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Travel Tip: Don’t be afraid to make language mistakes. Some of my best laughs ever are from either making a language faux pas myself, or hearing others make them. Some things are universally funny and when laughed over together, can result in a humor bond that can last a lifetime.
Travel Tip: Find water and jump right in. Literally. There is something about being in the water that helps me get my mind to slowdown, settle in and get ready for adventure. So remember to take it slow, you will see more and feel more , which will deepen your experience.
Travel Tip: Whatever it takes, make it happen. And once you get overseas, make the most of it. Take every opportunity you have to spend time with locals – the experiences that always prove to be the most memorable are the ones that involve genuine interactions with others.
Travel Tip: Expect the unexpected. Expect your plans to change. Stay flexible and laugh. Always laugh. Even when you cry, find the laughter.
Travel Tip: Leave yourself lots of free time and don’t over-book your days. Whether it is a short vacation or a semester abroad, try to avoid the impulse to plan every free hour or weekend. Give yourself one goal per day and let the rest happen naturally because I can almost guarantee that your favorite memories are going to happen when you least expect them.
Travel Tip: Get off the beaten path whenever you can and explore. Leave yourself some extra time to take the long way home. Be safe and all, but getting lost in a new place can be a great way to stumble into interesting experiences and people. Making your way back to your home base is a great way to build confidences in your new environs.
Travel Tip: When I lost my phone when I landed in Spain for the first time, I thought it was the end of the world. I realized that the experiences I had without being distracted or taking photos was a gift. Remember to be present in your journeys!
Travel Tip: Explore the local cuisine! I always tend to do a little research in advance about what foods are unique to the region and seek them out – it really helps me to feel more connected to the community that I’m visiting.
Travel Tip: Don’t be afraid to make language mistakes. Some of my best laughs ever are from either making a language faux pas myself, or hearing others make them. Some things are universally funny and when laughed over together, can result in a humor bond that can last a lifetime.
Travel Tip: I first learn about a new culture through food. I try to understand what truly “local” dishes are and then find a “typical” place (non-tourist) at which to eat them. This has led to some of my most memorable experiences abroad.
Travel Tip: Play a sport or game with the locals. Jumping into a pickup soccer game or any local game is a great way to connect regardless of what language everyone speaks. Everyone loves to play, join them!
Travel Tip: When ever I arrive in a new country or city I am sure to take a taxi to my first destination form the airport and while in the taxi I ask as many questions as I can of the taxi driver to get a feel for what’s going on in whatever city I have just arrived in.
Travel Tip: Grab your favorite tunes, find a park or cafe, and just take it all in . . . and sign off of all social media devices.
Travel Tip: Expect the unexpected. Expect your plans to change. Stay flexible and laugh. Always laugh. Even when you cry, find the laughter.
Travel Tip: I always carry my travel journal along with colored pencils and a glue stick. When I have down time at the airport, train station, or a cafe, I’ll draw pictures, write notes, glue ticket stubs, postcards, receipts, and anything that will remind future me of the amazing trip I’m on!
Travel Tip: Taking photos is fun but try a week or just a day without using your camera. You might find that you have more unforgettable memories and fewer all-too-forgettable pictures. Great photos of the Taj Mahal are everywhere, but you only get one memory of seeing it for the first time.
Travel Tip: If traveling with others, try to carve out some time to do something by yourself. Relish in that moment. You might be surprised to discover or experience something new that you will appreciate either about yourself or this new place. Watch the sunrise, visit a bookstore, take a drop-in class…
Travel Tip: The unexpected will happen. Turn the stress into an adventure and a story!
Travel Tip: Don’t wait around for your friends to join you. Solo travel is one of the most exciting and empowering things you can do. You’ll learn so much about yourself and get the chance to meet new friends all across the globe!
Travel Tip: Whatever it takes, make it happen. And once you get overseas, make the most of it. Take every opportunity you have to spend time with locals – the experiences that always prove to be the most memorable are the ones that involve genuine interactions with others.
