Morgan’s Top 3 Travel Tips for Study Abroad
Before starting my study abroad adventure, I knew I would learn so much about Greek culture while living in Greece for four months. However, there’s another type of culture I didn’t quite expect to be so apparent: the American study abroad culture. I live with eight American girls in one apartment. I was first introduced to about thirty other American students who are also part of my ISA program. Gradually, I’ve been connecting with some of the two hundred other American students who attend my college, ACG. Being continuously surrounded by other Americans is a blessing. It has helped me reflect on experiences with others feeling the same way I am. Also, it is a source of comfort when I feel a bit homesick. For example, a Bible study group I formed with other American study abroad students has helped me with feelings of missing MLC and, relative to now, Holy Week at my home congregation.
One aspect of American study abroad culture I learned quickly was that everyone has their own agenda and priorities for their time here, especially when traveling. Some of my roommates have had trips to other countries booked for upcoming weekends before arriving in Greece. Some other Americans I met had quickly found their group of people to travel with and started planning. I initially felt very stressed about this. My FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) was overwhelming me. I didn’t want to miss out on traveling around Greece and Europe and experiencing as much as possible because I had no connections with people. I had my own destinations in mind, but it felt so difficult to coordinate class schedules, budgeting, timing, etc., with people I felt comfortable traveling with. Over time, I was able to work through the initial struggles and mistakes I made when planning my travels and form some realizations that might be helpful for a future study abroad student.
Morgan’s Top 3 Travel Tips for Study Abroad
- Plan Ahead, but Be Flexible
Once I figured out which weekends I had open for travel, planning trips at least a month ahead worked out the best. However, traveling on a student budget calls for some extreme flexibility. It may be worth taking a bus or train (or, in Greece, a ferry to the islands) rather than a flight, even though it takes longer to get there. Depending on where you are going and how much you want to do, I found two whole days (typically Saturday to Sunday) to be enough time to explore a destination. It’s helpful to make a rough itinerary for your trip and pin all the places you want to go in Google Maps. Also, hostels are the way to go for basically just a bed and shower. However, if you’re traveling with a bigger group, splitting the cost of an Airbnb might be even cheaper. Regarding traveling with people, it is nice to find those with the same travel style as you. For example, I love to pack everything in and see as much as possible, but others are okay with not seeing everything and would instead do more relaxing. No matter who you are traveling with, there are times when you may need to compromise. It is good to be open-minded.
- Prioritize the “Free” Excursions
The included excursions and trips are an incredible blessing in my ISA and ACG’s study abroad programs. This is probably different in other countries, but this tip is relevant since many MLC students study abroad with ISA. I visited many of Athens’s main touristy sights and activities with ISA. They bought my group’s tickets, traveling accommodations, sometimes meals, etc., and organized the whole itinerary. Also, ISA invites their students to participate in volunteer opportunities where they can learn so much about the people and culture. ACG also organizes day trips to popular places outside Athens. They hire tour guides who share much knowledge about these cities and take us to authentic restaurants the locals love. I was surprised how many study abroad students didn’t take advantage of these trips. They are so easy to plan around because they let us know the dates before arriving in Greece. If your program has included excursions, I highly recommend doing them!
- Remember: It is YOUR Adventure
I previously mentioned my FOMO when first thinking about traveling here. I think this stemmed from comparing my study abroad experience with the experience of people around me. I initially felt I was planning wrong because I wasn’t traveling to a different country every weekend. However, when I realized my goals for traveling and felt confident in them, these feelings faded. I planned two short trips out of Greece, Florence, Italy, and London, U.K, and the rest of my traveling was to cities and islands in Greece. I feel satisfied with this because I want to experience the most of Greece I can while living here, which is what my budget allows. Also, traveling more than you ever have in your life in a short time is tiring. You need time to rest. You don’t have to travel every weekend. You also don’t have to do what everyone else is doing! Remember your own priorities and values.
