Hopping on a plane to live and study in a new country for a few months is already an incredible opportunity. And now more than ever, travel is expensive, so having the option to visit neighboring countries and cities is often impossible to pass up.
In this blog post, we will outline the most efficient and exciting ways to travel while studying abroad. We’ll cover how to balance your workload while traveling, how to get the most bang for your buck and how to keep from burning out.
Tip 1: Plan Ahead
Before you arrive in your host country, you should have a rough idea of your intentions for traveling. Ask yourself whether you would like a similar course load to what you take at The University of Texas at Austin, or whether a smaller load is more advantageous. Keep in mind that you will need to take a minimum of the equivalent of 12 UT Austin credit hours if you want to stay affiliated.
Tip 2: Pick Your Battles
Trust me, I know that it is tempting to do it all! If you’re studying in France, what’s stopping you from visiting every Western European country? They’re all right there!
Well, as alluring as that prospect is (especially for those who may not get another chance to be in Europe), trying to do too much will not only result in burnout and extra stress, but it also might detract from your experience in those countries.
Take it from somebody who has done extensive travel, both slow- and fast-paced: If given the choice of spending one day each in three different places or spending three days in one place, always choose to spend more time in a single place.
Spending more time in a specific place allows you to better interact with the culture and get closer to having the ‘local’ experience. In fact, I would recommend traveling to other locations only if you’ve already spent plenty of time immersed in the culture of your “home” country, as well.
Tip 3: Take the Road Less Traveled
One of the largest barriers to travel is money. After shelling out quite a lot of it just for your study abroad program, it is often unreasonable to think that you can also travel wherever you please, stay in the nicest hotels and eat the nicest food.
Luckily, the less visited, less expensive places often offer the more real and raw experiences. Instead of taking the time to go to the one city near you that everyone visits, maybe try the smaller and less touristy city that will not only save you some money but also will probably offer you a more authentic experience.
Overall, balancing your travel with your studies is what studying abroad is all about. After all, it wouldn’t be called “study abroad” if studying and “abroad-ing” weren’t the two main parts. However, approaching your travel plans strategically is key to helping you make the most out of them and making sure that you still dedicate the necessary time to your studies.
Some final tips before you go, though: Put your safety first. Communicate your plans to your friends (and maybe even bring them along). And make a concerted attempt to interact with new cultures on their own terms.
Nate Heffron is an Education Abroad Peer Mentor providing support to students interested in studying abroad. Learn about this position and its services on the Peer Mentors Program webpage.
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