Thousands of various tools have proven to be incredibly helpful when you are studying, adventuring, or living in a foreign country. As many people are about to set off on their semester abroad, here are some of the best apps, tools, and tricks that I have learned from my experience abroad!
1. Maps.Me
http://uponarriving.com/2015/07/05/the-best-free-travel-app-for-offline-maps/
This app gives you specific directions from place to place without wifi or data! Simply download the map of the city you plan to visit while connected to wifi, and after you have downloaded it, you are able to use the map without being connected to wifi or using data. Personally, this was one of the most helpful apps I used while abroad, and it saved me so much time from trying to figure out how to get around an unfamiliar city.
2. Learn the Language!
No matter where you go, even if you're studying somewhere that speaks your first language, you will encounter having to deal with foreign languages. Don't expect people everywhere to know English! Sure, almost everyone across Europe knows some English, but try to learn the language of the place you're traveling to. It is such an enriching experience to embrace new cultures, and the locals will often appreciate any attempt to speak the language. So take a little notebook with a few key words before you travel!
3. Wrinkle Spray
http://www.containerstore.com/s/laundry/ironing/wrinkle-wiz-spray/12d?productId=10029785
Because traveling often means rolling your clothes into balls, you are bound to have wrinkle clothes from time to time. Personally, I hate wrinkle clothes, but with anti wrinkle spray I could still pack efficiently and smooth out the wrinkles in my clothes! Most sprays come in 100mL or 3.0oz bottles, so they can be packed in your carry on!
4. Take Walking/Biking Tours
If you're going to an unfamiliar city, look up some walking tours before you go! Odds are they can be cheap, and some are even free! These tour guides will give you a layout of the city, and give you some background information you may not have known. Sure it may be a little touristy, but sometimes you have to be!
5. Airbnb or Hostelworld
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hostelworld.app
When planning your excursions, finding a place to stay doesn't have to be difficult! Using these two apps you can find the cheapest get away. I have stayed in both hostels and BnB's, so make sure to check the prices on both before you book! Surprisingly, some BnBs can be cheaper and nicer than hostels.
6. Have Copies of Important Documents
Losing your passport, credit card, debit card, or even license can be a scary thing while studying abroad. Make sure to have a copy or two of each document before you leave, and bring them with you when you travel. Odds are you won't need them, but it's better to be safe than sorry!
7. TAKE PICTURES!
https://shop.gopro.com/EMEA/cameras/
People will tell you that taking pictures of everything takes you away from embracing the moment. Yeah, okay, whatever. If you want to take pictures of your favorite cafe, that cool random statue, or your coffee, just do it! Personally, I think the pictures I took while abroad where the best souvenirs, and every time I look at each picture it takes me back to a moment. Don't let the haters stand in your way, get a good camera before you leave, and document every moment!
8. Make a Study Abroad Bucket List
A semester will be over before you know it, and you will wonder where the last few months went. When you arrive, make a bucket list. Make a list of the top 10 places you want to go in your home country, and top places you want to go abroad. Hang it up, and start knocking them off one by one. Making this list early gives you the chance to plan out your trips to make sure you truly make the most of your time abroad. Trust me, before you know it, you'll be on your plane back home.
9. Ryanair
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ryanair_logo_2013(1).svg
They may not be the most luxurious of airlines, but they always have the cheapest prices. If you're looking to get from point A to point B cheaply, Ryanair is definitely the best airline to use. They have plane tickets for as low as nine euro, insanity right?
10. Embrace Every Experience
Studying abroad can be scary, and you're going to face a lot of your fears. Find the fun in that. Broaden your horizons and take every person or experience you encounter as a way to learn something new. It is a life changing thing to study abroad, so make the most of it!
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