Student Bloggers

Physically and mentally preparing to study abroad can be overwhelming. In my experience, the best way to combat any anxiety, frustration, or fear that I felt before departure was preparing as much as I possibly could. Two months into study abroad, I’ve compiled a list of my 10 favorite ways I prepared to come to Italy (plus one or two ways I wish I prepared). 

1. Find out what documents you need and get them with time to spare.
   To study abroad for a semester you need a passport, visa, vaccine records, travel itinerary, visa letter, and oh so much more. Generally, most documents you need will fall into one of these categories: educational, travel, and medical. Breaking down each document you need into one of these categories is a really easy way to organize yourself while you are in the process of compiling and submitting paperwork. This process can take a long time and may be frustrating, so I recommend that you start researching what documents you will need for your specific country the second you know you are studying abroad. If you need any help, personnel from your home institution and your abroad institution will be happy to answer your questions and will be a valuable resource for knowing when you will need which documents. 
2. Learn the key characteristics of where you will be living.
   Wherever you study abroad, there will be something about that city, region, or country that is unique, charming, and/or vital to local life. If you’re going to Italy and like coffee, you must research coffee culture in Italy so you can know how to order your favorites (if you’re not careful, you might just be served a steaming hot cup of milk) and when it is acceptable to drink certain brews. It’s also important to know what your area is known for. For example, the city I am staying in, Perugia, is famous for its chocolate delicacies. This kind of city-specific information can be found in a lot of places, most notably guidebooks, podcasts, blogs, travel websites, etc. One great resource that I used before coming to Italy was the Untold Italy travel podcast; it has hundreds of episodes covering all sorts of local traditions, best products, and travel activities in every region of Italy. 
3. Read past student experiences.
   Most study abroad institutions have written testimonials from past students that help upcoming students know what to expect from their time abroad (hint: you’re reading one right now!). Some institutions even go above and beyond and make it easy for you to access interviews and videos from students as well. Check your institution’s website and social media for insight from past students about what classes are like, what grocery stores are best to shop at, and where you should spend your weekday nights. You will also probably find valuable information for pre-departure such as what to pack, where to travel, and essential phrases you will need to know. 
4. Research typical weather trends during the time of year that you will be abroad.
   There is almost a 0% chance that you will find the same climate where you study abroad as your home. I have found through studying in Italy that although there is a common belief that Italy is warm and beautiful year round, this is definitely not the case, especially in central or northern areas. After conducting research on the climate of my specific city, I learned that it is extremely windy and usually snows a couple times in January or February. As someone from the southern US, this helped me know that I would have to bring most of my winter gear along with me. In retrospect, I am so happy that I sacrificed so much luggage space for winter gear: this is by far the coldest and windiest winter I have ever endured. 
5. Pack efficiently.
   Part of knowing what the climate will be like is knowing what all you need to pack! Be sure to bring the proper amount of season-appropriate gear. If you are going to be studying abroad in the warmer months, you probably won’t need a winter coat and will be able to bring a lot more t-shirts than sweaters. However, this will vary depending on where you choose to study.
   
   But no matter where you are, make sure you have enough clothes to get you through at least a week and a half or two weeks without needing to do laundry. I can guarantee that at some point your semester will get very busy and hectic, and you will probably wind up slacking on laundry more than you would like. Be prepared for it!
   
   I had read several past student testimonials that said that the night before departure, they either wound up having to make several last-second trips to the store or had to purge a bunch of items they planned on packing. In order to avoid this for myself, I decided to do a Practice Pack Session. Basically, I gathered everything I needed and packed it all a couple weeks before departure. This way I was able to spot anything I didn’t have yet, make sure I had enough space to pack everything I wanted to bring, weigh my checked bag, and write down everything I specifically wanted to pack with enough time to not incite a last-minute panic. I highly recommend doing a Practice Pack Session! It’s a great way to feel more prepared and know what you need to set aside/wash before you leave. 
6. Be realistic.
   It can be really tempting to romanticize your time abroad before you get there. However, it is important to be realistic about what to expect, what you will do, and even what you like! A common mistake I’ve heard from past students is packing clothes that are more “European.” Being realistic about your own style and what you will wear will help you pack more efficiently and ensure that you will wear each of the items you pack. Don’t feel obligated to dress like a local if that is not your style. And make sure you don’t forget the things you love to wear! I love baseball caps, but I decided not to pack any because I was afraid they would look silly in Italy. I regret that choice and wish I had brought just one along with me so I could wear it whenever I felt like it.
   
