Hey there world travelers! First, congratulations on making it to this point. You found a study abroad program that will take you across the world and allows you to explore your academic interests. You applied, paid that deposit, attended that orientation, wrote that scholarship essay, and now you’re about to leave (or maybe you already have!).

For those of you still in the packing and preparation phase, here are 10 Travel Hacks that I’ve picked up along the way.

  1. Safety first! Tell Uncle Sam where you’ll be, just in case.
    • Be sure to enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s STEP program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). This is so easy, and is one of the best things you can do in case of emergency. Simply enter your contact information, travel dates and foreign address (or multiple addresses) into your STEP account. If anything out of the ordinary happens or may happen in the area in which you’re traveling, the State Department will contact you and provide advice and information. They’ll also notify your parents or another emergency contact you provide.
  2. Pack light, those cobblestone streets are no joke.Rolling_luggage_LL
    • Confession: I have a love-hate relationship with cobblestone streets. They’re gorgeous, unique and make my travel pictures oh so whimsical. But once you’ve dragged a 50 pound “rolling” suitcase a mile and a half down the streets of Paris as the wheels get caught in every divot and you’re out of strength because of jet lag…. Well, you wish you had packed one or two fewer shoes. AND, don’t you want to bring back cool souvenirs from your travels? Pack light, conquer the cobblestone and by some souvenirs for mom and pop. 
  3. Ziploc bags are your new best friend.
    • Here’s a shameless plug for my favorite store, TJ Maxx. They sell plastic travel bags for your clothes, like a really large Ziploc. Not only does this dramatically increase the space you’ll have in your suitcase, it also keeps your clothes smelling fresher. (Throw a dryer sheet in the bag for extra freshness).
  4. Know where to go! Follow the blue dot 
    Lost in Uruguay? No problem.
    Lost in Uruguay? No problem.
    • This may be the most important travel hack, y’all. Download the Google Maps app on your phone and before you leave (or while you have Wi-Fi) download the city maps for every place you’ll travel. And because Google is magic, the blue dot will still appear, telling you exactly where you are. It even tells you which way your phone is pointing!
  5. Invest in a good, ole-fashioned guidebook.
    • Or if you’re really hip, download a guidebook on your kindle. When you get off the plane at your new destination, YOU will be the foreigner. How people eat, speak, greet each other, and more will be VERY different. Your goal is not only to understand and appreciate these differences in culture, but to also adapt to them. Historical and cultural context will greatly help as you learn to adapt to a new culture. Hence, your trusty guidebook.
  6. Minimize your social media use (I dare you) and stay present!
    • texting We’ve all been guilty of allowing social media to pull us away from the present and into our own world of “virtual friends”. Create and define a balance between staying connected to your friends and family, and being fully present where you are – in a new, exciting country! Select specific times to catch up on social media and leave the rest of your time for exploring and learning about this new culture you’re experiencing.
  7.  If you desperately need Wi-Fi…. Find the golden arches or the green mermaid.
    • It pains me to even type this because I’m a foodie and a coffee snob, and I never ever ever go to these places in the states. BUT if you need free Wi-Fi, McDonald’s and Starbucks will never let you down. Just please don’t tell my coffee friends I said this.
  8. Ask a local and you’ll eat like a local
    • In my opinion, eating local cuisine is one of the greatest adventures of traveling. Find a local – maybe it’s your guide, the bakery owner, the hotel manager, or IMG_9325a random lady on the street. Ask them about the best places to eat in the city, and you won’t be disappointed.
  9. Believe for the best but be prepared for anything.
    • Travel Truth #1: Your plans will change, no matter how prepared you may be. Don’t let this stress you out and ruin the experience! Maintain a good attitude, be flexible and enjoy the journey. When traveling, your passport is the most important thing you own. Keep it with you at all times (unless it’s locked safely in your room), and bring a color copy of your picture page with you, just in case.
  10. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
    • Respect is a crucial component for any successful study abroad program. Respect the culture, the people and the sites you’ll visit in order to really appreciate and enrich your experience.
    • Respect your professors – they havIMG_1086e invested a TON of their time into your program, simply because they care.
    • Respect your classmates and you’ll come away with lifelong friends.

Whether it’s your first time out of the country or you’re a seasoned world traveler, I hope your study abroad experience is truly fulfilling, both academically and personally. Do you have a travel hack? Share it in the comments below!

And don’t forget to use #AgDawgAbroad in your (limited number of) social media posts!