5 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Study Abroad Trip

Jun 20,2015

Make Local Friends

If you’re going to spend the time and money and effort on studying abroad, you definitely want to make the best of it. Everyone knows that having someone who has the “in” and can take you to all the best restaurants, bars, hangouts, shops, and hip areas is like having your own personal tour guide of the country you’ll be studying in. Making local friends who are there year round and can help you find whatever you need, whenever you need it is a huge bonus. Having friends who grew up on the very streets you’re wanting to explore as much as you can will not only give you the best experience and the most fun, but will also give you the most unforgettable trip, and will definitely help make the most out of it.

2. Change Up Your Travel Partners

As soon as you settle in with your roommates and get the hang of things in whichever country you choose to study in, you’ll be ready to start making weekend travel plans. But, the worst thing you can do is make plans for three or four different trips with only your roommates. Include other people you have met and get along with in the beginning stages of your trip planning. Don’t get stuck going to every destination with the same three or four people who may not end up being compatible travel companions for you, and who might not want to go to all of the same places you do. The greater variety of people you travel with, the more unique travel experiences you’ll have, and more fun to share with more people.

3. Make a Travel Bucket-List and Prioritize It

Everyone has their top two or three destinations, countries, or cities that they will absolutely see during their trip. Make a list with your must-see’s but include your wish list of destinations that are far-fetched or that you know you would enjoy with or without company. Once you make a list, you can prioritize your trips based on cost, events and sights to see, and how much you want to visit. You can also compare your bucket list with others, giving you the perfect opportunity to travel with new friends.

4. Ditch the Diet

Dieting while on vacation is the most unheard of idea ever, so why would you diet while styling abroad? Maybe because this is a pretty extended kind of vacation, and no one wants to return from the states with a second “freshman fifteen.” To make it a win-win situation, don’t limit yourself from enjoying sweets and local culture that might not be as healthy, but don’t sit around in your spare time either. Being active and exploring on foot, or by bike, will help justify that weekly gelato and let you indulge a little. On the other side, switch up your meals and keep your taste buds on your toes by trying new things like local produce, salads, and light snacks.

5. Stay Home For a Weekend

One of the many benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to travel to other countries on the weekends, but there is something to be said about “staying in” for the weekend. Instead of skipping town, enjoy the country you picked to live in for the semester during the weekend too. Without the stress of class or work that the week brings, explore your new home town and get to know what it’s like during the weekend too, and not just the hustle and bustle that you see all week long. You don’t want to return to the states after a semester abroad and regret not spending enough time in the country you chose to study in.