Physically and mentally preparing to study abroad can be overwhelming. Although I haven’t actually gotten to Italy yet and may be missing a few things, I have compiled this list using what I have gleaned from vigorous research and personal experience. If I get to Italy and find myself gravely underprepared for something, I’ll be sure to update this post immediately. With that being said, here’s my top 10 ways to prepare for study abroad that have helped me get travel essentials ahead of time, become more familiar with Italy, and reduce my anxiety over moving to a new country.
1. Find out what documents you need and get them with time to spare.
To study abroad for a semester you need a passport, visa, vaccine records, travel itinerary, visa letter, and oh so much more. Generally, most documents you need will fall into one of these categories: educational, travel, and medical. The second you know you are studying abroad, start researching what documents you will need for your specific country. Personnel from your home institution and your abroad institution will be happy to answer your questions and will be a valuable resource for knowing when you will need which documents.
2. Learn the key characteristics of where you will be living.
Wherever you study abroad, there will be something about that place that is unique, charming, and/or vital to local life. If you’re going to Italy and like coffee, you must research coffee culture in Italy so you can know how to order your favorites and when it is acceptable to drink certain brews. It’s also important to know what your area is known for. For example, the city I will be staying in, Perugia, is famous for its chocolate delicacies. This kind of specific information can be found in a lot of places, most notably guidebooks, podcasts, blogs, travel websites, etc. One great resource that I have been using is the Untold Italy travel podcast; it has hundreds of episodes covering all sorts of local traditions, best products, and travel activities in every region of Italy.
3. Read past student experiences.
Most study abroad institutions have written testimonials from past students that help upcoming students know what to expect from their time abroad. Some institutions even go above and beyond and make it easy for you to access interviews and videos from students as well. Check your institution’s website and social media for insight from past students about what classes are like, what grocery stores are best to shop at, and where you should spend your weekday nights. You will also probably find valuable information for pre-departure such as what to pack, where to travel, and what Italian phrases you need to know. Visit this site to learn more about Arcadia Abroad students’ experiences!
4. Research typical weather trends during the time of year that you will be abroad.
Italy has a stereotype of having a warm and beautiful climate, which is partially true. However, winter in Italy is no joke, especially if you are in a more central or northern area. After conducting research on my specific city, I learned that it is extremely windy and usually snows a couple times in January or February. As someone from the southern US, that means I have to bring most of my winter gear along with me. Make sure you research your specific city’s climate so that you can have an accurate idea of what to expect when you are there.
5. Pack efficiently.
Part of knowing what the climate will be like is knowing what all you need to pack! Be sure to bring the proper amount of season-appropriate gear. For example, I will be bringing one winter coat and one swimsuit. If you are going to be studying abroad in the warmer months, you probably won’t need a winter coat and will want to pack 2-3 swimsuits. I have attached the packing list that I used to help me pack at the bottom of this blog post. Don’t forget to adjust it for what you will need and be careful to not overpack.
I have read several past student testimonials that said that the night before departure, they either wound up having to make several last-second trips to the store or had to purge a bunch of items they planned on packing. In order to avoid this for myself, I decided to do a Practice Pack Session. Basically, I gathered everything I needed and packed it all a couple weeks before departure. This way I was able to spot anything I didn’t have yet, make sure I had enough space to pack everything I wanted to bring, weigh my checked bag, and write down everything I specifically wanted to pack with enough time to not incite a last-minute panic. I highly recommend doing a Practice Pack Session! It’s a great way to feel more prepared and know what you need to set aside/wash before you leave.
6. Be realistic.
It can be really tempting to romanticize your time abroad before you get there. However, it is important to be realistic about what to expect, what you will do, and even what you like! A common mistake I’ve heard from past students is packing clothes that are more “European.” Being realistic about your own style and what you will wear will help you pack more efficiently and ensure that you will wear each of the items you pack. Don’t feel obligated to dress like a European if that is not your style.
Another expectation that can quickly get out of control is the activities and travel you will do. You will undoubtedly have some of the greatest experiences while you are abroad. However, it is important to remember your social battery, health, and available funds before you go abroad. For most people, it is not realistic to take a three-day vacation to another country every weekend. When planning what you want to do and the places you want to visit, don’t forget to consider that you will still be a student and may be tired from the week, have assignments to complete, or may have a dwindling budget.
