The Real Study Abroad Guide: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Leaving
1. Booking Trips Last Minute Doesn’t Always Mean It’s Expensive
One of the biggest myths about traveling abroad is that last-minute bookings will drain your wallet. Sure, that can happen during holidays or major events, but on normal weekends? You’d be surprised. I did not book a single trip before arriving in Europe. Most fares between European cities are less than $150. I did not spend over $230 on a single flight. The lowest was $35, with most being between $50 and $150. Since I was in the UK and not in mainland Europe, trains were quite expensive. However, if you are located on the mainland, it is quite affordable to travel between countries. Many places have student discounts, and hostels often have last-minute openings. HOSTELS ARE NOT BAD. That is probably one of the biggest travel misconceptions. You just need to do extensive research before booking one (I recommend Hostel World). Watch prices, stay flexible, and take advantage of spontaneous deals.
2. Travel Burnout Is Real
Two or three weekend trips in a row might sound picture perfect, but the exhaustion builds quickly. I took on a total of 11 round-trip flights, and I honestly have mixed opinions on it. Early flights, repacking constantly, tight schedules, and nonstop sightseeing can leave you feeling drained. Some weekends, I just wanted normalcy. Rotting in my bed, watching a movie, sleeping all day, and just relaxing. Taking breaks doesn’t make your experience abroad less fulfilling, which I wish I had known beforehand.
3. Spend Time in Your Base City
It’s easy to treat your base city like a place you just sleep in between trips. But honestly? Some of your best memories will happen right where you live. Walk new neighborhoods, try restaurants, go out with friends, and find your local spots. Traveling is amazing, but truly living in your city is what makes studying abroad feel like home.
Towards the middle of my experience, I started to slightly regret all the trips I planned. Don't get me wrong, traveling was absolutely amazing, and I'm so lucky to have been given those opportunities. But there was a reason I decided to go to London. I wish I hadn't jumped the gun and been a little ambitious with my travel decisions. I was thankfully able to cancel two trips, so I could spend more time in my base city.
4. Pack Less Than You Think (Seriously)
Every study-abroad student learns this by week two: you do not need half the things you packed. You’ll re-wear outfits, buy new clothes abroad, and realize you didn’t touch that “just in case” stack once. Pack basics, versatile pieces, and things that bring comfort. Especially if you are traveling every weekend and bringing a small bag to travel with. You can always go shopping if you forgot anything (nothing better than shopping in Europe). I also recommend being conscious of the weather when choosing the clothes you bring. I brought tons of shorts and t-shirts since I thought the weather was gonna be pretty warm. I thought wrong and really only wore them when I traveled to warmer destinations. Now I had all these extra clothes in my already small closet.
5. Document Your Experience
You’ll never remember every detail — so capture the little things. This doesn’t mean daily essays. Just little things you can look back on months or even years later to relive these once-in-a-lifetime moments. I took a travel writing course in college that really influenced my look on trvael. Try simple habits:
Bullet-point journal a few lines each day (what you did, how you felt, something funny).
Take photos and create an album with random everyday pictures — your walk to class, your favorite café, your groceries.
Save small memories-tickets or postcards.
I have collected a post card from every country to collage :)
Study abroad is not meant to look perfect. You’ll get lost, cry, overspend, meet amazing people, and shock yourself with how much you grow. That’s the point.
