1. Research and submit travel visas as soon as possible. Get it done fast, so you don’t have to worry
about it.
2. Location is everything. Thoroughly research your school and where it is located. What cities are near it,
what countries border it, and what type of environment is it?'
3. Use apps such as “Trainline and Omio” for trains/ground transportation and “Flix Bus or Bus
Radar” for buses.
4. Do not use main commercial money exchange places. Find a money transfer service with the
best return rate. Many money transfer places will charge you a high exchange rate. Ask locals
where the best place to go is. It saves you a lot of money.
5. Do not live on campus. Live in an apartment in a nearby town or the school's city.
You will have more freedom, and everything will be more accessible.
6. Bring a backpacking bag and a suitcase. If you want to travel throughout Europe during your
semester, your backpacking bag will come in handy. Have all of your heavy/warm clothing in
your suitcase.
7. Download a budgeting app. Keep track of your expenses because you will spend a lot without
realizing it.
8. Get a credit card (Master/Visa) with no international exchange fees.
9. Get a phone plan when you arrive in the country. I used “Lebara” when I lived in France. If you
need one right away when you arrive, go to the nearest phone service store and ask for a travel
sim card. It will take about a week to start and order a phone plan. It is cheaper to get a phone
plan in Europe than an international one in the US.
10. Create a school schedule so that you will have as many weekend days as possible. I created my
schedule to be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday so that I can travel the rest of the week.
Even though you are there to study, explore, travel, and have fun as much as possible. Time flies
insanely quickly!
I hope these 10 tips are helpful for you in your study abroad journey!
