Whether it is biking to the Colosseum after a long day of classes, or flying to Croatia for a weekend of cliff jumping, the study abroad program enables you to enjoy a unique experience at such a pivotal point in your life.
This year, I am partaking in St. John’s Western Europe Semester (WES). During this semester, I will study in Rome, Italy, Limerick, Ireland and Paris, France. Over the next four months, I will have the opportunity to travel the world and create lifelong memories with a group of my peers.
Although St. John’s sends more than 40% of students abroad, studying abroad is a privilege that not every college student gets to experience. This is why I made a promise to myself coming into this semester to do it right.
The most important thing when completing a semester overseas is planning. What you pack, where you travel and what you choose to see all need to be mapped out so you are not left scrambling in a foreign country.
There are no classes on Friday when studying abroad. It is very common for students to use the extended weekends to travel to neighboring cities or countries with their friends. For these weekend trips, I have learned that the bigger the groups, the better.
The first trip I went on was a 14-person weekend trip to the Amalfi Coast. We all used a booking company called Smart-Trip. Due to the size of our group, we received a discount code. Europe has a lot of deals for students, being on the lookout for those can help keep costs down.
When abroad, it is important to try new things; do not put yourself in danger, but make the most of new opportunities. I never thought of myself as the strongest swimmer, but I was jumping off boats and rock faces into the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Going into this trip, I made it a point to get out of my comfort zone, and this is one of the ways I managed to do so.
The Smart-Trip made a quick stop in Naples before bringing us back to Rome. A big component of this city is the pizza. Unfortunately, the group I was with did not have much interest in trying the iconic dish.
This is another lesson I had to learn to enhance my study-abroad journey. It is okay to separate and do your own thing as long as you are being safe. Your study-abroad bucket list is not going to align with everyone else’s, and sometimes it is better to prioritize your wants.
There are many great upsides to the study abroad program, but navigating the difficulties is also paramount. While abroad, making sure to stay in contact with family and friends is essential to managing homesickness. I have committed to weekly FaceTime calls and daily texts with my family to make sure I do not become gloomy or homesick while away.
Balancing your academics with the desire to explore can also be difficult. I’ve found it’s better to do all of your work early on in the week so the long weekends can stay stress-free.
There are also many cultural aspects you have to take note of when traveling in these countries. Yes, the European stare is a real thing, but they usually do not mean anything by it.
As a black student, I have to be extra vigilant of any racist microaggressions that I may come across during my time in Europe. One night during a long weekend in Dubrovnik, Croatia, I was subjected to some disparaging remarks from locals.
The best way to counter these unfortunate encounters is to travel with a group of friends who will have your back and keep your spirits lifted.
Studying abroad can be a challenging time, but with proper planning and a good support group, you can work to make a semester overseas more than worth it. After a wonderful time in Italy and a promising start in Ireland, I am excited to see what the rest of this semester has in store for me.
