8 Things I Wish I Did Before & During Studying Abroad

Below are mostly minor little things I wish I had done differently or bought\brought while I was studying abroad. I could only think of eight because study abroad is great! See what I did there?

Here they are in no particular order...

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8. Invested in hot tools This is a small thing purely about aesthetics and my own self confidence, but I never had a good hair day in Ireland and that was partly because of the climate but I also didn't have my trusty straightener or curling iron. It would have cost me about 15 or 20 euros to have bought one there for the semester and the payoff for me feeling better would have been worth it. I would also have spent time learning to french braid my hair before I left for Ireland. Those winds (especially when near an ocean) tangled my hair beyond belief.

7. More Boutiques- Less Pennys\Primark

Yes this budget store (think Forever21 but better) helped me save money but I saved money for this trip and boutique items would have been more memorable and unique purchase (and last longer).

6. Bought Smarter (and better looking) Jackets There

For so many trips I wore my oversized raincoat when it barely even rained (rare for Ireland- we got really lucky)! I looked like an obvious tourist. I wish I had invested in a lighter and heavier jacket while there. I did towards the last few weeks but for awhile I was rocking tourist chic in all my pictures.

5. Oktoberfest

Hopefully no one hates on me for this but it is a personal preference. I don't like crowds which is the first indicator that this event would not be for me. I had a lot of fun in the morning but by mid afternoon I was ready to get the hell out of there. Throughout the day more and more drunk (very touchy) people were around. I wish I had gone to Berlin or a different city and really seen the German culture and history. I ended up spending a ton of money because of the increased prices. I barely even saw Munich while I was there! This is an event that is awesome for some people, but I am just not one of them. Don't get me wrong, I have some great memories of Oktoberfest (the best beer to ever exist, I now own a beautiful dirndl, the food was delicious, etc.), but I know I would have been happier spending my money on a weekend trip where I actually could have seen Germany.

4. Google Mapped the Area More Before Arrival

We couldn't find food when we first arrived disoriented and jet lagged. Turns out there was a great cafe about 5 seconds away from our village! If I had google mapped the area more before I left, I would have known and saved us from a grumpy jet lagged walk in search of food.

3. Watched Travel Youtube Vlogs For Inspiration & Advice

I can't even count how many times we arrived to a new city hungry but unsure of where to eat. I've watched many Ireland vlogs since I have come back home for nostalgia sake (and to live vicariously through the youtuber) but they would have been much more helpful when I was actually there. They're perfect for food, stores, sight seeing, etc. recommendations as well as a great way to get yourself even more excited about where you're visiting! The people have done the research and tested it out for you, so you might as well take advantage of it.

2. Better quality (and better looking) sneakers

I brought a pair of old bright pink sneakers that I had owned since High School with me and of course I never wanted to wear them. They would have ruined an outfit (IMHO). I don't know why I didn't invest in some new sneakers before I left. Especially since I knew I would be doing so much walking abroad. A fashionable pair of comfortable sneakers is a must.

1. Camcorder or Higher Quality Camera

My iphone 6 did not do Ireland justice and the ability to create mini vlogs of my trips would have been unique and a great way for my family and friends to experience going abroad with me virtually. It also would have saved some room on my phone.

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Looking back at what I regret I didn't do or bring, I realized I did not have to be so frugal when it came to personal products and buying clothes or items I needed there. However, at the time I wanted to save all my money for travel. BUT I ended up feeling unconfident\uncomfortable about how I looked because of it. Go ahead and spend some coin at the drug store if you feel more confident with with extra beauty products and feel free to buy that jacket at a unique boutique because it'll last you longer than the low quality shirt you just bought to save money. Also, I encourage everyone to make trips to places THEY want to go, not just because everyone else wants to. Theres nothing wrong with traveling alone as long as you are smart and safe about it. You should spend that money you saved on memories and experiences you will look back on fondly. You don't want to look back on how stressful it was (Oktoberfest). Think before you leave about how you want to document your travels. I knew I wanted to make a scrapbook so I kept tickets, cool napkins from a tea shop, even a German subway stub. I am so glad I saved them because they added flare to the scrapbook. You will forget a lot of little details so find a way to keep track of everything! You'll be glad of it in the future.

Have you been abroad to study or just to travel? What do you regret doing, not doing, or not bringing?

#lifestyle #travel #advice