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See below for some study abroad tips we've collected from scholars!
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
RESEARCH COSTS
Find out the program cost and research actual flight roundtrip costs
Consider mandatory application fees & travel/international insurance
Include in your budget: meals, souvenirs, excursions on weekends, passport/Visa costs, and books/supplies
LOOK UP REVIEWS & TALK TO FELLOW SCHOLARS
Every program sounds appealing at first, but it may not offer the best experience and end up costing you a lot of money
Find someone who has done the same program before & check if they have time to chat with you about it
BEFORE YOU GO
BEFORE YOU GO
PURCHASE A CONVERTER
!! BE SURE TO PURCHASE & BRING AN ADAPTOR WITH YOU
All electrical sockets are not created equal; if you are going to use a device overseas, you need to know what type of voltage is used in the country you’re traveling to and what type of adapter is needed to plug your devices into the outlet.
Electric Converter: changes the voltage of your electronic device
Outlet Converter: changes the shape of your plug, not the electrical voltage, allowing you to plug appliances into wall outlets in countries with different-shaped plugs than your own
Consult this chart to see which outlet designs are used in different countries.
** Recommended: a universal adaptor that you can continue to use in the future!
MONEY THINGS
LET YOUR BANK KNOW
Let your bank/credit card companies know of the dates you will be abroad
Otherwise, they will think you card is stolen and you will not be able to use them!
MAKE A BUDGET
Research the exchange rate & local prices of items
Some countries will have prices lower than the U.S. in which it makes it hard not to buy every little thing you see. Other places have prices much higher than those in the U.S., which can cause us to be stingy with our spending.
Depending on where you're living, perhaps cooking breakfast every morning will save money on food. Make a soft budget for your trip!
EXCHANGE MONEY OR GET A 'TRAVEL FRIENDLY' CREDIT CARD
A credit card has a 0% interest rate and no foreign transaction fees is ideal
Note: American Express Credit Cards are rarely accepted in European countries
Do not keep much cash on you, as pickpocketing is very common (especially in Europe)
PHONE PLANS
Check with your cell phone provider to discuss international plans.
HERE is a helpful article on how to use your smartphone abroad.
PLAN PERSONAL EXCURSIONS
RESEARCH & PLAN your weekend excursions for cheaper fares on buses and trains. In Europe, download OMIO to plan travels.
USE A GPS: A good one to use is Citymapper.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
THINGS TO CONSIDER
KNOW THE CLIMATE OF WHERE YOU'RE GOING
Summer abroad here could be the beginning of winter there (country where you will be).
Be sure to research the weather & pack accordingly!
Note: Ozone layer in some countries (i.e., Australia) is weaker than in the States so it is highly encouraged to bring a hat and sunscreen.
US → EUROPE, always pack a rain jacket and travel-size umbrella to be prepared for rain.
US → TROPICAL CLIMATE/RAINFOREST, consider buying a waterproof case or bag to store away your devices.
!! Living in Texas, we are acclimated to our own climate. When we travel abroad, there is high likelihood we will have to adjust to colder, warmer, moister, or dryer climates.
BOOKING FLIGHTS
Plan on at least $1,000 for a roundtrip flight ticket. Airfare is always an extra cost that is not included in program fees, tuition, etc. Try https://www.studentuniverse.com/ (offers student discounts for flights).
Check with your airline to find out how many bags you're allowed to take without paying extra baggage fees for the roundtrip flight.
Do not forget the luggage scale. Your luggage can get heavy after shopping for souvenirs. If you are a heavy shopper, pack lightly or you will pay extra fees.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE
WHILE YOU'RE THERE
COMMUNICATE WITH HOME, BUT NOT TOO OFTEN
It is important to let your family/friends/ significant other know you are ok and are having a blast abroad
Send pictures of your adventures on a regular basis
But remember-- you are abroad to learn and have a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience! Don't worry about things that are going on back home if it's not urgent.
MEET THE LOCALS/LEARN THE HOST LANGUAGE
Research popular hangouts and strike up a conversation with a few locals to learn more about cultural traditions. Don't be afraid to talk to them!
If you are in a country where English is not the primary language, learn a few words and phrases in the host language ahead of time; do not assume the locals speak English.
TRY NEW FOODS
You can eat Cane's/Chick-fil-a/whatever you love in the States whenever you want. While abroad, it is your duty to try the local cuisine. In some countries, there is a melting pot of different cultures in terms of food. For vegetarians/vegans: some countries are not as advanced as the U.S. in terms of vegetarian diets. Do lots of research and try your best. You may have to keep an open mind with certain vegetarian dishes.
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