Studying abroad isn’t just gelato and biergartens…it can be daunting and stressful to live in a foreign country as a student. Most of us study abroad veterans have a list of things we would do differently, or at least things we wished we knew much earlier on during our time abroad.
To help you avoid making any cultural faux pas or wasting your precious time and money, we’re breaking down some of our top tips for studying abroad in Europe. Even if you’ve been fortunate enough to travel internationally before studying abroad, there are many parts of living abroad that nothing can prepare you for, and it’s better to learn them soon!
Why study abroad in Europe?
Europe is an exciting destination for studying abroad, with its gorgeous architecture, centuries of history, and the chance to learn Romance languages right from the source. For many of us, studying abroad in Europe almost seems like a rite of passage. How many people dream of frolicking in the hills like Maria von Trapp or chasing an adventure like Robert Langdon?
Every country in Europe offers something for someone. Whether you’re a fashion design major headed to Milan or you want to save the world by studying renewable energy in Scandinavia, you’re guaranteed to have a meaningful adventure in Europe!
8 tips for studying abroad in Europe
There are so many important pieces to factor in when preparing to study abroad, and it can be overwhelming to figure out where to focus. We’ve outlined our top eight study abroad in Europe tips to help get you off on the right foot!
1. Live with a host family
If your study abroad program gives you housing choices, don’t pass on the opportunity to live with a host family. This is without doubt the best way to learn the local language and can quickly make living in a foreign country seem like home. You can gain so much by immersing yourself in a new culture and language.
Most host families are seasoned at providing a comfortable environment for international students, and they understand the triumphs or struggles you could face. They usually anticipate homesickness and try their best to help!
Many host families also provide meals, which means you’re guaranteed to taste authentic home cooking. All of the support host families provide makes a huge difference, and international students and their temporary families often form close relationships.
2. Don’t plan too far ahead
The amazing part of living abroad is there’s always something exciting to do—every day! There are opportunities during all of your free time for spontaneous fun. With so many low-cost airlines and train routes available, it’s easy to pack your bags and hop to another city as soon as the weekend hits.
But, be mindful that constant traveling can also mean you miss out on experiences in your host city. Maybe there’s a quaint outdoor market just a few blocks away, or a library that transforms into a dance club on weekends. Sometimes choosing to stay put instead of traveling can give a much richer view of one culture, rather than fleeting pieces of several cultures.
3. Eat every type of street food
The best way to truly experience a new culture is by tasting your way through it! Street food is a way of life in Europe and you shouldn’t be afraid to try anything you see. In most European countries, you can find tasty stands specializing in locally made pizza, kebabs, falafel, gelato, wursts, paninis, and more.
When traveling in major European cities, aim for food stands that are at least a couple of blocks away from tourist hot spots. They’re usually cheaper and more authentic, plus it gets you off the beaten path a bit more!
Fast food from American chains are not included in these street food tips. Even though a pumpkin spice latte might help your temporary homesickness, eating at American chains prevents you from discovering something new. We always encourage travelers to support local!
4. Shop at local grocery stores and markets
Most students are on a budget when they head abroad, and cooking at home is an easy way to save your bucks for traveling. Every city has delicious markets and larger grocery stores with all kinds of options. Many brands and products you love from your home country are probably available in supermarkets abroad, too!
Even though the familiarity of food from home is so tempting, try to focus on branching out and shopping like the locals do. Most Europeans prefer specialized markets and will often shop several times a week for fresh delicacies. You can learn a lot about these unique foods from the vendors selling your go-to treats.
5. Get creative with looking for budget travel
One of the biggest rules of studying abroad in Europe is do not fear RyanAir and EasyJet! It might be totally unnerving to see plane tickets from Paris to Athens cost only $25, but these airlines are as legit as any others here. Budget airlines in Europe are often even cheaper than taking a train or bus!
Another great way to cut down on travel costs is to look for regional and group travel passes. Some countries and cities offer discounted local train or bus tickets for certain destinations.
In Germany, for example, you can purchase an all-country train ticket for 24 hours—and add up to four friends on your ticket for just a few euros more. Germany also offers regional variations of this program for even more discounts, so you can hop on any train in Bavaria with one ticket!
Once you’re in a new destination, look for free walking tours to see something fun. Many are themed, so be sure to think outside the box: Lord of the Rings, art history, and even spooky full moon tours are super popular!
Free walking tours usually operate on tips, so be sure to drop them a few coins. Free public museums like city plazas and sculpture parks are some other great options for keeping travel costs down.
6. Research budget airports before booking flights
Some European cities have only one airport, so all flights head to the same spot. But most big cities have several options to fly into, so it’s not uncommon for budget airlines to fly into the airports that are furthest away from city centers—or into different cities altogether.
This can add huge costs to your travel and also lots of time you might not want to lose if you’re only staying for a weekend. One classic example is Ryanair flights to Munich, which actually fly into a tiny airport in the middle of nowhere called Memmingen. This is at least a 90 minute train ride to Munich, so if you’re trying to catch connecting transportation, it’s crucial to know how far away this is!
7. Buy local transportation passes
In America, trains are almost unheard of unless you live in a major city or along the coast. But in Europe, everything is connected by rail and bus, even the smallest towns tucked away in huge mountains. One of the biggest tips for studying abroad in Europe is to use public transportation constantly and travel to as many new places as you can!
Many cities offer discounted local train and bus passes for students, so check with your program advisor on any perks like this. Some let you renew on a weekly or monthly schedule and are perfect for short-term study abroad options.
8. Use your student ID for discounted everything!
A worldwide reality is that students don’t make much money, so flashing your student ID can get you all kinds of discounts in every country. Even the most famous museums and art galleries in the world offer student rates.
Most communities genuinely want young people to experience history, art, music, and cultural sites, so they focus on making these meaningful adventures accessible to all. Use those student discounts and go live it up!
Use these tips for studying abroad in Europe to make the most of your experience!
It’s hard to go wrong when embarking on a meaningful travel experience, but we hope you use these study abroad in Europe tips to create the adventure of a lifetime. Even if you’re on a strict budget, there are so many ways to enjoy living in uniquely beautiful destinations. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so make the most of it!
