Ash Pickett is a Business Administration Junior and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
To all of the Mustangs considering studying abroad in the future, those who have already begun meticulously planning, or even those immersed in another country seeking guidance through this transformative journey: welcome to the complete guide to your international experience.
I’ll never be able to get it 100% right, because everyone’s experiences abroad are different. I studied in London, and many of you will choose other places: Madrid, Singapore, Argentina…the possibilities are endless. Yet I’ll try my best to provide all of the advice you will need to prepare yourself – the advice I wish I had.
Today, let’s start at the beginning and discuss one of the most daunting decisions you’ll face in the planning process: choosing a location.
- Don’t just follow where your friends go.
This is the biggest trap that Cal Poly folks tend to fall into. Florence and Barcelona might really resonate with you, or maybe you’re going just because your friend group is too.
While traveling with friends is an experience like no other, I encourage you to put yourself first when making this decision. You can always meet up with friends who are studying in different countries, so don’t feel like you need to live in the same city as them to stay connected.
And the truth is, when you choose a location that hundreds of other Cal Poly students also choose, you won’t really get a chance to diversify your relationships.
- Sit down, and think about what specifically you want out of your abroad experience.
Now that you’re focused on yourself, take some time and brainstorm some of the things you want to get out of these upcoming months.
Are you looking to practice a language you’re learning? Do you prefer meeting international friends or connecting with people from the States? How important is the weather to you, or the size of a city? What kind of foods do you enjoy or wish to explore?
There are endless programs that offer very specific opportunities. Make a list of everything you want – the non-negotiables and the nice-to-haves – then find one that provides that.
- Choose a place that aligns with who you are, or who you want to be.
Just like choosing the right college, think about your hobbies, personal and professional goals, and culture when making this decision. Cities and countries around the world have different values driven by their people. Also, the kind of people in your study abroad program may more or less align with the culture of the city, so if the city suits you, the people might too.
- Consider financial obligations.
Some cities are more expensive than others and, unfortunately, it’s a significant factor to take into account. In my ignorance and the whirlwind of planning, I was clueless enough to not do so.
I arrived in London and quickly learned why it was considered an expensive destination – the conversion rate is 1.32x that of USD (subject to changes), and it’s close to impossible to go a day in the city without some hidden expense. Despite my diligent financial planning, the expenses caught me off guard, and forced me to rework my budget.
When researching cities, carefully look at the financial implications of living there. Look into what kind of cards they accept, whether they take Apple Pay, if your cards have foreign conversion fees, what the USD conversion rate is, and estimated daily expenses.
- Don’t rush to commit.
My best piece of advice going into study abroad is to remain open-minded from the very beginning of the planning process.
When I first started thinking about studying abroad, I was convinced I’d go to Thailand. Then I realized the Thailand program didn’t offer the courses I needed within a realistic timeframe. This freaked me out because it felt like all of my plans just flipped on their head. From there, my location options changed at least a dozen times, until I finally settled on London.
Even in choosing London, I felt like I needed to secure a location as soon as possible so I could get all the details worked out early. Looking back, I wish I’d given myself just a bit more grace in my decision-making process, but I’m Type A to a fault.
Although the decision is intimidating, it’s also exciting. You have this amazing opportunity to live somewhere completely different and grow so much personally. You know yourself best, so take a deep breath, do your research, and figure out what’s best for you.
Or, you know, just throw a dart at a map. Either way, it’ll be great.