If you plan on traveling during study abroad, read this

Study abroad students are a unique breed. We transplant ourselves into a land far different from our own (in my case, Barcelona, Spain) with the intention of becoming more “worldly” or “cultured.” Or something like that.

It is a whirlwind of a semester and goes by all too fast. We go to school during the week and travel on weekends, with only 48 hours in each city that we visit. In Paris we see the Eiffel Tower and in London, Big Ben. In Barcelona we eat tapas and in Amsterdam we drink Heineken.

With such limited time in each city, I found myself wondering about the value of these weekend trips. Is this effective travel? Or do these quick excursions only confirm what we already think we know about each place, exacerbating pre-existing stereotypes of different cultures?

After my own extensive travel and much deliberation, I’ve decided these trips are indeed worth it — if done right.

The sights

There is so much more to a city than its high-traffic tourist attractions. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should pass over the Cliffs of Moher when in Dublin or the John Lennon Wall in Prague. These visits can be amazingly vital to your overall experience. But if we only visit these publicized attractions — as so many do — we risk leaving a city only having explored what we already knew about it in the first place.

You’re probably wondering: where do I find these amazing hidden places if they’re not publicized? Well, I’m not saying we’re going to find an undiscovered Trevi Fountain that no one knows about in Rome. I’m talking about the backstreets, charming lanes lined with cafes and intrigue that can be discovered only through exploration and by asking the local people. Each city is brimming with unique gems waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that Instagramming a picture in front of the Berlin Wall is the same as seeing the Berlin Wall. Take the time to walk back and forth in focused observation. There is so much more than meets the eye.

I stood at the Wall for almost two hours, taking in the historical beauty. I snapped photos for about 10 different couples on their iPhones. It’s pretty cool to think a family in Italy may be sending out their Christmas cards with an picture that I took.

The company

Traveling with friends is great. I totally agree with the saying, “having the world is nothing unless you have someone to share it with.” On the other hand, traveling by yourself can be just as enjoyable and eye-opening.

There is something extremely special about visiting a new place with just yourself and your camera for company. When you are on your own, there is literally nothing standing in the way of total freedom and utter unbridled wanderlust.

One of my favorite feelings in the world is to have no agenda. Strolling carefree down random streets, venturing into cozy lanes and alleys to discover a unique bit of architecture draped completely in grape ivy and smelling of morning glories.

The food

If you sit down in a restaurant and hear more English than the native language, run. I’m not joking – get out of there as fast as you can. My golden foodie rule when traveling is to never (ever) eat in a place filled with more tourists than locals.

Often these places are in busy areas and serve the worst food at outrageously marked-up prices. I would literally rather trek across all of residential Berlin with my giant backpack in tow to find a local farmer’s café (which I did) than eat in one of these tourist traps.

But how do I find these places?

Well, I personally do a lot of research. I love websites like Time Out and Pinterest — they highlight the best and provide a forum for discussion. When I have the time, I even resort to bloggers on Instagram because they really know what’s up. Another great way to find local places is to ask. Ask people you know and people you don’t.

The camaraderie

In my two and a half months so far abroad, I have taken fourteen flights all over Europe and North Africa. On each flight, there are some people who slap on their headphones before the plane takes off and wake up hours later having reached their destination.

I am not one of these people. It’s quite enlightening to reach out to fellow travelers, at least those who are just as excited about the trip as well as the destination. Don’t be shy, introduce yourself (obviously using your instincts and good judgment). Smile, say “hi,” and don’t be afraid to talk.

I spent an entire flight to Copenhagen talking to a girl from Hong Kong who invited me on a trip to Paris before we landed. I spent my trip to Malaga talking to a Malaysian man on tour of Europe who said his favorite thing about the experience was not having to eat rice for 30 days!

Junior HD major Kate Goldberg believes interacting with foreigners has changed her perspective. “I have learned many cultural differences and realized that many things I used to think were ingrained in human nature are just cultural constructs,” she said.

You never know who is sitting around you and the plane ride gives you a perfect excuse to find out. Really, there is nothing to lose.

Studying in another country for an entire semester is a truly special experience. Elon student Angelique Mckenna agreed in saying, “[it] definitely has changed my perspective on life, but it’s also pretty easy for people to miss the picture while they’re over here. It’s one of those things that you have to constantly work at to keep an open mind.”

If you want to have an amazing abroad experience every student deserves, follow this advice. Always leave time for exploration and don’t always travel in huge groups. Seek out native food and interact with native people. Never shut out fellow travelers and always waste your time wisely.