7. Learn as much Italian as you can.
If you are studying abroad in a big city like Rome or Florence, most people will be able to speak enough English to help you get by. However, if you are in a smaller city like Perugia, you are going to need to learn some Italian. Although it is not essential to learn a lot beforehand, the more Italian you know, the easier it will be to navigate daily life in Italy. When you first start, focus on essential travel phrases like “What time will the train arrive?” I highly recommend using language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel. I have been using Duolingo for years and can admit it is a little bit tricky to figure out grammar rules with their system. Despite that, I still think it is a good way to learn Italian vocabulary. I have never used Babbel, but I have a few friends who have and they praise it for its system of teaching grammar and important phrases. However, while Duolingo has a free version, Babbel does not. Consider all the pros and cons (and even see if you can find another way of learning the language) before picking one to use.
In addition to general phrases and words, it is important to consider words that are essential for you to know. For example, if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure you learn those words! If you’re super into hiking, consider looking up a few hiking vocabulary words that will help you when you’re looking for a trail, need help while on a trail, or are trying to buy hiking equipment. Think about how you use your words in English, consider what things you must be able to communicate while you are abroad, and learn those words/phrases!
8. Figure out your phone!
Using your phone while abroad is complicated and can be very tricky. Plans and options vary greatly depending on your phone plan provider, so make sure to visit their website directly to see what they offer in terms of international plans. If your provider’s international plan does not fit your needs, consider buying a sim card (or e-sim card, depending on your phone type) while in Italy. Buying a new sim card lets you keep your same phone, but will give you a new Italian number. There are lots of data plan options that you can then purchase that will probably be cheaper than an international plan but more complicated to get. Research each option to consider what best fits your needs and your budget.
P.S. Don’t forget to double check any restrictions your provider may have! I wanted to get an Italian sim card, but I eventually found out that I do not qualify to have my phone unlocked from my provider. Because of this, I have no choice but to use an international plan (at least for a couple months). Restrictions like this will greatly impact your budget, so make sure you check requirements and try to work around them as quickly as possible. In my case, I bought my phone too recently to be allowed to unlock it. Another possible restriction may be if you are still paying off a phone. If I had planned ahead and waited to buy a new phone until after I studied abroad (or better yet, bought it several months beforehand), I would be able to get an Italian sim card, which is the method I prefer. Learn from me! Read all the fine print, especially for unlocking your phone, well in advance.
9. Create a communication plan with your friends and family.
Keeping in touch with your loved ones back in the states can be very difficult with the time difference. In my case, I will be 7-8 hours ahead of my family and friends. Because of that, I need to plan ahead for what times are best to call/text. It’s also important to communicate your preferred methods of communication while abroad. Whatsapp and other wifi-based messaging apps are usually best for communicating in Europe. Tell your friends and family to download the app and add them before you depart. There are other ways to communicate other than wifi-based apps, but they may be unreliable or expensive.
10. Get familiar with your day-to-day life.
One of the reasons some study abroad students get burned out or overwhelmed is the complete absence of the familiar. One way to avoid this is by making Italy familiar before you get there. You can use street view on Google Maps to see your route from home to class and get used to what your city looks like. If you don’t know your class schedule or where you’ll be staying, you can still use this tool to explore the city and find some interesting shops and restaurants.
Another way to enhance your sense of familiarity is to bring one or two special things from home with you when you go abroad. Don’t bring anything that is extremely valuable in case it gets lost or stolen and try to limit its size so that it doesn’t take up too much space when packing. I’ve heard of past students bringing pictures of their friends and family, squishmallows, and comfy sweatshirts to bring a sense of home to them while they are abroad. Personally, I plan on bringing my build-a-bear, Hazel, who I will keep in my carry-on bag to ensure she stays with me in the (unlikely) event that my checked bag is lost.
Once again, I am writing this a week before departure. This list comes from what I did to prepare, what past students say they used to prepare, and what past students say they wish they did to prepare. If you follow these steps and try your best to be prepared, you will walk into your study abroad experience with confidence and ease. Happy travels!