   Another expectation that can quickly get out of control is the activities and travel you will do. You will undoubtedly have some of the greatest experiences while you are abroad. However, it is important to remember your social battery, health, and available funds before you go abroad. For most people, it is not realistic to take a three-day vacation to another country every weekend. When planning what you want to do and the places you want to visit, don’t forget to consider that you will still be a student and may be tired from the week, have assignments to complete, or may have a dwindling budget. 
7. Learn as much of the local language as you can.
   If you are studying abroad in a big city (some Italian examples are Rome or Florence) most people will probably be able to speak enough English to help you get by. However, if you are in a smaller city you are going to need to learn some of the local language. Obviously you won’t be able to become fluent in a few months, but the more you know, the easier it will be to navigate daily life.
   
   When you first start, focus on essential travel/life phrases like “What time will the train arrive?” or “How much does this cost?” I highly recommend using language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel. Personally, I have been using Duolingo for years and can admit it is a little bit tricky to figure out grammar rules with their system. Despite that, I still think it is a good way to learn vocabulary words. I have never used Babbel, but I have a few friends who have and they praise it for its system of teaching grammar and important phrases. However, while Duolingo has a free version, Babbel does not. Consider all the pros and cons (and even see if you can find another way of learning the language) before picking one to use.
   
   In addition to general phrases and words, it is important to consider words that are essential for you to know. For example, if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure you learn those words! If you’re super into hiking, consider looking up a few hiking vocabulary words that will help you when you’re looking for a trail, need help while on a trail, or are trying to buy hiking equipment. Think about how you use your words in English, consider what things you must be able to communicate while you are abroad, and learn those words/phrases!
8. Figure out your phone!
   Using your phone while abroad is complicated and can be very tricky. Plans and options vary greatly depending on your phone plan provider, so make sure to visit their website directly to see what they offer in terms of international plans. If your provider’s international plan does not fit your needs, consider buying a sim card (or e-sim card, depending on your phone type). Buying a new sim card lets you keep your same phone, but will give you a new phone number with your study abroad country’s country code. There are lots of data plan options that you can then purchase that will probably be cheaper than an international plan but more complicated to get. Research each option to consider what best fits your needs and your budget.
   
   P.S. Don’t forget to double check any restrictions your provider may have! I wanted to get an Italian sim card, but I eventually found out that I did not qualify to have my phone unlocked from my provider. Because of this, I had no choice but to use an international plan. Restrictions like this will greatly impact your budget, so make sure you check requirements and try to work around them as quickly as possible. In my case, I bought my phone too recently to be allowed to unlock it. Another possible restriction may be if you are still paying off a phone. So make sure you read all the fine print, especially for unlocking your phone, well in advance.  
9. Create a communication plan with your friends and family.
   Keeping in touch with your loved ones back in the states can be very difficult with the time difference. In my case, I am 7-8 hours ahead of my family and friends. Because of that, I usually have to plan a few hours/days in advance before I can have a long phone call with a loved one. It’s also important to communicate your preferred methods of communication while abroad before you depart. If you’re studying abroad in Europe, you will probably switch to using Whatsapp as your primary messaging app. Tell your friends and family to download the app and add them before you depart in case your standard messaging service isn’t functional when you first arrive. 
10. Get familiar with your day-to-day life.
    One of the reasons some study abroad students get burned out or overwhelmed is the complete absence of the familiar. One way to avoid this is by making your study abroad destination familiar before you get there. For example, you can use street view on Google Maps to see your route from home to class and get used to what your city looks like. If you don’t know your class schedule or where you’ll be staying, you can still use this tool to explore the city and find some interesting shops and restaurants. (PS -- prepare to switch to Google Maps. Apple Maps is pretty unreliable in Europe).
    
    Another way to enhance your sense of familiarity is to bring one or two special things from home with you when you go abroad. Don’t bring anything that is extremely valuable in case it gets lost or stolen and try to limit its size so that it doesn’t take up too much space when packing. I’ve heard of past students bringing pictures of their friends and family, squishmallows, and comfy sweatshirts to bring a sense of home to them while they are abroad. Personally, I brought two stuffed animals which I kept in my carry-on bag to ensure they stayed with me in the (unlikely) event that my checked bag got lost in transit.