Discover five practical ways to prepare for study abroad and make the most of your experience
Studying abroad with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) will be an experience of a lifetime. In our blog 5 ways to prepare for your semester abroad, we discussed some tips and tricks to get ready for your study abroad.
Because planning is one of the most important steps toward studying abroad, we decided to share five more ways to prepare for your semester abroad. Here are five essentials that you need to consider as you prepare for study abroad with USAC.
#1: Don’t overpack when prepping for study abroad
Packing for study abroad can be a challenge for many students. It’s easy to keep stuffing a few more items into your luggage because you think you’ll need it abroad, but it’s important to avoid over packing.
Remember that you can purchase items abroad if you forget something, and you can probably live with less than you realize. Navigating airports, trains, and subways with loads of luggage is exhausting, and can easily be avoided by spending some time minimizing your packing list.
Do some research on your destination before you start packing, and don’t be afraid to repack a couple of times — it can sometimes take a few tries to get it just right.
#2: Be prepared to jump into your study abroad as soon as you land
Do some research on what to expect for the first week of your program. Will you be adjusting to a much warmer or colder climate than you’re used to? Is there a language barrier? Will you need to navigate your way from the airport to another city where you’ll be staying, all while jetlagged from a long flight?
Before you leave home, plan out your schedule for the first few days abroad, including how you’ll get to your accommodation and settle in, and if there are any welcome events for new students that you don’t want to miss.
The early days abroad can be equal parts stressful and incredible as you acclimate to culture shock, but soon you’ll be situated in your new home, making new friends, and having the time of your life. Be sure to give yourself a pat on the back for every accomplishment you achieve, big or small.
#3: Research your study abroad host country to help you prepare before you go
To deepen your experience abroad, consider doing some research on your host country before you leave home. Learning about the culture and history can make your study abroad experience that much richer because you can start to see how small historical events or sites tie into the broader historical tapestry.
Whether you hit up your local library for books, do a search online, or even enroll in a class at your home institution the semester before you go abroad, learning more about where you’re going goes a long way to helping you feel prepared and ready for living abroad.
Another helpful step can be learning common phrases in your host country’s language. Knowing useful communication words such as hello, goodbye, please, and thank you can go a long way as you settle into your new home. If you want to stretch your language skills a bit more, consider practicing phrases for things like ordering food or calling a taxi.
#4: Plan some of your study abroad travels in advance … but leave room for spontaneity
Time flies when you’re having fun, and that’s especially true when you study abroad. Your time abroad will likely go by much faster than you expect, so it can be nice to have a few excursions planned before you leave.
However, be sure to leave room for spur-of-the-moment trips. You don’t yet know who you’ll meet, where you’ll want to go, or what amazing activities might get on your radar that you never expected, so don’t book every weekend full before you arrive.
Did you know that there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in your host city for free? Check out USAC’s free things to do abroad series for exciting activities to try that don’t cost a penny. Whether it’s exploring the colorful, bustling Tianzifang alleyways in Shanghai, China, relaxing in warm, peaceful thermal pools in Viterbo, Italy, or visiting interesting free museums in Santiago, Chile, there’s plenty to try for free in USAC host cities.
#5: Be prepared to be surprised during your study abroad
Above all, when you study abroad with USAC, you need to be ready for a new adventure. Expect the unexpected, keep an open mind, and stay determined to enjoy whatever comes your way.
When studying abroad, sometimes each day brings a new surprise — these surprises are often amazing, but sometimes they can be challenging. Be prepared to navigate these ups and downs, knowing that you’ll return home as a stronger and more confident person.
The reality of study abroad might be different than you expected. But stick with it and you’ll soon be rewarded with all the excitement of studying abroad.
TL; DR: 5 study abroad essentials you need to help you prepare for living abroad
Here are the five essentials that you need to consider as you get ready for your study abroad with USAC:
- Avoid overpacking
- Be prepared to jump in when you arrive
- Research the country beforehand
- Plan travel in advance, but leave room for spontaneity
- Be prepared for surprises
If you keep these five tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to an amazing study abroad experience.
