Traveling to another country can be scary, especially for a long period of time, but the experience is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

This past summer, I went on a 6-week study abroad trip to Rome and took two courses. Studying abroad means to live in another country for a period of time while taking classes towards your degree. In normal circumstances, students will go to a foreign country in either the fall or spring semester for 3 months. Although this summer semester is shorter than the typical 3-month fall or spring semester trips DeSales has to offer, I gained valuable experience and advice that I believe is important for others interested in the program to know. 

For those who plan to study abroad, whether it be a few weeks or for a full semester, I have included advice to succeed in a once-in-a-lifetime experience studying abroad. 

Organize Your Schedule

Planning is everything. But it is also important to keep in mind that not everything will go to plan. While studying abroad, it is your responsibility to find transportation to classes and wherever else you need to go. My strategy was to always figure out my schedule regarding classes and other priorities the night before so I knew what time to wake up and leave the apartment. With occasional transportation strikes and buses not arriving on time, it’s practical to add extra time in your schedule for any inconveniences to your routine. I like to keep the mindset ‘I’d rather be an hour early than 5 minutes late’. This is a great mindset to bring into your professional life as well because no boss will want to hire someone who constantly shows up to work late which indicates that they don’t care enough about their job. So, be mindful!

Attempt to Speak the Language of the Country You’re Staying In

When I arrived in Italy, I did not know one word of Italian. As the weeks went on, I picked up on more and more words and phrases that I started to use to speak to those I interacted with. You don’t need to be perfect or be fluent in the language, but speaking just a little bit will help bridge the gap between you and your interactions with other people in the foreign country you are traveling to. Not only does this benefit your experience abroad it also helps benefit your chances of employment! Speaking more than one language is a skill that employers look for. Having this skill can put you ahead in your field when you are able to converse in different languages.

Make Time for Studying and Completing Homework

It’s easy to get distracted in a fun new location but it is important to manage your time wisely. It is a smart idea to keep the ‘I’m here for school first, and embracing the culture second’ mindset. Block out a part of your day to sit down and get work done, whether this be before dinner, in between classes, etc. This strategy will carry on to your professional life as you will develop better time management skills. What better way to learn than in a foreign country!

Branch Outside Your Comfort Zone 

Going to another country in general is breaking outside of your comfort zone, but don’t be afraid to try new things when abroad. Try different and exciting foods you wouldn’t be able to try anywhere else. Go out, meet new people, and travel to different places. You never know how the little adventures you try can shape your life. This can also be carried into your professional life and career. Apply for that job, internship, or externship! You never know where it can take you!

Watch Your Spending 

Whether it be eating out for every meal, buying souvenirs, or flights to other countries, it is important to keep track of how much you are spending and how much you want to spend per day. Spending money is easy, especially in a new place where you’ll want to embrace the culture and try everything. Something I found helpful while studying abroad and trying to save money was cooking dinner and eating from the apartment a few nights a week instead of going out. Part of indulging in the culture means trying all kinds of foods, but this can get expensive fast if you are eating out for every meal. Watching your spending while abroad is a great way to practice financial literacy and ultimately prepare you for your future spending habits.

Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made. I would not change this experience for the world and would encourage anyone to consider studying abroad. If you’re interested in international experiences through DeSales University check out the Study Abroad & International Opportunities or you can contact Brian MacDonald, the Director of International Learning, at Brian.MacDonald@desales.edu or 610.282.1100, ext. 1510.