10 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Semester Abroad

Krka waterfalls swimming

1. Take that chance to go to Ireland...tomorrow morning.

Be spontaneous. Sometimes the best memories are the ones that are the most unexpected.

2. Be open

...to making new friends, seeing new places, having new experiences, and trying things that you don't typically do at home.

kuna change croatia money

3. Budget accordingly....but still have fun

Look at your bank accounts and be realistic about how much you can spend per week. Stick to your budget the best you can. Though if that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes along, try not to pass it up - you never know if you'll be able to have the chance to ever do it again. Sometimes it's worth it to overspend for something awesome, even if it means the next two weeks you're eating grocery store pasta and cheap wine to compensate.

4. Go somewhere "random"

Budapest, Hungary? What's over there? I think you better go find out firsthand, because it's "random" and totally, completely, awesome.

paris maps

5. Take photos

Yes, you'll be that "tourist taking photos" but who cares? Years later you'll look back and be so glad you have pictures to look at.

6. Check in with family regularly

They care about you, and if they're anything like my parents (and most peoples' parents, I'm assuming) they're stressed out and making up scenarios in their head that involve scenes from Taken. Send them a quick Facebook message or text through Whatsapp to reassure them you're okay.

Blarney Castle View Cork Ireland

7. Remember to do your homework

The "study" part of study abroad is very real. While most classes abroad are notorious for being easy, it's still important to keep up with your classes to make sure you pass and can transfer credits back to your home institution.

8. Get to know your host family

They're the ones spending the time to cook you meals and let you live with them. They're the best locals you can get to know! Listen to their stories, practice speaking the language, and try out their recommendations for things to do around town.

Bellagio Lake Como

9. Write everything down

Whether it's a full detailed recap of your adventures or a quick list of the highlights, you will want to remember what happened on your travels years from now. Create a blog (public or private), make a Word doc, update a list on your iPhone, or even do it the "old fashioned" way - a journal and a pen.

10. Be in the moment

Trust me when I say your time abroad will go by fast. Before you know it, it will be the night before everyone heads back to the airport for the long-haul flight home and you will be with your friends, wishing it would last longer. Be in the moment, because there will probably never be a time again where you will be able to live and travel abroad, with limited responsibilities, with this exact group of people. Make the most of every situation, try to find the humor when things go wrong, and appreciate this time of life when you can be free to explore the world.

Soak it up. Enjoy it. And make this semester one you'll never forget.

Denver, Colorado: A Winter Wonderland

Denver Horses 4

Denver Horses

Denver Horses 3

Denver Horses 2

aus shepherd dog quinn

Last week I had an opportunity to go to Colorado to see some friends. While I'm not too fond of cold winters, it was a refreshing break from the desert sun. The Rocky Mountains were showing off underneath a blanket of snow, surely providing evidence to the fact that Colorado has some of the most beautiful winters in the world.

What a Year - 2014 Recap of Go Seek Explore

What a Year - 2014 Recap of Go Seek Explore

Seine River Paris

Now that 2014 is about to come to a close, I'd like to reflect on the year in terms of Go Seek Explore. I can't believe how quickly this year went by! And as with every turn of a new year, I'm amazed at how much can happen and change within 365 days.

I created Go Seek Explore on May 13, 2014

I returned to the US from my job in Italy in January and it wasn't long before I started to get itchy feet. While trying to figure out when to move to Arizona (between DC and Seattle), I spent a majority of my day applying to full time jobs and daydreaming about traveling to new places during the rest. Go Seek Explore became my outlet for writing and travel, two things I love to spend my time doing.

...and then I went back to Europe! I didn't know how long it would be before my next international trip, especially since I came home from Italy with very low funds. I was excited to secure a short term job working in Europe over the summer before I moved to Arizona.

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Popular Posts on GSE in 2014

hofbrauhaus beer

14 Europe Experiences You Need To Have In Your Lifetime

I love Europe and don't know many people who don't also love it. Whether you're studying abroad, backpacking, honeymooning, or taking a short trip, there are some experiences in Europe that I believe everyone should experience at least once.

8 Seattle Stereotypes That Are Actually True

After living in the Seattle area for almost 18 years, I enjoyed writing a piece that confirmed all the stereotypes of Seattle-ites. That's true, no one uses umbrellas even though it rains almost every day. It's weird. Go figure. As my most popular post ever, it seems like other Seattle-ites agree with me, too.

The ABCs of Studying Abroad in Florence

W is for Wine...and lots of it. This was such a fun one to write and made me nostalgic about my study abroad experience and Florence in general.

ROME

10 Reasons Why You Should Travel After College

This was one of my first posts on GSE. I originally wrote it on my old blog to test out the waters with travel blogging. When it went viral on social media, I knew I was ready to create a travel blog!

8 Tips For First-Timers at Oktoberfest

I wrote this one originally for The College Tourist. Oktoberfest 2013 was amazing and I hope to return another year! These eight tips will be helpful to anyone going to Munich's favorite festival in the future.

Published Pieces

Some of my work was featured on sites like Thought Catalog, Wayfaring, and The College Tourist. I also collaborated with other bloggers for guest posts as well (and you'll find others' guest posts on here, too).

GSE Goals & Updates

My number one goal through this blog is to aim to inspire people to travel more. That hasn't changed since the creation of the blog, and never will.

New Design in September GSE got a much-needed makeover this fall. One of my 2015 goals: get a logo created.

