Bowen Humphreys, Grizzlies Abroad marketing intern, writes:
Ah, the typical “How to maximize your [insert life decision here]” spiel. But it is true; while you can bring home many unforgettable tales of your study abroad trip, there is a way you can slip a few more past customs. Here are a couple of tips I found out on my own study abroad experiences:
Hanging out: Ryan Behm from University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse (UWL), Bowen Humphreys from University of Montana (UM), Connor Hovsepian from UM and Jeff Reichling from UWL
Get to know everyone
If you were stuck on an island for three weeks with twenty-some-odd people you didn’t know, you’d want to get to know them, right? That’s exactly what a study abroad experience is. Sure, getting to know your classmates not only helps you survive the trip by grouping together to forage for good restaurants, but it also lets you enjoy your off time more. By knowing people in the program, you can find a group to go to that hip sushi place you heard of, and your new friends might also invite you to come on a hike you never heard of. Your opportunities are expanded drastically if you are friendly with everyone, and it makes it harder for group spats to occur.
Get work done quickly
Don’t procrastinate! You don’t want to be the one who has to study while your friends go experience the nightlife. Make sure you use your time wisely so that you have as much free time as possible. Also, it’s hard to enjoy swimming with dolphins when you’re worried about a test.
Know your limits
Not to say you shouldn’t stay up late, but you need to get enough sleep. Not only can it hurt your academic performance, but it also puts you at risk of getting sick, which really is a bummer when everyone is out hiking and you’re stuck at the hotel by the toilet. There are just as many exciting things happening at the end of the program as the beginning, if not more, so make sure you stay healthy and know your limits.
Push your limits
It sounds hypocritical, but you should push your limits as well. By that I mean your comfort limit, not your health limit. A study abroad program is a chance to cross off twenty or more different things from your bucket list. Make the most of it! There are opportunities that you may never be able to find again, so get outside your comfort zone. It may be tough, but this allows you to bring back so many more memories. It also allows you to brag a bit more, so recognize those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, take them and then cross them off your list.
Bring back as many memories you can, because those are the ones that don’t add to the weight limit of your bag and customs agents can’t take them away!
