Studying abroad is much more than taking pictures in front of crèpe stands and fantasizing about getting on the back of a cute Italian’s moped. It’s about fully immersing yourself into a different lifestyle, a different language, and a different culture.
As a high school sophomore, I jumped at the opportunity to spend my summer abroad in Malaga, Spain. The next summer I went again. The year after that, I moved to Dublin, Ireland for my first semester of college. And now, I have just returned from a summer in Madrid, Spain.
I’ve had amazing experiences and I’ve had immensely difficult experiences. I’ve learned a lot about the places I’ve visited, the people I’ve traveled with, and as cheesy as it sounds: I’ve learned a lot about myself.
I’ve traveled to over 15 countries, and plan on traveling exponentially more, therefore I consider myself somewhat of a study abroad guru. I look back on my travels with both achievement and remorse: what I wish I did and what I wish I didn't do. Here’s a list of the top 5 I’ve learned about study abroad.
1. Bring less than you need.
I’m not talking about your suitcase (although over packing is a nightmare, so yes- avoid it). I’m talking about your emotional baggage. Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to reinvent yourself. You’re meeting new people, trying new foods, and seeing new places: leave your home life at home, and give yourself the opportunity to travel on a clean slate.
2. Focus.
We all travel for different reasons. Whether it is to do school work, to find love, or to make friends, it’s important to remember what brought you across seas in the first place. Studying abroad is wonderful, but it is also stressful, so in times of chaos, it is vital to remind yourself of why you chose to get on that plane.
3. Recognize how lucky you are.
10 percent of US graduates have studied abroad, and if you happen to be part of that small percentage, take advantage of it. Studying abroad is a privilege, not a right. Although there may be some days you want to curl up in bed and cry to your mom on Skype, it is imperative that you force yourself out onto the streets of whatever beautiful country you have been lucky enough to visit.
4. Check everything off your list.
Don’t board that plane back to America until you’ve done it all. You’ve seen the museums, you’ve kissed the boys with the cute accents, and you’ve taken all the photos your Instagram can handle. Whatever it is, whatever you were searching for abroad, make sure you found it; otherwise you may regret it.
5. Save the memories.
You will forget a lot. You’ll forget how much you loved that adorable man that served you a croissant every morning, you’ll forget the love-hate relationship you developed with the foreign transportation system, and more than anything, you’ll forget how much you loved just sitting and watching people move throughout the city. Take pictures, write down your favorite memories: you have no idea how valuable they are until you come home and begin to miss your life overseas.
As I look back on my past study abroad experiences, and plan for my next ones, these are the reminders I have in the back of my mind. They are lessons I’ve learned through both good and bad times, and they are the key elements that I believe contribute to the happiest and healthiest study abroad experience.
