4 Tips for a Stress-free Trip

By Bridget O'Toole

Studying abroad is an exciting experience, but it can also be stressful and scary—especially if it is your first time traveling alone to a place you may have never been before. Don’t let the unfamiliar freak you out. Instead, consider doing (and not doing) some of the following to eliminate some anxiety on your trip abroad.

1. DON’T feel like you have to have everything planned.

Some of the greatest memories you will make will be from the unexpected. You are probably going to have a must-see list, but any plans you make will be thrown out the window once you are abroad. When you arrive, you are thrust into this crazy new culture, and you are meeting all of these new people. Most of the time you will travel in a group, but not everyone wants to go to the same places. So, you shouldn’t plan. You should just be open to experiencing any new place you can. I had not planned on traveling to Austria, but Vienna ended up being my favorite city I visited.

2. DO what you want.

This means that when you arrive to a new city, you should go and do what you want. If you travel to Amsterdam, some people are going to want to go see the Anne Frank house or the Van Gogh Museum, while others are going to want to simply enjoy the fresh air. Don’t feel pressured to do what the majority of the group is doing. You will regret it if you don’t do what you want to do or see what you want to see.

3. DO have patience.

You will get lost, but don’t get mad or frustrated. Instead, have patience. When my travel group arrived in Brussels, Belgium, we could not find our hostel. Everyone was tired and scared because it was our first week traveling, and we let our annoyance get the best of us when we really should have been enjoying what was around us. You may even unintentionally book a hostel an hour away from your intended destination, which seems like a pain in the butt when you find out, but you may find a really cool brewery in that city. You never know what will happen when you're lost. 

4. DO use the bathrooms in your hostel or on the train.

Why? Because those bathrooms are free! Well, you are paying for the hostel room, so I guess the bathroom is not truly free, but you get what I mean. You’re going to have to get over your germ phobia because every other public restroom will cost you. Having to go to the bathroom but being unable to find a two cent euro at the bottom of your purse is not an ideal situation and is weirdly stressful. Even McDonald’s makes you buy something before you can get the code to the restroom. Always have your coins readily available because you never know when Mother Nature will strike.

Packing Tips for Studying Abroad

By Bridget O’Toole

In addition to your basic clothing and toiletries, you should consider packing (or not packing) some of the following:

1. Girls: DON’T pack a hair dryer…or a curling iron or a flat iron.

Yes, you want to make a good impression, but honestly, you will most likely never use them. By eliminating these from your packing list, you are saving yourself the trouble of dragging it around with you to every new city and also leaving room to bring gifts back home. If it really matters to you, you can find these tools abroad at great prices, or you can make a deal with some of the other girls going. Each of you can bring one of your hairstyling tools and you can share. Just be careful not to blow a fuse!

2. Girls: DON’T pack more than five pairs of shoes.

Again, save space in your suitcase! Five pairs is a lot to lug around. One pair of sandals and one pair of Keds-like gym shoes will do the trick. Neutral color, no pattern Keds go with everything, and if you’re worried about style, they are not the typical tourist gym shoe, either. So, you won’t have to worry about standing out, and your feet can be comfortable.

3. Boys and Girls: DO pack a filtered water bottle.

Free water isn’t really a “thing” in Europe. Restaurants don’t automatically have a glass of tap water waiting for you like they do here in the U.S. Instead, you have to pay for each bottle you consume, and that can get expensive because 1) the bottles are small, and 2) It’s going to be hot and you will be thirsty from walking around. Also, be sure to specify that you want still water because sparkling water just doesn’t do the trick when your sweating like a beast in the 90 degree Venice. By bringing your own filtered water bottle, you can fill it up at the public water fountains, which are always still water. That way, you don’t have to worry about a costly mix-up.

4. Boys and Girls: DO pack a rain jacket.

Despite what you may hope, you may encounter a few rainy days abroad. Therefore, it is wise to bring a rain jacket. Rain jackets not only protect you from the rain, but they can also serve as a barrier to cooler weather. Plus, they are really easy to roll up and carry in your traveling backpack. If you feel the need for extra protection, you can easily buy a fairly inexpensive umbrella from a local vendor. 

5. Girls: DO pack a cardigan.

Certain destinations are very concerned with modesty, which makes it necessary to bring a light, neutral cardigan with you from place to place so that you can cover your shoulders. Otherwise, you may be unable to see Michelangelo’s superb work in the Sistine Chapel. While the location you are visiting may signify that you are a tourist, you still don’t want your status to be so obvious that you have to be given tissue paper to wear around your shoulders.

6. Boys and Girls: DO pack one set PJs that can keep you warm and one set that can keep cool.

If you are studying abroad in a location like Switzerland, then you are living on top of a mountain. Yes, the sun will be out during the day in the summer (mostly), but the mountain does reach fairly cold temperatures at night. So, you may want to have some flannels and warm socks on hand. However, you may take side trips to destinations that are considerably warmer, or you may stay in a hostel with no air conditioning. Two separate sets of sleepwear may take up more room in your suitcase, but trust me, being prepared is better than getting sick.

Switzerland, a Program for the True Traveler

By Bridget O'Toole

Looking to feed your wanderlust? FSU’s study abroad program in Leysin, Switzerland may be just what you need. The Switzerland program’s area of study is Hospitality. So, yes, preference is given to Hospitality majors, but the program is also open to all interested students. If you’re a non-Hospitality and are worried about your chances of being accepted, don’t be! It worked out for me, and I firmly believe that the Switzerland program is one of the best programs for students with a desire to travel but without a major-specific program.

As a student in the Switzerland program, you can take a European Travel and Tourism course. Your homework? Traveling all around Europe and sharing your trip experiences when you get back! Not too shabby, right? Classes are conducted Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. Often times, you will go on a field trip to a gorgeous five star hotel in Switzerland, and from there, you may leave to travel anywhere you want in Europe as long as you are back by Saturday night. The last train up the mountain ends early so you have to be time conscious! But you will be surprised how many places you can see over the course of three days. One week, my little group and I spent a day in Paris, France, a day in Nice, France, and a day at the beach in Monte Carlo—all in one week! I was able to visit more than ten incredible European cities over the course of four weeks. But of course, there are benefits to remaining in one city the whole week, such as having the time to visit all of the famous hot spots. The scope of traveling one does is really up to the individual. 

The mountain life in Leysin, Switzerland is also something to take into consideration. Let me

tell you, having a view of the snow capped mountains while eating a delicious French breakfast will probably be the most relaxing moment of your life. Nothing can beat the view in Switzerland, but don’t worry, just because the mountains are snow capped does not mean you’re going to freeze! The sun will be out every now and then. There will be days when you despise mountain life because of what the students like to call “the stairs from hell.” While walking down them isn’t a problem, you will be challenged walking up them in the high altitude. Just remember that the view at the top is worth it.

In general, the Hospitality program is so much fun—especially when you’re a guest at a hospitality business as opposed to a stressed out employee. As a student in this program, you have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals when you visit five star hotels with classic architecture, restaurants with five course meals, and spas with amazing jacuzzis. To be able to visit these high quality destinations is a huge bonus for anyone living on a college budget. One of the best trips is the trip to Balmers Hostel in Interlacken, Switzerland. Here you will learn about the hostel business. This trip is also a great initial experience where you can get to know your group members better and where you can meet people from around the world.

So if you’re feeling like a Nolemad*, visit FSU International Programs offices (UCA 5th floor) to find out more information on the Switzerland program!

*A Florida State University Seminole (Nole) that likes to travel a lot.