In just a few short weeks, thousands of American college students will be hopping on planes and embarking on the journey of a lifetime. Hoping to play and “study" their way across Europe, my fellow study abroaders are ready to get out there and see what the world has to offer. If you're anything like me, you're hoping that your time in Europe, or wherever you choose to go, will be a cross between the Lizzie McGuire Movie and Eat, Pray, Love. Studying abroad is all about finding yourself, and redefining who you are in a context that is totally unfamiliar to you. I know this all sounds cheesy, but I honestly think it's true. No other time in our lives will we be able to gallivant across the world, in hopes of finding new adventures with people we just met. This is what dreams are made of.

So, here is the definitive bucket list for things you have to do during your time abroad:

Study, but not too hard.

Obviously you're there not just to explore, but also to get some course credit, and learn something new. I'm not saying to devote your whole time to exploring the school's library, but it wouldn't be fun to have your time abroad hurt your GPA.

Speak the language, even if you're bad at it.

If you're going to somewhere where English isn't the native language, try to get some practice in. When that language surrounds you, it becomes a key to survival—you'll either learn it or be left behind. Even the basic phrases can get you by, so make sure you brush up before you leave. The locals will appreciate it, and they'll probably be more inclined to help you, if they see that you're trying to speak to them in their native tongue.

Don't eat the fast food.

When you're short on cash, the McDonalds around the corner from your dorm/hotel/hostel will call your name. DON'T LISTEN. There will always be cheap options for good, local food. Food is one thing that you won't want to skimp on. Most of this food can't be found in America, so take advantage of it while you can. That being said….

Try new foods.

Each country has its own diverse history that led to the unique cuisine you can only experience there. It would be a disservice to yourself if you were to turn your nose up at the local treats, just because they contain ingredients you've never heard of before. You'd be surprised by just how delicious the kibbeling in Amsterdam really is. Be on the lookout for street carts, because those are often the cheapest and most delicious options for students on a budget.

Don't stick to your guidebook.

The best adventures I've ever had, came from the times when my friends and I just walked down random streets in cities that we hardly knew. We ended up finding the coolest pubs to get dinner in, or stores to buy interesting knick-knacks. There is nothing better than making a place "your place". You'll be shocked and a little protective when another group of Americans walks in one day. How dare they come into YOUR bar and try to make friends with YOUR waiter. They need to leave RIGHT NOW.

Find adventure.

If you aren't attached to the guidebook, then you're free to go exploring. You find your way into adventures by letting yourself be open to them. If you have a tight itinerary to follow, chances are you won't get lost and find yourself in a place you never thought you'd be. I once heard that the only way to truly get to know a place is to get completely lost in it for a day. If you can find your way back from wherever you were, you can do anything. ESPECIALLY if the road signs are in a different language. Once you've accomplished that, you're a god.

Fall in love.

I'm not saying that you have to find your soul mate during your time abroad. Be honest with yourself: that person lives on a different continent and you probably won't see them again. Fall in love with the way your city looks at sunset, or on a Sunday morning when no one is awake yet. Fall in love with the fact that you can still hear the music from your favorite café, even if the last time you heard it was months ago. Fall in love with yourself, with the person you become during your time abroad. Or food. Food is always a good choice: it won't leave you or cheat on you.

Allow yourself to grow.

Studying abroad is the experience of a lifetime. You'll either sink or swim. Have enough faith in yourself to know that you'll swim. Bring a journal and be sure to write in it every day. Reflecting on your experiences will allow you to discover things that you never knew about yourself. Imagine reading it in twenty years and being reminded of the person you were, before you got a real job, started paying a mortgage, or any other scary adult thing.

You're about to live in another country for a few weeks or months. You have no idea of what lies ahead of you, but changes are it's going to be even more magical than you ever thought possible.