Making Plans and Embracing Unexpected Joys: How to Make the Most of Your Summer Abroad

As a long, harsh winter draws to an end and exam season looms around the corner, it’s a prime time to procrastinate final assignments by booking flights and dreaming about your summer plans. I’m not endorsing the neglect of schoolwork, of course, but if you need a break from studying, or something to look forward to beyond the seemingly endless pool of deadlines, now is a great time to start thinking about planning your Summer Abroad experience. While each program has built-in field trips to complement your studies, you will also have lots of downtime to explore your destination, so it’s worth thinking about how you might want to fill this time. Every location has its own unique charms, tourist attractions and iconic foods to try, but if you don’t know where to start when it comes to brainstorming your Summer Abroad plans, here are a few guiding principles to consider:

1. Though this may sound a bit contradictory, sometimes no plan is the best plan. As someone who likes to plan ahead, my first instinct before travelling is to create a detailed list of all the destinations I want to visit and all the things I want to accomplish. Of course, it’s good to do some research ahead of time, especially if some of the activities that interest you require purchasing tickets or making bookings ahead of time. However, as I learned last summer, Summer Abroad can also bring all kinds of unexpected joys that can shape your plans as you go. Making new friends and stumbling upon unknown places may not be factored into your initial plan, but these serendipitous happenings can quickly transform itineraries into unique and memorable experiences. 

2. Let your learning take you outside the classroom. Building on the last point, sometimes content from your daily lectures can give rise to unique and unexpected opportunities that design an itinerary for you. Last year, after a particularly engaging guest lecture, my friend and I contacted the professor who gave the lecture and expressed interest in hearing more about her research. She was kind enough to arrange a meeting, and we got to visit her office in Beijing University, a trip that doubled as both an educational experience and a sightseeing opportunity to see the historic campus. If there is a particular topic or lecture that piques your interest, don’t hesitate to seek out opportunities that can take your learning to the next level! 

   

3. Know your limits. It can be tempting to want to cram as many activities as possible into your trip to make the most of your time abroad. Indeed, for some, packed schedules and constant activity may be the best approach to make the most of their experience. But personally, as someone who is quite introverted, I knew that going out with friends every single day would quickly deplete my social battery. Knowing when to say no and embarking on the occasional solo date helped me maintain my energy throughout the trip, so when I did go out with friends, I could be fully present and make the most of it. Additionally, many destinations are very hot and humid during the summer, so consider your heat tolerance as well. If you are sensitive to the heat, or get sunburnt easily, plan accordingly and consider moving outdoor activities to cooler days, or replacing them with indoor activities.
    
    
4. Remember to experience it through your own eyes, not just through a phone screen. Getting to travel to another country for a whole month of the summer is a wonderful experience, and you will no doubt want to document it for your family, friends, and future self. But it’s all too easy to get caught up in capturing the moment for the camera, and forget to experience it in real time.

Whatever your Summer Abroad plans end up looking like, whether you choose to make a detailed itinerary or go with the flow, don’t forget to be present - so that next year, when the harsh winter rolls around, you’ll have vivid summer memories to keep you warm until the spring ⭒