111 days. Eight new countries. Countless overnight FlixBus rides. And one perfect home base.
Deciding to study abroad was the single best decision I’ve made in college so far. Not just because it was the time of my life (which it absolutely was), but because it gave me a completely new mindset. To become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
This piece is for those thinking about studying abroad. Or maybe you’ve already committed and just want to know what it’s really like. Or maybe you’re my mom (hi Mom). Regardless, I’m going to break down the process from start to finish — my experiences, my mistakes and my tips. If this helps even one person, I’ve done my job!
Find a program early — and make sure it actually fits your academic needs.
This is the most important decision you’ll make in the process, so give yourself time and grace to figure out what you actually need.
I started researching programs in early December and submitted my application by late December. Application deadlines vary, but most don’t close until April, so a lot of students tend to apply then. My advice? Don’t. Some programs are first-come, first-served, meaning the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting your top choice.
So how do you actually narrow it down? Well, the University of California Education Abroad Program, or UCEAP, can be overwhelming and there isn’t a definitive way to narrow your choices. I found that making a simple pros-and-cons list in Google Docs was surprisingly helpful. If nothing else, make sure to include a template that highlights the time period, location and “would fulfill” category — this keeps everything organized so you don’t forget half your options the second you click on the next program (I tried — it doesn’t work). Before you even touch UCEAP, pull up your Degree Audit Report and figure out what you still need to complete. The broader and easier, the better. Leaving GE’s for study abroad is a great method, especially if your major has really specific requirements. For me, I had to fulfill my foreign language requirements!
Now that you’ve set yourself up for success, you can open up the UCEAP website, which hopefully doesn’t feel as daunting. Filter your searches as much as possible, and after deciding between final options, see which academic requirements each program fulfills by going to the “academics” section and scrolling down to your desired semester/quarter. You’ll find a list of each class offered, along with which exact units and courses they fulfill for your UC campus.
Before you go
Once you apply and hear back, start packing! You’ll suddenly want to bring everything you own, and every YouTube video or TikTok you watch will give you something new to add to that list. But if nothing else, remember these tips for preparing:
Pack at least one outfit for every possible climate
It hadn’t snowed in Florence in 15 years — until Jan. 6. You never know what to expect — because although I was told Italy would be warm all year round, I found myself at 5 a.m. in Ireland wearing every warm layer I packed — because I hadn’t thought to bring a real winter coat.
Speaking of packing….
Hands down, the smartest thing I packed was an empty IKEA bag. Most of my friends ended up either buying new suitcases to fit all their new belongings or throwing away memorabilia. I was luckily able to stuff everything into my bags with my extra IKEA bag. I took one big suitcase, one small suitcase, one backpack and the extra IKEA bag — and it worked perfectly. I used the small suitcase and backpack for weekend trips — PS: if you want to travel a bunch, make sure your small suitcase fits Ryanair’s sizing policies to avoid the 60 euro fee!
Arriving
The time will come for you to leave, and even if you’re prepared and packed to the best of your ability, you may still feel alone or nervous. That’s completely normal — even if you know people in your program, even if you’ve been to the country before and even if you speak the language. You’re acclimating to a completely new culture on a new continent and no matter how common the process is, those feelings are entirely expected.
For me, the first week felt almost exactly like freshman year at UCLA — you meet so many people, hear so many names, see so many faces and forget half of them the second the conversation ends. You might feel overwhelmed. You might even feel alone while surrounded by people. Just trust the process. Go out with everyone. Put yourself out there — because there will absolutely come a time when you’ll wish you could feel those moments again more than anything. (Basically me right now.)
Study abroad is an enriching experience where you’re hit with new sights, new sounds and new ways of living at every turn. You’re forced into discomfort. The discomfort of a new environment. The discomfort of a new culture. The discomfort of not knowing. Learning to embrace that discomfort is what makes the experience so fulfilling. Lean into it — because one day, you’ll miss it more than you ever expected.
