Studying abroad is one of the more exciting things to experience in college. It gives you a chance to see the world while possibly earning college credit along the way. You learn about different cultures and become more aware of the world around you.

Most people regret the decision to not study abroad while they can. They regret not going out of their comfort zone and leaving for a new experience and large perspective. Although, all of this is wonderful, but before considering studying abroad, looking into where you want to go, for how long, and any other things that are necessary should be priority number one. Continue reading →

20 Helpful Tips for Pre-Study Abroad

“20 Helpful Tips for Pre-Study Abroad”

**by Samuel Buchanan via “Huffington Post“**

Preparing for a trip can be a laborious task, especially when you’re leaving your country. If you are studying abroad or planning to for the first time, you may have traveling anxiety. What will I do; where will I go; how will I survive? Don’t worry! Here are a few tips that will help you before takeoff.

Packing
If you’re anything like me, you probably want to pack everything you have in your luggage. Although well-intended (as you can never be too safe), cost and weight won’t permit you to do it. Therefore, you must Consolidate and Eliminate.

1. Do not pack every just-in-case-you-get-bored item.
2. Find 2-3 pairs of comfortable, multi-purpose shoes.
3. Learn how to mix-and-match 4-5 different outfits.
4. Pack lightly
5. Tightly fold clothes and/or buy compression bags.

Doing the aforementioned, will allow you to save both time and money. If you are still having trouble with deciding what to bring, there are some great YouTube videos for you to watch. See Travel Tips: How You Need to Pack to Study Abroad

Planning Your Adventure
When packing gets boring and the television is no longer entertaining, you will most likely be daydreaming about your trip. Though daydreaming what you could do can be… dreamy, it does not compare to what you will do. So, Stop Daydreaming and Start Planning your adventure.

6. Start planning for the things you will do.
7. Look up the activities your program offers.
8. Google things to do in [insert country here] and…
9. Do them!

In the words of Shia LaBeouf, “Just do it!” For a dream that is not actualized is only a fantasy.

Having the Right Attitude
For those individuals who like to guard themselves by thinking of . . . .

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How to Start Thinking About Study Abroad

“How to Start Thinking About Study Abroad”

**by Carmen Rising via “The Daily Texan“**

“Studying abroad may seem far away, but getting a head start on scholarship searches, visa applications and a list of must-try foods will help make your life easier when it comes time to actually go abroad. Living in a foreign country is an amazing experience, but life still happens, so start planning early.

Studying abroad may seem like something you’ll get around to do doing later in college, but it’s never too early to start planning. Upon graduating high school, I knew I wanted to study abroad during the spring of my sophomore year. I began doing research on programs, scholarships and best food locations about a year and a half before my anticipated departure. Though you may not study abroad until later in college, planning early will allow time for you to argue about credit transfers, buy a new wardrobe to face months of freezing weather and create a bucket list so you can hit the ground running with activities for your new life.

Given the amount of amazing countries to study in, it can be difficult to narrow it down to just one. To make life easier, think about what you want out of studying abroad and whether there is a specific academic subject on which you’d want to focus. I knew that I wanted to strengthen my French skills, so I chose to study from the self-proclaimed French language authorities at La Sorbonne in Paris, France. Heather Thompson, interim director of Study Abroad at UT, explained that many students start with a subject that interests them and then choose a country that has the best program for their interests. . . . .”