How to Make the Most of Your Summer Abroad Experience
Summer Abroad is an exciting time for students as they have many things to look forward to and shares a common desire to get a lot out of their experience. Here are some tips from our Summer Abroad Assistant, Helen, to help you make your Summer Abroad a rewarding experience.
Learn basic phrases. Locals appreciate it when you attempt to speak in their language! Simple phrases such as "Hello" and 'Thank You" goes a long way when engaging with locals.
For example, I made sure to study key Japanese phrases such as “Excuse Me” and “Thank You” before going to Japan. When a complicated situation took place with my luggage being missing in the middle of the transfer to my hotel in Kyoto, I used the Translate app on my Apple Watch to translate between English and Japanese. I found that my efforts into using this app and speaking simple phrases helped the locals open up to me and provide me the kind support that I needed.
Keep a journal. Log your experiences and reflect upon your journey abroad. Consider decorating your journey with stickers or stamps that reflect the culture or historical landmarks of the host country. Having a record of your experiences may even be helpful for future job interviews with potential employers when you remember what you want to share with them such as the transferable skills you have learned in your Summer Abroad course.
As an avid stationery enthusiast, I like keeping a traveller's notebook on me whenever I travel to a different country and collect souvenir stickers of landmarks along the way. A small notebook and pen are enough to make your travels fun to record and keep!
Step outside of your comfort zone. Try new foods or activities to create memorable experiences. By pushing past your fears, you're growing and expanding your worldview.
Explore off the beaten path. Spend some time exploring on the road less traveled. Go to local neighbourhoods, take public transport, and embrace a more relaxed pace of travel. You may be surprised to spontaneously discover hidden gems along the way!
For instance, everyone who has been to Las Vegas must have already explored The Strip in downtown. However, I decided to explore a less touristy destination by taking a road trip to Valley of Fire. In the end, I’m happy I took gorgeous photos of this stunning scenery!
Share your experiences with others. Engage in meaningful conversations with your loved ones about your journey ahead. Perhaps recommend them must-visit places if they want to go to that country in the future. I recommend creating your trip itinerary on an app called Wanderlog and sharing it with your friends and family.
