17 Tips You Should Hear and Apps You Should Download Before Studying Abroad

Preparing to study abroad can be overwhelming. You're probably still taking other classes and trying to balance homework with VISA applications, packing, and so much more. There is so much to think about when you move to another country and even more blogs that will list out all the things they think you should pack and do, but here are some of the helpful tips that I didn't find beforehand and wished I knew.

1. The VISA process is very tricky and painful at times, but it is so worth it! Just start early and make sure you get to the screen with the receipt and the filled-in application form before going to your appointment. Sometimes, the site malfunctions and will not show this screen. If you go to the VISA center without those specific documents, they will turn you away. I would start the process early in case you run into trouble.

2. Also with the VISA process, make sure you will not need your passport for a few weeks after your appointment because they will mail it off to get the VISA directly after your appointment.

3. Pack simple clothes that can be layered and, therefore, worn in many different outfits, so you never get tired of them. If there is something that you could layer but hardly wear, don't bother packing it. You probably still won't wear it much, even when you have fewer things to chose from.

4. Try to only pack one large suitcase, a carry-on, and a backpack. It will make transportation to and from the airport much easier, and will leave you with some room to bring souvenirs back. It will also prevent you from packing too much more than you need. I know it seems impossible to fit enough things for a whole semester into one suitcase, but it is much easier than it seems. Weight will probably be the harder part.

5. You might not enjoy the food that your host family or city eats, but eat it anyway because you will be able to eat your usual food soon enough. It is best to fully immerse yourself in the culture and experience how the people there live.

6. If you do not speak the country's main language, learn at least a couple phrases to use as often as possible. It really does help you get around the country. Even if most people speak a little English, speaking their language will make them more willing to help you. Plus, it is just respectful to try in their country, and learning a language never hurts!

7. Take advantage of the warmer, non-rainy days to explore the city and spend time outdoors with friends from your program or your host family. Once the weather starts getting not so nice, the days go by much faster because it gets dark earlier and people are less interested in spending lots of time outside. Plus, if your mode of transportation is biking, even indoor activities will become less frequent because people will not want to bike in the cold or rain as often.

8. If your city is bike-friendly, consider renting a bike. Lots of people in other countries commute to and from work or school by bike, and doing so makes you feel great. Not only do you get to be more active, but you are also saving money, exploring the city in a more authentic way every time you go places, and you are living like a local. Also, not having to pay each time you go out like you would if you took the tram or bus makes you more likely to go out and experience the city.

9. Take recommendations from your host family or program director. They live in your host city and will have great ideas of what is beautiful or fun nearby. This is yet another way to experience the culture; you will see what people from your host city value and enjoy.

10. Most study abroad programs and classes assign a significantly lower homework load. That is not to say that you will spend less time in class or working. I spent many hours in class every week, but I had less work to do outside of class. I also did not have any classes on Mondays, which was not true for everyone in my program by the way, so I also had a more convenient schedule for traveling on weekends.

11. Take advantage of the train system. On days when you do not have afternoon classes, you can explore nearby towns. A train ticket to a town nearby will only cost about $7 and will allow you to get a better feel for the region you are living in. Look into the various train passes available if you plan to travel a lot. I bought SNCF's Carte Jeune for 49 euros, and it is good for a year. It gave me at least 30 percent off every train ticket I bought and gave me special access to other tickets. I quickly made up for the money I spent. There are many other train passes to look into, but I did lots of research going into my semester and found this was the best one for students going to France because it doesn't require a monthly payment or a French bank account and it works throughout Europe. There are many train passes, though, so definitely look into several and decide which is best for you.

12. Also take advantage of the fact that you are a student. If you are in Europe, especially, there are many student deals that can be accessed using your student ID. Admission into many tourist sites and museums will be free or about half-price with your ID. Some places give a smaller discount, but I commonly received a half-off discount. Even some restaurants will have student deals.

13. Hostels will become your best friend. It almost seems like a requirement that study abroad students travel to other countries. Why wouldn't you when you can find $20 flights to other countries? Some flights will end up being more than that, but others will be cheaper. The point is, you will and should travel while abroad because it will be so much cheaper than flying from the US. To save money, stay in hostels. Still be careful, but most travelers are incredibly friendly and helpful. Sharing a room with strangers sounds weird, but I have never had a bad experience with a hostel. Just look at the reviews on the hostel world app or web site to find one that fits what you're looking for, and make sure it is located near the city center. You want to maximize your time there, and you'll already be walking a lot to save money and see more!

14. This one is a given, but take lots of pictures. You can always delete pictures, but you can't go back and capture a moment after it passes. At the same time, don't ruin a moment by only taking pictures. Take pictures and then put your phone or camera away to just enjoy the moment.

15. Write down memories. I did a bullet journal for every day. Journaling gets hard to keep up with, so keep it simple. It doesn't even have to be every day, but write the extra special memories down. It'll be worth it to look back on later in life but also right at or after the end of the semester.

