The Weeks Leading Up to Study Abroad: My 4 Pieces of Advice

As I prepare to leave for my time abroad in Sydney, I keep wavering between feelings of excitement and anxiety. This trip will be my first time outside of the U.S., and there were many things to check off the to-do list in preparation for departure. Although I’m still a beginner traveler, I’d like to think I’ve picked up a few solid tips for my fellow adventurers who also want to have the logistics of travel squared away before their trip. So, here are a few ways you can mentally and physically prepare for your time abroad.

Find time to connect with the place you will be visiting 

Something that helped me visualize myself in a new place was being curious about the culture and the citizens. IES Abroad provides helpful information on each program destination, but it can be fun to use other platforms as well. For me, it was finding books on Australian history and culture, and watching vloggers on YouTube who post day-in-the-life videos or other Sydney-related content. This was a great way to learn many interesting facts about a new country, like the popularity of Rugby and Netball, and the geographical marvel of the Great Barrier Reef and the vast expanse of the Outback. With that, I think the most crucial benefit of this approach was embracing the unknown and allowing myself to appreciate all the practices and experiences that will be different from my own life back home. 

Be social and strike up a conversation

This tip could fall into the “while you are abroad” category, but I think it’s important to use it during the time before you leave as well. Many people have stories about their time in other countries, so don’t be afraid to ask people about their tips and advice or favorite memories. I do lean more extroverted, but I can see why this approach might be intimidating—believe me when I say that people love to chat about travel. I would talk to people at work, when I was getting food, at the gym, you name it! I met a lot of people who have been to Australia, and most folks make it easy to get excited about the journey on which you are about to embark. 

Take note of your day-to-day routine

While your routine will undoubtedly be ever-changing when you are abroad, I found it helpful to take note of what is important in my daily life when crafting my packing list, and having it as a list I can refer to when I am grocery shopping in a new place. It’s better to start thinking about what you will want to bring earlier rather than last minute, and an easy way to figure out your absolute essentials when packing is to write down what you use in a day. This will help you consolidate your list and figure out what you can leave behind and what must make it into your suitcase. For example, you might notice that you have to charge your phone often throughout the day, so you add a portable charger to your list (don’t forget an outlet adapter!). 

Use the IES Abroad resources 

I can’t stress this tip enough—be sure to use the countless resources IES Abroad provides and message with your advisor before the trip. My decision on when and where to study abroad was somewhat sporadic, and my advisor was with me every step of the way to help me prepare. One of my main concerns was regarding my dietary restrictions. My advisor put me in contact with a member of the Student Affairs team, and I was given wonderful options for accommodation. This helped relieve my stress and goes to show how caring and professional the IES Abroad team is. 

Ultimately, the most useful tip I can give is that no matter how much planning you do, it’s best to just accept that there’ll still be some uncertainty. In my opinion, this is part of what makes the opportunity to go abroad so special – you can go in with an open mind, solve a challenge here and there, and embrace the adventure. Be confident in your abilities and individuality, and trust that it will all work out! I keep coming back to an overwhelming feeling of possibility and gratitude, and I cannot wait to see what Sydney has to offer.