Am I Actually Studying Abroad?!
I am currently nearing the end of my fourth week in Rome, and time has flown by super fast! I am still in shock that I am here in Rome because I never imagined I would actually get to travel abroad. I have always wanted to study abroad, but the cost of the program was out my budget and my family's budget. Thankfully, I was able to get scholarships and loans which made my dream come true! For this post, I am going to talk about my pre-departure planning. This has been my first experience ever going abroad, so preparing for this trip was definitely different from how I usually prepare for trips within the states. Here is how I got ready for Rome:
1. Lists!!! Considering the length of the trip and the fact that I was going to be in a different country and had no idea what things Italy would/would not have in comparison to the US, lists were my best friend. I went online and searched "Study Abroad Packing List" and checked a few different websites for their suggestions. During this time, I made a list on my phone of what things I needed to pack for the trip in general, as well as a list that specifically stated the things I still needed to buy. This was an easy way to stay organized!
2. Shopping!! A few days before my trip, my mom and I took a trip to Target to purchase the things that I did not already have at home but would need in Rome. Target is a great place to shop because it is cheap and has such a variety of items, you will most likely find everything you need and will not have to go to multiple stores!
3. Packing! Here is where I procrastinated. This may work well for some (for me it was fine), but for others it may not, so tread carefully! I decided to pack everything the night before I left for Rome. It was about 11PM when I started, so my parents were asleep and did not help, but it turned out just fine! I managed to fit everything into my one suitcase, my one small carry-on luggage, and my carry-on backpack. I also made sure to leave room for souvenirs!
So, that was my Rome preparation. I am so excited to be here studying abroad and cannot believe that Week 5 is already almost here. See you in a few days for exciting Rome stories!!
1. Lists!!! Considering the length of the trip and the fact that I was going to be in a different country and had no idea what things Italy would/would not have in comparison to the US, lists were my best friend. I went online and searched "Study Abroad Packing List" and checked a few different websites for their suggestions. During this time, I made a list on my phone of what things I needed to pack for the trip in general, as well as a list that specifically stated the things I still needed to buy. This was an easy way to stay organized!
2. Shopping!! A few days before my trip, my mom and I took a trip to Target to purchase the things that I did not already have at home but would need in Rome. Target is a great place to shop because it is cheap and has such a variety of items, you will most likely find everything you need and will not have to go to multiple stores!
3. Packing! Here is where I procrastinated. This may work well for some (for me it was fine), but for others it may not, so tread carefully! I decided to pack everything the night before I left for Rome. It was about 11PM when I started, so my parents were asleep and did not help, but it turned out just fine! I managed to fit everything into my one suitcase, my one small carry-on luggage, and my carry-on backpack. I also made sure to leave room for souvenirs!
So, that was my Rome preparation. I am so excited to be here studying abroad and cannot believe that Week 5 is already almost here. See you in a few days for exciting Rome stories!!
Depending on your university, there could also be private student accommodation close to campus, with similar price points to what you’d get on-campus.
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