Study abroad programs offer the chance to immerse yourself in new worlds — places where they speak different languages, eat different foods and dance in different ways. If there’s a little anxiety mixed in with your excitement, don’t worry. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous about venturing into the unknown. But we guarantee it will be an experience you’ll remember years to come.
There’s no one “right” way to study abroad, but there are a few key things to consider before you fly off into the blue. A bit of planning, research and preparation is crucial to getting the most out of your international travel. We’ll walk you through every step of the way, from finding the right program to what to pack for your next great adventure.
1. Research Your School’s Study Abroad Programs
The easiest way to start planning for your big academic expedition is to reach out to your college’s study abroad department. Most schools have a dedicated office handling their study abroad programs, equipped with staff whose whole job is to help students like you find the perfect opportunities.
You can start by checking out the webpage of your college’s study abroad department, which will likely contain tons of information about upcoming study abroad opportunities. We recommend following-up with a quick appointment with your school’s study abroad counselor before you make your choice. Counselors will not only help you find the best place to study abroad, but can help on the academic side — finding out which programs will provide the credits and experience you need to stay on the right collegiate track.
2. Consider Alternative Study Abroad Programs
Maybe your school isn’t offering the opportunity you were hoping for right now, or maybe you’d just like to explore every option available to you. Either way, you should know you’re not limited to your school’s official travel abroad program.
Outside of the traditional route, there are tons of ways to get your schooling done in a different country. Third-party travel abroad sites, for example, will often consolidate different opportunities in one place. CIEE study abroad programs are one such resource, offering not just academic programs, but internships, scholarships and work opportunities.
Finally, if you can’t find any program tailored to your specific area of study, you should talk to your counselor about designing an independent study abroad program. If there’s opportunities to further your niche academic focus in a different country, chances are your college can help you make it happen.
Quick Note: High School Study Abroad Programs
When most people hear “studying abroad,” they tend to think of college and university students. But more and more high schools are offering study abroad programs for younger adolescents to experience a different culture. Just as with university programs, it’s a good idea to meet with a school counselor to discuss high school study-abroad programs.
3. Seek Out Study Abroad Scholarships
You might be surprised to learn that some study abroad programs (though not all) can save you money, if the cost of living of where you travel is lower where you currently go to school. There can be a large upfront cost, but keep in mind this price often covers expenses like lodging and meals as well.
The sticker shock dream semester abroad can also be alleviated by study abroad scholarships and financial aid. Once again, your school’s study abroad counselor can introduce you to some of the assistance available to global-trotting students. Partially or fully funded study abroad scholarships can also be found on places like the CIEE study abroad website or the U.S. State Department’s USA StudyAbroad site.
4. Getting Ready for the Trip
All right, so you’ve got your dream program picked out and your finances taken care of. What’s next?
Before you go, take a little time to research your destination. This might seem obvious, but the more you learn about the local culture, customs, and tradition, the less you’ll feel like a fish out of water in your new temporary home.
If people speak another language there, you might set aside a little time to learn a few key words and phrases to communicate better with the locals. Other important considerations include things like the seasonal climate — to know which clothes to pack — transportation options and popular attractions to check out in your free time.
5. Packing for Studying Abroad
You might be tempted to stuff everything but the kitchen sink into your luggage for the trip. After all, you’ll be gone for a while.
But when it comes to packing for a journey abroad, less is usually more. You’ll be on the move often, and you don’t want to be weighed down by heavy luggage. Stick to the essentials — clothes for different weather conditions, toiletries, and any necessary medication. If you’re unsure about what to pack, check with your study abroad program for recommendations or talk to other students who’ve already completed the program.
That being said, there are a few universal items we think every traveler should pack — here are some of our must-haves for student globe-trotters.
Important Document Organizer
Passports, visas and other travel documents are a no-brainer for international trips, of course. But don’t forget to bring somewhere to keep them safe and organized as well. You’ll want to find a holding place that’s both secure and readily on-hand when you need it.
Fanny packs have long been a popular option to keep international travel documents safe. (We’re lucky enough to live in a time where they happen to be back in style, too.) Check out the Lululemon Everywhere — a bag that’s been blowing up on TikTok — or some of our favorite Everywhere dupes.
Another option is a travel wallet: more or less like a regular wallet, but slightly bigger, with special pockets to keep your passport and documents. For a streamlined, fairly compact travel wallet, check out the Zero Grid Travel Wallet & Passport Holder with RFID protection and recovery tags.
Portable Chargers
Avoid the potential disasters that can come from dead devices with portable chargers like the Anker 313 Power Bank. With a thin profile and 10,000 mAh capacity, it hits that travel sweet spot between portability and power.
Universal Travel Adapter
Different countries have different standards for plug types and voltages — if you’re not careful, you could find yourself stranded without anywhere to plug your pluggables. Luckily, universal adapters like the ROMECH Universal Travel Adapter are relatively cheap and compatible with socket standards for over 150 countries.
Water Bottle with Filter
Refillable water bottles are a must to avoid dehydration while traveling, but not everywhere has the highest quality water flowing from the taps. Filtered water bottles like the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle can keep your water free of common contaminants — and make it taste much nicer.
E-Reader
Books are a traveler’s best friend on long flights, train journeys and bus rides. Unfortunately, even a single paperback can take up luggage room you don’t have to spare. E-readers are a great alternative to heavy, bulky paper books. For ease-of-use, size and price, we’re big fans of Amazon’s latest Kindle.
Your trip of a lifetime awaits! Above all, prepare to open your mind up to new experiences. Traveling abroad requires leaving your comfort zone, but with these travel tips and some helpful items from Amazon, you’ll be ready to take on the world (or at least a new country.)
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