My best piece of advice for future study abroad students is to have an open mind. I really like to make plans and stick to them, but things do not always follow through. For example, I was really looking forward to visiting Machu Picchu while in Peru, but we were unable to fly into Cuzco. We were all devastated, but we had more time to get to know each other while we were waiting at the airport and exploring Lima. While I definitely would have loved to go to Machu Picchu and I am disappointed that we could not, I am grateful for the memories I made with the other students on my trip. There are always things that are out of your control when you study abroad, so try to look on the positive side of every situation. For students traveling to countries that do not speak English, I would encourage you to become familiar with the language of the country. I have studied Spanish for over 6 years, but the accent and slang differs from country to country. I think I would have been more confident speaking with the native people if I was more familiar with their dialect. As far as packing goes, light is always better. Although I like to be over prepared for everything, traveling with less bags is less work and less stress (and less expensive!). Try not to over stuff your bags to save room for souvenirs, too! I like to bring clothes that I can mix and match, so I can wear new outfits without bringing many clothes. It’s also important to look up the local weather and styles. You want your clothes to be appropriate for the culture and the climate. Overall, studying abroad is an incredible experience and it goes by really fast, so make the most of the time you have!
