved traveling and exploring new places? Think about volunteering abroad post graduation or looking for careers that can take you to international places. ​

Q: How do I balance school and fun?
A:  It can be really easy to go from one extreme or the other. I know people who skipped class all the time and never studied because they were always out late or traveling. While it’s important to experience things while abroad and get to know the local culture, it’s important to remember that you are there for school. On the other hand, don’t spend all of your time abroad in the library or shut up in your room studying. Make sure to take time to experience your new home. Just like when you’re home, make sure to spend a few hours a day reviewing your notes, studying for exams, etc., then make an effort to put the books down and spend a few hours getting lost, meeting new people, taking in the local culture (and cuisine...plus a beer never hurt anyone). ​

Q: How do I stay safe while abroad?
A: I really look at safety abroad just like I would if I was going to a big city in the U.S. (although there’s a good chance it might be safer). It’s easy to feel less comfortable abroad because of potential differences in language or culture that make you feel more disoriented and more aware of issues. If you went to a new city in the  U.S. would you walk around alone at night? No? Then chances are you probably shouldn’t do it somewhere else. My biggest tip is to use common sense. Don’t put yourself in a risky situation, use the buddy system, be alert. 

Study up on the safety in your area or the cities you’re traveling to. I knew pickpocketing is a lot more common in cities like Barcelona. So when I was there, I kept an extra eye out on my belongings. Also,  keep up to date on current events, always let your family, friends, advisors (any or all of the above) know when you’re going out of town and follow any safety advice your university gives you. 

Study abroad in a new culture can be stressful, and it’s normal to have questions and doubts. Hopefully these answers will help you go into your semester with an open mind, ready to explore all this experience has to offer. Enjoy the little things and take it all in because you’ll be headed home in the blink of an eye.