Travel Tip: Grab your favorite tunes, find a park or cafe, and just take it all in . . . and sign off of all social media devices.
Travel Tip: Go where the locals go for a more authentic experience. Ask people where they go when they go when they want to dine out with friends, see a show, explore nature, etc.
Travel Tip: Explore locally. Don’t overbook your trips to other countries while abroad – sometimes the most beautiful hidden gems and most meaningful connections are right around the corner from you in your host community! Take your first weekends to pretend you are a tourist in your new home, and your last weekends to walk around with the eyes of a new local citizen!
Travel Tip: Have a plan, but embrace spontaneity. Having an itinerary gives you peace of mind and an idea of where you want to go and what you want to see. But the most memorable experiences end up being the unplanned ones. That hole in the wall restaurant you stumble upon or that festival you accidentally go to, will be the memories you cherish most.
Travel Tip: Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.
Travel Tip: Have a plan, but embrace spontaneity. Having an itinerary gives you peace of mind and an idea of where you want to go and what you want to see. But the most memorable experiences end up being the unplanned ones. That hole in the wall restaurant you stumble upon or that festival you accidentally go to, will be the memories you cherish most.
Travel Tip: Make sure to explore the city that you’re in! Although the beauty of study abroad is you have the chance to travel all over the country and to other countries as well, sometimes people forget how many amazing things there are right there in the city they’re studying in! Make some local friends, participate in holidays and festivals, find that local beloved restaurant. Although I have many travel memories to talk about, some of my fondest or most nostalgic moments I have were the ‘in betweens’ so to speak – going grocery shopping with friends, hanging out in the school courtyard at night when the temperature outside was finally bearable, saying hello to the neighborhood cow (yes, there was in fact a neighborhood cow). Don’t neglect what you have right in front of you!
Travel Tip: Studying abroad can seem slightly intimidating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the language. However, force yourself to meet new people, take part in cultural activities, and practice the language regardless of the many errors you may end up making. You’ll find that you’ve discovered new things about yourself and others.
Travel Tip: My favorite thing to do when I travel to a new city is to do an airbnb or getyourguide food tour of some kind- it really helps you to see how the locals eat and drink and gives you insight into their culture.
Travel Tip: Find water and jump right in. Literally. There is something about being in the water that helps me get my mind to slowdown, settle in and get ready for adventure. So remember to take it slow, you will see more and feel more , which will deepen your experience.
Travel Tip: Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.
Travel Tip: If there are free walking tours at your destination, take advantage on your first day! It helps to acclimate you to your new surroundings, gives you ideas on what to check out further, starts you making new friends, and beats the jetlag! Don’t forget to tip your guide well!
Travel Tip: Bring comfy shoes as Buenos Aires is very walkable. A great pastime is simply walking the city with no time restriction or plans. Also, get used to saying hi with a hug and a kiss.
Travel Tip: Get outside, take your time to walk around the streets of your new city or neighbourhood – get a feel for the people and what makes it unique. I love getting up early and exploring a new destination as it ‘wakes up’- it is an amazing time of the day to see a city or town slowly come to life.
Travel Tip: Dont limit yourself to the more popular tourist spots. There are tons of lesser known places that are beautiful and rich in culture where you can really experience what Costa Rica is all about!
Travel Tip: Whether ordering from an open air stall or a restaurant, always remember to say good day (dobrý den) and thank you (děkuji). Czechs will welcome your effort and will be more helpful and perhaps even give you a smile.
Travel Tip: Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and home to 14 different indigenous nationalities. Be prepared to experience new landscapes, aromas, tastes, sounds and people. Respect the places and the people you will be with and never stop learning!
Travel Tip: If while traveling there’s no internet, embrace it. Play a card game with someone in the hostel common room, read a book, lie on the beach, go for a walk, talk to a stranger, think about life. Some of my favourite travel memories are from times when I didn’t have an Internet connection.
