After taking time to reflect on my summer in Oxford, these are the seven tips I have for students studying abroad next year!
- Research! Take the time to find 3-5 places to visit, events to go to, or foods to try in your new home. Not only with this familiarize yourself with the area and its culture, but it also gives you something to look forward to when you get there.
- Pack Light! Or bring an extra bag (like I did!) You will want to buy clothes that match the style of your city and still have room to bring back plenty of souvenirs from your travels. Buying shampoo at a local drug store and planning to pick up a sweatshirt when I arrived instead of bringing one with me are just a couple of the ways that I saved space. And trust me, if you don’t wear it now, you won’t wear it abroad, so just leave it.
- Budget! Deciding how much you want to spend beforehand will help you plan what you want to do while you’re abroad. Making a weekly budget and sticking to it will ensure that you still have funds for activities at the end of your trip, and not have to stop having fun halfway through.
- Explore! A piece of advice I received from one of my professors on the first day was “If a door is open, go in.” Go in the door, walk down the street, and take every opportunity to explore. I discovered the most beautiful church in Paris (not Notre Dame!) simply by taking a different route back to our hotel.
- Stay Calm! Not everything will go according to plan, and that’s ok! Construction, weather, and train delays happen. Don’t stress, take a breath, laugh, and remember that this will be a funny story you’ll be telling for years to come.
- Be Present! Limit your screen time while you’re abroad. You can scroll through TikTok when you’re home, but you can’t get chocolate covered strawberries from Borough Market in Tuscaloosa. Put the phone away and live in the moment.
- Say Yes! Be open to spontaneous adventures, like a day trip to Wales or a rollercoaster ride in the Black Forest. They will be the best experiences and the most fond memories of your time abroad.
There are so many more things I could say, but these seven suggestions are the most important! No matter where you go or what you do, you’re going to have the time of your life!
