I’m in Another Country … Now What?
Firsthand study abroad tips, tricks & memories
By: Annie Frost
Since my freshman year of college, I have known I wanted to participate in a study abroad program through UF. As long as I can remember, “traveling” was on my list of hobbies, and I had an ongoing note of every place I wanted to go. Seemed like a plausible explanation.
One thing I didn’t know was that UF has SO many programs to choose from, and with that, the options can get overwhelming. Do I do a semester or a summer? Do I do a program for my major or something random? Where do I go? The choice in itself is difficult, but getting there and making sure you make the most of your experience is another.
So, to make your life easier, I asked my fellow Rowdy colleagues about their study abroad experience. Let's hear their (and my) shreds of wisdom for you!
Florence, Italy – UF Global Perspectives Program
I may be biased due to participating in this program myself, but it was genuinely the best six weeks of my life. A friend of mine, Kayla, also participated in Florence a year after me and shares the same admiration for the city. However, getting dropped in a foreign place with no direction can seem daunting, so Kayla and I have some must-dos.
One thing we both felt was a necessity is to take a class that interests you! Yes, you are in Italy, but we still need to focus on the “study” part.
Kayla took Food & Culture and said that learning how to cook while also working in a restaurant was such a fun, yet informative, class. I took Museum & Gallery Curation because I am an art museum lover at my core. I learned about all the aspects of what makes up a gallery, and my class even got to design one of our own!
Find something that piques your interest, so you can learn and have fun at the same time.
A piece of advice from my experience is to spend as much time exploring Florence as you do traveling on weekends. Yes, seeing different places is such an exciting thing, and it’s the best when you’re traveling with friends. However, some of my favorite days were spent walking around Florence, seeing what I could find and familiarizing myself with the city. It has a certain magic to it, and it’s simply not something you want to miss.
London, U.K. – University of the Arts London Summer Study Abroad: Intro to Business
Now, personally, I only got to visit London for a short bit during my study abroad experience, but it is a city full of excitement and culture. Four days was not enough, and I encourage everyone to visit there at least once.
Steffi, a fellow Rowdy member, wanted to share her insight on London study abroad. When it comes to memories, she had plenty, but her favorite was a My Chemical Romance concert. She reminisced on how she met a friend while abroad who was trying to get tickets to see them, and they ended up in the pit with cheap tickets. Steffi shared that it was a dream of hers to be in the pit for a band like MCR, and while abroad, dreams do come true.
When it comes to advice, Steffi shares that you should do your research before you get there. She feels it's important to learn about where you are going prior to arrival, and understanding the social norms while also planning activities. She shares regret that she didn’t do more research, therefore missing out on things she would’ve wanted to do. Steffi makes a good point when she says "Know everything you can about where you’re going!"
Zurich, Switzerland & Vienna, Austria – CJC in Zurich and Vienna
I got to spend some time in Switzerland, and I must say, you need to put it on your bucket list ASAP. Frolicking through the hills is, in fact, as cool as it looks. I am a huge "Sound of Music" fan, so this program seems up my alley.
Parmis, my lovely online editorial director, got to spend her time on both sides of the Alps while participating in this program. Her advice is simple: If you have the opportunity to go abroad, take it. I’ll even second that because it truly changes you for the better, and Parmis is an example of that. She said that going abroad helped her to realize her love of international business and goal of living in Europe at some point in the future!
Along with sharing her favorite memories, she also reminds us to explore different countries outside where you’re staying. She shared how exploring different cities with fellow students built bonds so special they all cried during their farewell dinner. I totally understand them; I was crying on my 7 a.m. train home. How special is it to have something that you miss so much.
Panama City, Panama – UF in Panama: Impacts on the Panama Canal
I unfortunately haven’t made it to Central America yet, but it seems like there are so many beautiful places to visit. I’ll have to add that one to my bucket list! Fortunately for you readers, a Rowdy member, Dani, has been to Panama and has lots to share about it.
Dani said one of her biggest pieces of advice was to get to know the people you’re going with beforehand and to start planning all the things you guys want to do while you're there! She explained that her program was only one week, which is perfect if you don’t want to be away for too long.
She looked back fondly on her week in Panama, talking about her close-knit group’s 11 p.m. dinner at a Chinese restaurant in the middle of Panama City. She said they were all huddled around, debating whether "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or "Legend of Korra" was better. That night, she discovered how passionate her fellow group members were, and it created a night of fun. Moral of the story: Find your group and make the most of your city!
To Sum It All Up: Do the Thing
Like I said at the beginning, studying abroad was a big dream of mine. I wholeheartedly mean it when I say that it changed my life for the better. Stepping out of your comfort zone and visiting a foreign country is scary, but oh my gosh is it worth it.
Step out of that box of comfort, if you have the opportunity, and go see the world. Book those trips. Meet all the people, fellow students and natives alike. Try the food!! Learn in a fun class. Make a few mistakes. But ultimately, know you were able to do something that not everyone can, which is a gift within itself.
Annie Frost is a senior in her second year at Rowdy! She is in the top 1% of visitors at her home airport (according to Snapchat) and still gets emotional thinking about studying abroad.
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