The time when our dear friends depart for the great beyond has come upon us. If you’re like me, and you have friends studying abroad then, you might feel like you’ve lost a special piece of your daily routine. You won’t see that familiar face on campus as much as you used to. As well, if you’ve studied abroad, you might also be feeling a bit of nostalgia.
I studied abroad for about two and a half months. It was a summer program with our wonderful language department in the UPR Rio Piedras Campus. While out there, I did learn a few things.
As my friends and I have been encouraging our dear traveler gone away, I would like to encourage some of you: those of you who are either thinking of going abroad or who are currently out there and need some reassurance to beat those jitters.
Here are 5 tips to help you survive the adventure that is out there (cute Pixar reference to get you pumped):
1. The Stomach Speaks
The best part of going somewhere new is learning about the culture through the culinary arts. Explore your destination by treating your palette to some local goods. However, don’t go into a restaurant just because it looks good. I’m one for splurging on food as much as the next person, but saving your money is key. Try to find a happy medium between appetizing and affordable. There will always be something cheaper and equally as good. In some places you’ll go to, some of these restaurant staff members or store workers will try to sell you the most expensive item on their menu or in their store. Chances are your foreign university will probably offer more affordable meals than other places.
Apart from that, if you will be living there for more than standard vacation time, you will need food in your apartment or wherever you are living in for the next few months. When I went abroad, I brought a couple of snacks along. I kept these on me at all times in case we were in a rush, and we didn’t have time to buy anything. The rest that was leftover, I kept in our apartment or near my bed for some snacking.
Tip: If you bring something you usually eat when you’re at home, it can serve as comfort food and beat away the homesick blues.
Plus, you have probably researched what this new culture offers. You know what you like, so you should prepare for anything!
2. Money, money, money
This is the most important part! Unfortunately, money is key to survival abroad. You should have the estimated amount you believe you will be spending during your entire trip, and then you should have an emergency amount that you will only use in, yes, emergencies.
Leave all souvenir and gift shopping until the end of your trip. It might be a little stressful if you’re constantly focused on “What am I going to get my mom?”, but you need to have enough money for food and basic necessities if you want to make it to the end of your trip without asking for more money from back home. Also, if you can’t get that one friend that one souvenir, it’s okay. I did not keep my promise of bringing back tubs of Nutella, and I’m still alive.
3. Squad Goals?
If you’re traveling alone, and you expect to have a roommate, try to communicate before you arrive. You can also plan out what each person should bring, and that way you coordinate how to manage and survive together in your living space. If this isn’t possible, be cordial once you meet. If unfortunately, you can’t co-exist with your roommate, most places will give you options such as requesting a new roommate or moving you into a new dorm.
Now, if you do know who your roommates will be because you are traveling together to your destination, here is my advice: set boundaries between each other in terms of coming together to understand what each person is comfortable with. You will be living with these people for a long period of time, and it is important that every single one of you have a good time. That’s what you’re there for! Let’s just say that we did not specify the “we can’t bring guys over” rule in my time abroad, and one night ended with one of the roommate’s dates throwing a bottle of liquor out the window into the street at another guy!
Another detail is to try to create a buddy system, especially if it’s a big group. Make plans together or go to dinner together. Yet, you don’t have to spend every moment together, but at least let them know if you’re going to go out, or if you’re going to split up. It’s not fun losing contact with your roommate when you know she went out! Safety is a key concept on these trips. If you tend to be the mother hen or momma bear, you tend to not focus your own safety and well-being but instead give your attention to others on the trip with you. Again, the important thing is to plan things out and communicate! Trust is also key.
4. Only the Essentials
It’s very important to know what to pack. If you’re a girl make sure to bring your hygiene products for that time of the month. A small box of your favorite brand of pads, tampons, or product of your choice will help in the long run, especially if you know more or less how much you use per cycle. If you’ll be there for a long time, bring enough for your first cycle while you find new products at your destination.
Bringing a camera along is also a good idea if you want to be extra, but your phone is a good substitute too. Another thing: packing cubes save so much space, but don’t let this convince you to overpack. Chances are you’ll end up buying clothes abroad. You don’t want to be that person that sits down beside the line, unpacking your suitcase in front of people because it passed the weight limit, and you don’t want to pay those extra charges (#guilty).
Here is a packing list I found on Pinterest (which is what I did to pack. Just type in the search “packing”, and Pinterest will give you a lot of great options):
5. “Life’s short, talk fast”
Starting off with a Gilmore Girls quote, so you know this is important: this is your chance to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t let it limit you! Nobody knows you or where you come from. You are in a new environment, and you can re-invent yourself if that’s what you want. Don’t deny people your company and have fun! You will not get this chance again, especially with people from all over the world. Learn about different cultures while you’re at it, and you can share stories with these people about where you come from too. However, don’t forget about the ones you left back home. Surely they’ll miss you, so make sure to stay in contact and call from time to time.
Well, that is all! I hope this helped you in any way possible, and that it inspires you to take that leap and explore what lies beyond the reef (another Disney reference for you; wink wink).