Hello fellow Eagles and anyone on the internet who clicked this link,
This is part one of a two part post about my experience on a Study Abroad course this Summer. This post is going to be dedicated to the "pre-departure" part of the course and tips to prepare yourself if you decide to take part in one of these experiences.
The study abroad I am traveling with is History & Systems of Psychology (PSY 453). It is my last required Psychology course for my major. This is the second time this class has ran as a study abroad option and I actually found out about it from Caitlin Baumer, one of the Graduate Assistants at The Honors College. We have had class one a week before the trip and have spent time going over course material and discussing side excursions while we are in Europe.
It's about a 12 day trip starting the 23rd of this month until July 6th, with stops in these destinations:
- Vienna, Austria (Freud Museum)
- Wurzburg, Germany (History of Psychology Museum)
- Leipzig, Germany (Wundt Room)
- London, England (Darwin House)
#1) Luggage
I had never owned a suitcase before now. I used duffle bags with clothes shoved inside them for any other trip I've ever been on (I haven't traveled a lot). I figured that this trip was a great excuse to invest in a set of suitcases for my adult self. Below is the luggage set I purchased (mine is Purple - check it out on Amazon here). I wanted something that would stand out, was hardcover and rolled easily. The reviews on this brand were pretty good for the price! I also bought cute luggage tags because why not.
In this day and age, most people use their card when they are out for purchases. I am a part of credit union and my cards do not have those new security chips in them. I found out that in Europe, they really only take cards with a chip and you can't access an ATM without a chip either. This was super important information that allowed me to get in contact with someone who could reissue one of my cards so I could use it on the trip. It is also important to make sure you inform your bank that you will be gone so they don't lock your card for strange purchases.
If you are planning to go International in the near future, consider switching to T-Mobile. I just did and they have free international texting and some new Wi-Fi calling features so that you can stay in touch with your family and friends while you are gone. If you don't, be careful for international fees and data charges.
#3) Packing
Having a cute suitcase is great, but now I have to figure out what to pack. I don't know about you but I am notorious for over-packing for everything. That's fine until you realize that there are weight limits restrictions and I have to lug this stuff around for almost two weeks. I also don't want to bring anything I'm not prepared to possibly lose. In this situation, I am taking the advice of my professor Dr. Lauterbach, "packing is about comfort." I'm going to try and bring just the basics. His other advice is "all you really need is your wallet, your passport and your ticket, anything else you can buy once you get to your destination."
Although I am a little nervous, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to go on this trip and have received a few scholarships (one from the Honors College - click here to apply) to be able to go. I am so excited to step out of my comfort zone and go on a once and a lifetime experience like this that will teach me things that I am not able to learn in a typical classroom setting. Click here to check out the study abroad website to see if there are any future trips that interest you.
I look forward to using this blog as the first place to share my experience when I am back home on July 6th!
Wishing you all a great month of June!
"Steigen Höher " - that means "Soar Higher" in German!
Kaylee
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