Travel Tip: When choosing places to travel, venture to locations with a culture entirely different than your own, where the language, food, behaviors, traditions, ways of thinking, and ways of working and living are totally foreign to you. The experience will be transformative in good ways and stay with you for a lifetime.
Travel Tip: Plan ahead of your program! Do your research and reach out to our Alumni to make the most of your time in Scotland. There are so many free and affordable activities, including public galleries and museums, live music sessions, open-to-roam landscape, and a great range of clubs and societies on and off campus!
Travel Tip: To really experience local culture, no matter where you are in the world, always watch where the locals go for lunch – they usually go for the best local cuisine at the most affordable prices. Also, always be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut.
Travel Tip: Whenever I arrive in another country, I try to look for a very local restaurant where real residents of the town usually eat. Such spots may not have any distinguishable sign or decent interiors, but the reward is delicious food and welcoming locals. Just by going even slightly off the beaten path, you are oftentimes rewarded with a better value and cultural insights.
Travel Tip: Slow down! Before jet setting off to multiple countries, take time to get to know the place you decided to call home for the next few months. The best travel experiences occur when you meet locals and learn about activities that aren’t in your guidebook.
Travel Tip: Looking for a cool and exciting way to explore Bangkok? The whole city used to be based around canals, so jumping on a boat gives you a way to get out of the traffic and experience the real Bangkok.
Travel Tip: Looking for a cool and exciting way to explore Bangkok? The whole city used to be based around canals, so jumping on a boat gives you a way to get out of the traffic and experience the real Bangkok.
Travel Tip: To travel is to live, to learn, to love. To gain empathy, make connections and seek growth both within and without. So pack light, go with a full heart and leave with nothing but footprints, memories and kindness.
Travel Tip: Don’t be afraid to travel alone! Doing this can really challenge you, but you will learn so much not only about yourself and your interests but you’ll really immerse yourself in the culture you are in.
Travel Tip: Travel with an open heart and an open mind. Temporarily step away from your own culture to experience something new.
Travel Tip: I recommend that you try to learn a few basic phrases in any new country you go to. Things like saying hello, thank you, goodbye, or ordering a coffee in the local language make a big difference to locals and show them that you appreciate and respect their culture.
Travel Tip: Let the new world take you, not as an outsider, but as an insider! Small children adapt and learn basic human language by interacting with just about everything. Open your mind to new cultures by finding that curious child in you, and you can construct your own learning adventure!
Travel Tip: Making friends is key. The first thing I do when I get to a new place is find events that are going on. Ask locals, join social media groups, pay attention to posters and signs. Then attend all of them.
Travel Tip: Leave yourself lots of free time and don’t over-book your days. Whether it is a short vacation or a semester abroad, try to avoid the impulse to plan every free hour or weekend. Give yourself one goal per day and let the rest happen naturally because I can almost guarantee that your favorite memories are going to happen when you least expect them.
Travel Tip: Get off the beaten path whenever you can and explore. Leave yourself some extra time to take the long way home. Be safe and all, but getting lost in a new place can be a great way to stumble into interesting experiences and people. Making your way back to your home base is a great way to build confidences in your new environs.
Travel Tip: Find a good trail outdoors and don’t be afraid to try the local foods!
Travel Tip: The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!
Travel Tip: Walk, walk, walk, whenever you can! And take your time. You might find the most special surprises on your way to destination.
Travel Tip: Hoping to meet locals but you’re a bit shy? Oftentimes a simple conversation starter is all it takes! Just opening your mouth to help them realize that you speak their language or are curious about them can kickstart sustained conversation. Once you realize there is so much for you to learn from locals and vice-versa, your shyness can be overcome by curiosity.
Travel Tip: When I lost my phone when I landed in Spain for the first time, I thought it was the end of the world. I realized that the experiences I had without being distracted or taking photos was a gift. Remember to be present in your journeys!
Travel Tip: Explore the local cuisine! I always tend to do a little research in advance about what foods are unique to the region and seek them out – it really helps me to feel more connected to the community that I’m visiting.