6 Items to Put on Your Study Abroad Bucket List

By Victoria Robertson on June 18, 2019

When it comes to studying abroad, there are a lot of ways in which you can fully immerse yourself in a new and exciting culture. That being said, most study abroad trips are what you make of them, so it’s important to have an itinerary of items you want to accomplish while you’re traveling.

With that in mind, here are six items to put on your study abroad bucket list so you can be sure you are making the most of your experience.

Photo Via: Pixabay.com

1. Do a Homestay

When studying abroad, you are typically put up in a hotel or similar living situation. However, as scary and new as it may seem, participating in a homestay is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have when studying abroad.

Homestays ensure you are fully immersed in the culture of the country you are visiting, not only seeing the daily life of the locals but also participating in daily local activities for yourself, which can completely change the way you change the world.

The experience is certainly rewarding, and it’s definitely something you’ll want to take advantage of if you can.

2. Take a Local Tour

Many of the more touristy events you can participate in when studying abroad don’t give you a true sense of the local culture. For that reason, taking part in a tour run by the locals is a good way to actually experience a new country.

While you’ll want to look into this further to ensure you’re taking a trip that’s safe and financially justifiable, this is one of the best ways to get a taste of the culture outside of the tourist bubble.

Photo Via: Unsplash.com

3. Try a New Cuisine

Many students make the mistake of sticking to what they know when traveling abroad. However, it’s important to also try new things, including new cuisines you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

For that reason, take a look at some local restaurants, do some research into what’s safe for you to eat if you’re not local and what isn’t, and be sure to try as many new things as you’re able to, as this is a great opportunity for you to try something new. And who knows, you may just find a food that you love and that will become your new favorite.

4. See a Local Performance

Try to limit the number of activities you perform inside the tourist bubble and venture out to see some local performances. When saying at a hotel and seeing a performance in the hotel, you likely aren’t seeing a true representative of the culture, but rather an idea of what that culture is.

When you venture out and see a performance, whether at a homestay or local gathering place, you’re getting a much more true version of what that culture is all about.

Photo Via: Unsplash.com

5. Do Some Local Shopping

If you have a little extra money to spend or need to bring home souvenirs for yourself and friends and family, avoid shopping anywhere that’s familiar or commercialized. Instead, hit up the local street shops or mom and pop shops to pick out some items that are truly unique.

Most items you find at these locations are going to be homemade and far more unique and interesting than the commercialized products you can get from any brand name store. Plus, it gives you a chance to converse with the locals and get a feel for the town that you’re in. So really, it’s a win-win!

6. Immerse Yourself in Nature

Finally, but definitely not the least important on this list, you should be immersing yourself in the nature of the location you’re visiting. While you’ll likely spend a lot of your time in towns and cities with the people, you should also take a look at your surroundings.

Many of these locations are gorgeous with plenty of nature to offer you, which is why you shouldn’t be ignoring it. Take a day trip to see some local landmarks or interesting/aesthetically pleasing locations, and you certainly won’t regret it. Remember that this is a bit of a vacation for you as well, so if you can take some time for yourself to be in nature, you’ll be happy you did.

Again, studying abroad is an experience unlike any other, but only if you’re willing to put in the work and truly experience new and exciting things. These six items are a great starting point for any study abroad trip, but also be sure to look into the specific location you will be visiting to add additional items that you can’t miss while you’re there.

No matter what, you’re going to have the experience of a lifetime, but these six items will ensure your trip is one you’re never going to forget.

Happy travels!

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