Study Abroad Tips

Go with the flow. Tasmania was the most un-planned trip I've ever been on. It turned out to be one of my favorite trips while abroad.

Read the Culture Shock book for your destination prior to arriving there. Reading any material before leaving will be tremendously helpful.

Be ready to adapt to different hours of operation at businesses.

Study up on your destination's current events. Know the geography, cities, nearby attractions and local's travel destinations.

Take advantage of hostels. They are incredibly cheap ($20-$30/night), and cater to back-packers. They are usually a lot of fun!

When you pack to go abroad, include a collapsable bag, a clothesline and favorite snacks from home.

When you go on trips within your big trip (i.e., a weekend trip to Sydney for while in Australia), pack plastic bags and/or zip-lock baggies for toothbrush kit, shower kit, wet bathing suit, and the unexpected (shells, etc.).

Read a local paper while abroad.

Keep a journal (I recommend a personal one and an online one to share with friends and family back home).

Get into the local sports (Rugby League games are tons of fun!), art (the Andy Warhol exhibit was awesome), culture and history.

Explore (getting lost in a city is really fun and adventurous, and going on organized trips are a great way to make new friends).

To cut accommodation costs, look for a shared-living house (everyone has their own room but shares bathrooms, kitchen and living room, etc.). Also a great way to meet people.

Plan trips well in advance so you can make sure to do everything you really want to do. Plan time-wise and with regards to finances. You'll want to do everything you hear about, so be prepared to prioritize.

Read books by local authors. Watch local movies (and TV shows if you watch TV). (By local I mean your country.)

Only purchase souvenirs for close family and friends. Souvenir expenses climb very quickly.

Sending post cards is a fun way to send a bit of your adventure home to friends and family. Be sure to keep an eye on postage.

If you know you'll have a friend or family member visit you, request that they bring an extra suitcase for you. Ask them to bring goodies from home in it, and send home souvenirs and other items you no longer need abroad. This trick really lightens the load on the way home (and keeps costs down from having to send things by mail).

Don't stick around too long after the semester ends or you'll be hanging around on your own and bored. If you plan to go on a trip or two after the semester ends, be sure to calculate that into your financial budget so you don't run out of money and get stuck bored for that excess time before your flight, etc.

-Amanda