If you're going to study abroad any time soon, I'm sure you're going to be told a lot before you go and when you get there, whether it's information seminars, orientation, or your parents and professors. I'm sure their advice is great and will come in handy, but here are a few extra little insights you might want to know as well for your upcoming adventure.

1. You will get asked for directions

It’s flattering when you think about it, because it means you blend in with the locals and give off a sense of confidence. But all that goes away if you have no idea what to tell them. Sorry, sir, I am not sure where the nearest gas station is. I, too, am lost most of the time.

2. You start to pick up parts of the language

And you might bring some of it back with you. So sorry to my friends and family if I accidentally say “Cheers” or ask where the “toilet” or “lift” is. I guess there’s still a little bit of England in me. Just embrace learning parts of different languages or new parts of ones you already know. It's culture and it's good for you.

3. You may think you overpacked, but you didn’t

On the way over to your abroad destination, your suitcase is going to be stuffed to the brim and nearly overweight and you’ll begin thinking you’ve over packed. Don’t panic, because you didn’t! You’re going to wish that you could’ve shoved your entire closet into a suitcase, but luckily for you there are always shops to help you out along the way if you run into a fashion crisis.

4. Strategic packing is important

I firmly believe there should be a course offered in college on how to properly and effectively pack a suitcase. Thankfully there are loads of YouTube videos out there to help you out a bit as you attempt to squeeze your life into a suitcase. Bundle packing is shown to work well, but my personal favorite is the roll method.

5. You’re going to meet people from all walks of life

You’ll meet other people in your program. You’ll meet locals. You’ll probably meet other travelers. These are all people you could be potential friends with during your time abroad and maybe even when you get back home. Yes, they may be different than what you’re used to back home, but embrace it and make friends. Studying abroad alone would be so boring otherwise.

6. You’ll start to grow accustomed to the food

But you also miss hometown favorites and you may spend days trying to hunt some down. Believe it or not, other countries also have their own versions of junk food when you get those late night cravings. When you come home, you may find yourself missing and craving your favorite study abroad eats.

7. Hygiene is not the same globally

You might begin to question whether or not deodorant even exists where you are... or soap for that matter. And depending on where you are in the world, it may be more rare to come by. However, though that wasn't the case for me in Europe, I began to wonder why I would constantly be smelling other peoples B.O. so often.

8. Things aren't as cheap as America

First off, be aware of the exchange rate. Second, things can be much more expensive depending on where you are ,so keep an eye out for deals as you travel. Money will fly out of your pocket faster than you can count to three if you don't keep track as you go and stay on the look out for cheap stuff.

9. Alcohol is stronger

It's also sometimes cheaper, so that's a plus...and maybe a negative for your liver. Beer and wine are sometimes the poor man's answer when it comes to finding a drink to quench that thirst. Sometimes it even costs the same as water. Crazy, I know. When drinking abroad, be aware that it will likely be stronger than what you're used to.

10. Document your adventure somehow

You'll want something to look back at in the future. Channel your inner creativity and figure out a way to document your trip. It could be taking at least one video a day and then compiling all of them at the end. It could be a blog. You could take lots of pictures along the way. Or you could start a travel journal and write about your experience. Anything works and your future self will thank you for it.