A few things to consider
October 1, 2009
A Few Things to Consider 
As a study abroad student, there are lots of things you might need to prepare for your trip. I enlisted the help of a few friends who studied abroad previously while I was packing for my own trip to make sure I had everything I needed. Here are a few helpful tips for all of you students thinking about studying abroad this spring semester or in the future.
- Bring enough clothes, but not too many: I’ve seen both sides of this. I used the extra room in my second suitcase for toiletries and other nonsense, and decided not to bring enough clothes with me. On the other hand, I’ve seen more than a few girls bring half their wardrobe, which certainly isn’t practical either. Find a happy medium.
- Bring movies: One of my friends told me movies helped her when she got homesick studying abroad in Florence. I haven’t stumbled upon this problem yet however; my movies have kept me entertained when I’ve had free time.
- Pack or buy an umbrella: I went on a leisurely walk around Rome the other day only to come out of a restaurant to pouring rain. I did have an umbrella: in my drawer in my apartment. The point of the story is I had it and now that it’s been raining for the last 3 days straight, I’ve been a happy camper.
- Remember your universal adapters/converters: They’re hard to find once you leave the U.S. and probably more expensive too.
- Girls, plan to buy a hair straightener and hair dryer: Yours WILL be blown out from the outlets even if you use a converter. When buying these items, keep in mind safety codes may not be the same as in the U.S. Thankfully, I just narrowly escaped flames shooting out of a hair dryer here.
- Make a budget: This is the one thing I’m still struggling with today. Go over how much you have to spend over the length of the semester with your parents and split that up into weekly increments. As long as you stay around the range you planned out, you won’t go home completely broke. This is also important for additional expenses that will pop up. For example, my friends and I have planned five trips to other cities for the semester which definitely eat away at a large chunk of your money. If you do research about your destinations and even the country you study abroad in, you can find some deals for museums, hostels, etc. that will save you some money. Another great example I can use is the museum at the Vatican is free mornings of the last Sunday of every month. The only way to truly save is to do some investigating.
- Be prepared to make sacrifices: This can include many things. You will inevitably want to do things others won’t or live with people you may not be completely compatible with. Learn how to be independent and do your own things. At the same time, learn how to be flexible to enjoy the company of the other students you’re with.
Keep in mind these are just a few ideas from my own personal experiences and everyone who studies abroad learns from making mistakes on their own. Remember to be safe and have fun!
Check out Lauren's previous blog: The Beginning of a Study Abroad Experience
