When I was 20, between my junior and senior years of undergrad, I was fortunate enough to join about ~100 other students from my college on a month-long study abroad. We spent two weeks in France, primarily Paris, as well as two weeks in London, England. While there, I finished my capstone class to graduate, but more importantly, I had an adventure that changed my life. These are just a few of the things, outside of advertising campaigns, that my study abroad taught me:
Do the thing that scares you. At the time, this meant going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. My roommate Megan and I had purchased tickets to go all the way up, but I am not a fan of heights. At the midway point, I was having a hard time, and she asked me if I wanted to stop there. Despite my fear, there was no way I was stopping there – I didn’t know the next time I’d be there to experience this! We went to the top, and it was breathtaking. I’m so glad I didn’t let my fear hold me back.
Eiffel Tower 
Versailles
Spend your money on experiences. I had saved up most of my money from my summer internship the previous year, as well as my part-time jobs to ensure I could go on this trip since I hadn’t been able to afford it the previous summer. With a little help from my mom’s tax return and a scholarship through my college, we made it work, and I am so grateful. I was able to visit Disneyland Paris and pose with the Mona Lisa, as well as ride along the Thames and see Wicked in the West End. I have very few “souvenirs,” but I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything.
Make your own plans. My flights for this trip were about $1,200, which is insane considering what I would pay for them now. However, that was and still is a normal enough price to get to and from Europe. I learned that I could save a large amount of money by being flexible and planning my adventures myself, though there is certainly a time and a place for a group tour. While studying abroad, I also made sure to look for student discounts wherever possible – don’t spend when you don’t have to!
Apollo Victoria Theatre 
Stonehenge 
King’s Cross
It’s okay to be uncomfortable. I would often flub through my French phrases as I tried to order from restaurants, and after just one “Bonjour” at Disney, I had a clerk ask me if English was easier. I was slow to count out my coins, figuring out euros just in time to switch to pounds, and I often struggled to figure out the metro and the tube. I was certainly uncomfortable, but it is when we’re uncomfortable that we grow. I am better for these experiences.
Try everything. And on that note, try everything! Did I have escargot and frog legs? You bet I did (Frog legs did not impress, but I do enjoy a garlicky escargot.). I made the most of my time in Europe and tried everything I could, even when it scared me – see point one – or it made me uncomfortable – see point four. That’s what travel is all about. Use your time abroad to test things out, take new adventures and learn a little bit more about both yourself and the world around you.