16. When you get photos taken for your VISA and/or passport, bring the extras with you. If you end up getting a train pass, you will need to attach a photo to it in order for it to be valid. There will be photo booths around certain cities or in most train stations, but it will save you some money and possibly from waiting in line.

17. Having a credit card is an absolute must. You always want several options when it comes to how you pay because international payments are quirky. Sometimes, your card will be accepted. Other times, it will be rejected at the same exact place. In that case, you will need another form of payment. When you choose a credit card, find ones that will be accepted across Europe. One that does not include international fees or that reimburses ATM withdraws is especially favorable. DISCOVER cards are not widely accepted, so try to find a VISA or mastercard.

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The Absolutely Essential Travel Apps

1. Rome2Rio

This app will show you all the means of transportation you can take to travel between places near or far and their expected duration and price. It also links you to the site to the buy the tickets when applicable. While lots of websites will just mention bus companies or taxis for airport transportation, this site/app will also show you if there is a public bus available. It is usually much cheaper.

2. SkyScanner

If you don't get any of the other apps on this list, get this one. This app will search all of the airfare websites and show the cheapest and fastest options. The best part about this app is that it can help you decide where to go. You can enter "everywhere" into the destination category, and it will pull up some of the cheapest places you could go. Make sure to try searches with each of the airports around you to make sure you are getting the best option!

3. Trainline

For closer trips or for taking trains to the airport, this site and app will search all of the trains and, sometimes, buses that go between your two destinations. There is an EU version and a US version, so this app will work in multiple destinations. Make sure to enter in the code from your train pass if you buy one to get the best price.

4. Student Universe

This is not an essential for while you are abroad but more for getting there. Skyscanner will be your best bet while abroad, but Student Universe offers reduced airfare to students. Check other sites, too, because it is not always the best, but I've found tickets 100 dollars less than anywhere else there before.

5. Hostel World

As mentioned before, hostels will be your best friend, and this site is where you can read reviews, see how far they are from the city center, see pictures, and book them. Plus, it accepts Discover card unlike most places in Europe! Beware, though, that you will usually have to pay the remaining balance in cash once you reach the hostel. This site will only allow you to pay 10 percent online.

6. Wanderu

This app is my favorite for finding bus tickets. Flixbus will typically be the cheapest option in Europe, but this app searches all of the bus companies and will connect you with the sites to purchase the tickets when you find the one you want.

7. Mobile Passport

This app will be helpful when you return to the US. Not all airports offer it, but if you live near a large airport, you are likely to be able to use this. When you land in the US and will need to go through customs, you can fill out some information on here while waiting to get off the plane. Then, when everyone else has to wait in a long line to go through customs, you will get advanced to a short line of usually 5 people. The customs process is much simpler this way because you only have to show them this form, wait a bit for the officer to look over it all, and then be on your way. They will give you a card to show the officers after baggage claim, and you're off! This app will save you lots of time in customs!

8. FreeTour.com

This site will show you a wide variety of tours available in your destination. Not all destinations will yield results, but this app can be very helpful when results come up. If you are like me and would rather explore on your own than in a tour, you should still download this app. Inside of each tour description is a list of some its main sites. You can use this to find some popular attractions around that might not show up on Pinterest or other travel articles.

9. Airbnb

While hostels are great, if you end up traveling in a group, an airbnb will give you a homey area to spend time as a group and might end up being cheaper split amongst you all. The same tips apply as with hostels -- find one in a central location with good ratings.

11. Couchsurfing

I never personally used Couchsurfing, but I had friends who used it all the time, so I included it. This is in place of a hostel or an airbnb. This app lets you find hosts in your destination who will house you for free. They are often more than willing to spend time with you and show you around or give you ideas on what's best in the area. Like always, read ratings and find a place in a central location. Couchsurfing also has hosts who have paid to be verified with background checks and have had many visitors who left positive reviews, so you have less to worry about. I still never used it because I could always find a cheap hostel, but this has been a great option for some people I know.

12. Google Maps

Unless you are driving, Google Maps is my preferred mapping app. It gives directions for bikes which can be very helpful for commuting to and from work or school because some cities are very picky about which streets bikes can go on. It also has a feature that allows you to enter multiple destinations. This is great for planning a walking itinerary in a new city. You can enter all the attractions you want to visit and rearrange the order to find the most direct path between them all.

13. BlaBlaCar

This app is very popular in France, and I believe it is used across Europe. It is similar to Uber in that it is a ride share app, but it is much cheaper and is catered to the driver's needs. If a person is driving somewhere and has extra seats in their car, they can post how many seats are available, where they are going and leaving from, and how much they are asking for driving you. You can then read about the driver, their exact pick-up time and spot, message the driver any questions you have, and reserve your seat. This is an especially helpful option in France where strikes are quite frequent because this will still run even when trains, buses, and trams are not.