Tuesday, 13 October 2009

  • Advice About Studying Abroad

    I am super excited about my first study abroad trip, however I do very little traveling.

    I'm from Georgia and the furthest I've been is Arizona when i was 10.  I'm going to Italy this May for a business study abroad trip provided by the college I attend.

    It's for 14 days and my trip only includes breakfast, so I have to pay for my own lunch and dinner.

    We'll be visiting Rome, Florence and Milan.

    Does anyone have any suggestions or tips when it comes to study abroad?

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Comments (11)

  • sarahzthoughts@xanga

    Weird, I'm studying abroad in Florence next year too! I'll be there from January till May though.
  • dancesmilelaughwithme@lovelyish

    I've never done this, although my fiance has; that's how I met him. I am hoping to study in Spain in a few years though.
    You're really lucky to have this experience! It's  so awesome to go somewhere far away from home, you'll learn a lot not only through the college but with the culture and the people there.

  • ashleyannaka@xanga

    I studied abroad in the Dominican Republic this past summer and it was AMAZING! I really want to go abraod again.

    Advice: Plan ahead if things aren't already planned for you. Look for some things you may want to see and do (especially since your time is limited) and go do them. I regret not going a couple of places I could have gone in the DR had I planned ahead a little better.
    Do you have transportation provided? If not, figure out how you're going to get around. This took some getting used to in the DR for me.
    Are you staying with a Host Family? If so, talk to them. They can help you out a LOT.

    General international travel: Get to the airport early. It takes a while to get through security and all that.

    I'm not really sure what other advice to offer, but have a great trip and I know it'll be an awesome experience for you!
  • eowynnabeeowyn@xanga

    if you have time, i suggest a quick trip to Pisa, to see the leaning tower -- it's an hour from Florence by train, and an obvious must-see. if you visit the Vatican, watch out for gypsies.


    pack small travel bottles of shampoo and facewash, etc., anything that you will use up while there, because you can toss the empty bottles and pack souveneirs on the way back instead.


    if you need to bring medication or medical equipment, HAVE A SIGNED DOCTOR'S NOTE.  even for an inhaler, pills, etc., because you don't want to get stopped in customs or something and have to throw out expensive medication.  i once got hassled for my asthma machine even WITH the note.


    definitely get one of those money belts that go under your jeans, or around your neck and under your shirt: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=money+belt+travel&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3173910267&ref=pd_sl_7xqmguomoa_b. i carried a purse too, but always, always ALWAYS keep your passport in that money belt or locked up in your hotel and hidden.  if you lose that, you're screwed, especially considering you're only going to be there a short time.  italy is supposedly notorious for pickpocketing, and those money belts a) are invisible under clothes, b) are much more fashionable and safer than a fanny pack, and c) can be worn even while sleeping (especially useful if you plan on visiting any hostels).


    be prepared to leave a tip if you use the public bathrooms. invest in hand sanitizer and possibly one of those filtering water bottles (otherwise be prepared to buy bottled water there).  when in Florence, eat yourself stupid on pasta and gelato. throw a penny in the trevi or you'll kick yourself for YEARS after if you don't. and i don't have any advice on Milan, as i've never been there, but... Have fun!!!!
  • Seen_More_Spine_in_Jellyfish@xanga

    @eowynnabeeowyn@xanga - OMG thank you so much for all your advice. I met today with my professors at our study abroad fair, and one mentioned me about the gypsies. He also informed me no one speaks English, so hopefully i can get some sayings in. I got 8 months to learn lol. Smart thinking about throwing away my shampoo bottles .. etc so have room for my gifts. We're staying like 3 to 5 days in each city, Rome, Florence and Milan. My professor already too me as well how serious pick-pocketing in Italy can be.
  • Seen_More_Spine_in_Jellyfish@xanga

    @ashleyannaka@xanga - We're only stayin for 2 weeks, and its in hotels, so i wont with a family and the cost of the trip includes ground transportation as well. They have everything planned out too. lol! Thanks though for your advice and sharing your experience!
  • violetti_taivas@xanga

    Milan is not the best city they could choose actually. It's very grey
    and the Duomo is always "under construction" (all the times I'm been
    there I couldn't see it all!) while I hope you'll be able to visit some
    museums that are probably the best things there. I would have chosen
    Bologna over Milan actually. Bologna is not grey and depressing as
    Milan...it has lovely (and cheaper) places to shop...it has better
    food, too. (the city of tortellini!! <3) But anyway...maybe someday
    you'll see it too!

    Yep, gypsies are a problem in here. If you visit a city, never put your cellphone/wallet on the table, keep it in your pocket. Don't use backpacks that open easily...I actually would recommend a big shoulder bag (the one that leans against the side of your hip..).
    Then, while you walk don't mind people that try to stop you asking for a sign or anything similar (some would say that are doing it for children, aids, breast cancer and bla bla bla...they only want money for themselves).
    Be very careful, as you are a girl, with men/teens. Never accept anything from them...they may seem very kind ("oh I know where you have to go..I'll take you there..") but rape lately has become an issue.
    Beware of group of kids, too. It may seem paranoid but the news here are unbelievable at times.
    Oh and, while in Rome, be careful in restaurants or bars...the cost of many things may vary only because you are not italian...so before paying look at the prices. And be careful.

    Living here is hell =___= a trip can be very fun but let me tell you that there's a reason why I'm about to move!

  • Seen_More_Spine_in_Jellyfish@xanga

    @violetti_taivas@xanga - im kind of hoping some guys will go on this trip, so far i've seen alot of girls interested. I am a little paranoid being a small girl, im like 5'2 103lbs ya know? My professor told me that ppl there go as far as to stick something on their finger and prick a kid, in order to make the kid cry so it grabs your attention and you give money.
  • Swhatley@xanga

    Be adventurous. Try things that you won't be able to try at home. Take risks (though not legal ones). Do things outside your comfort zone.
  • FreeeVerse@xanga

    I've studied in Spain, and I enjoyed it to the max. All I can say is, don't be afraid to try things you've never done before (except criminal things, of course ). And just HAVE FUN. Only don't forget to study!

  • tigerdauphin@xanga

    Venture out on your own for a day or two.  Make yourself depend on the charities of strangers.  Explore and have fun.  Always have a stash for emergency of course but don't touch that money unless you have to.  Visit small towns and just enjoy a day in the life of real Italians, even if it's just buying food/sweets from local shops, sitting in a sidewalk cafe.

    I spent 4 months in Lyon, France.  Here are some things I learned, give it a read if you'd like.

    http://tigerdauphin.xanga.com/713239348/my-sojourn-in-france/

    Good luck, and please blog about it so I can read some more.

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