Added Social Networks Bloglovin' (new! Go check it out), Facebook, and Instagram. Instagram reached 1,000 followers this month, which is a nice breakthrough as we head into 2015.

holocaust memorial berlin germany

Countries Visited in 2014: 6

Italy, USA, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany

Favorite Country Visited: Germany. Because it's awesome. And Germans are cool. And German beer is the best.

hotel athenee view

Cities Visited in 2014: 15

Domestic: Seattle, WA; Washington, DC; Newport Beach, CA; Laguna Beach, CA; Tri Cities, WA; Boise, ID; Park City, UT; Phoenix, Arizona; Sedona, Arizona

International: Florence, Italy; Paris, France; Vienna, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; Dresden, Germany; Berlin, Germany

Favorite City Visited: It's a tie between Vienna and Laguna Beach. It was great to get to go back to Vienna for nine days (my first visit was just a day trip) because it is such a cool city and there are so many things to do. One of my favorite things was going to a concert in the Schonbrunn Palace.

Laguna Beach, which is basically opposite from Vienna, provided a nice family getaway to the warm, sunny, beaches of Southern California. I had been to Newport a dozen times but never Laguna (and they're so close!) and I have to say that I fell in love with this beach town.

2015 Travel Plans (so far):

-Denver, Colorado: January -Butte, Montana: August -Newport, California: December

Potential plans include New York City, the Grand Canyon, Chicago, and DC (working on it!) and at least one international trip. I'm looking into Eastern and/or Southeast Asia. I'll need to plan any trips around holidays and vacation days, once I accrue them from work.

Spice Market and Grand Bazaar

Travel Goals For 2021:

Wait...2021? It's only 2015!

My overarching travel goal is to step foot on each of the six inhabited continents by the time I'm 30 years old. I'm currently 23 and have been to North America and Europe. This is 1/3 of the way, but there is still so much to see. Since I currently hold a full-time job (and a part-time one on weekends), my travel schedule is more limited so I gave myself a 6.5 year window to complete the goal. It's also somewhat vague as of now, but I figure I have 6.5 years to continue defining and shaping it.

I made this goal after reading The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillibeau (definitely recommend!) from being inspired by his accomplishments and the "quests" of others.

What are your goals for 2015, travel or otherwise?

10 Airport Travel Tips For The Holidays

98.6 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more this year for Christmas, and just like every year, air travel is going to get busy. If you're flying home for the holidays, use these 10 airport travel tips to make your trip home smoother.

Tips For Packing Your Bags

1. Don't wrap your gifts

Airport security may look through your bags at any time of year, and there is no tolerance for suspicion. To save your packages from getting torn apart, leave your gifts unwrapped for the flight and wrap them once you arrive at your destination.

Already bought special wrapping paper for the occasion? Save time (and your paper!) by cutting out enough for what you need, folding it, and laying it flat. Keep it from getting wrinkled by sticking it in the middle of a magazine or book.

2. Fly Southwest

If you're flying domestic in the US and are bringing a number of gifts home with you, fly Southwest - they are the only US airline to allow two free checked bags. If you are expecting to receive a gift(s) of larger size, only use a carry-on or one checked bag on the way there and fold up a duffle in your suitcase to use on the way back.

3. Place shoes in separate compartment

Place your shoes in a separate compartment so the odor doesn't mix with your clothes (or any new clothing/fabric items that you're giving to loved ones as gifts). I like to use the zip compartment in my suitcase to prevent this.

4. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase, too

Fabric softener makes your clothes smell great in the dryer and will also keep your clothes smelling fresh in the suitcase, too. Place it on the top of the pile before you zip the suitcase up. Now there will be no fear of stinky smelling clothes for holiday parties!

5. Bring small breakables in your carry-on

Bringing home breakables? Keep them in your carry-on to avoid them from cracking when your checked luggage gets tossed around by airport staff. Speaking from experience: last year I put a fragile, hand-painted ornament from Florence in my checked bag only to take it out of the suitcase in shattered pieces when I arrived.

For the Airport

6. Print your boarding pass ahead of time

This will save you time and one extra step. You never know how long the lines will be at check-in.

7. Use travel apps

For smooth travel days, get some assistance from an app like TripIt for your itinerary.

8. Allow extra time for security as airports are busier

As mentioned at the beginning 98.6 million people are traveling for the holidays this year. That means busier airports and longer lines. Allowing extra time to get to the airport (especially if the weather is bad) and get through security will save you stress.

9. Bring snacks and a water bottle

Airport food and water can get expensive, and shelling out cash for a bag of processed, unhealthy food that doesn't even taste that good is the worst. Plan ahead by picking up your desired snacks at the grocery store the day before you leave to save money and eat what you like. As for avoiding paying $4 for a disposable water bottle? Pack an empty one in your carry-on and fill it up at a drinking fountain after you get through security.

10. Communicate with whoever is picking you up

If a friend or family member is picking you up, make sure you communicate with them on what time your flight gets in - and keep in touch if your flight gets delayed. This will save your driver from sitting in the cell phone lot for an extra hour or two while they wait for a delayed flight!

Returning From Study Abroad: What Next?

This article was originally published on The College Tourist.

Back to your home campus after a semester abroad...

If your study abroad is nearing an end this semester, it can be tough to think about going back to “normal” life back home on campus and resuming things as they were before you left. Though you know that while things will be the same back home, you have changed – traveling has allowed you to grow and experience so much over these past few months.

Even though you may in denial during the last few days abroad before that long-haul flight home, realize that while this is ending, it doesn’t have to be the end of your travels. Use your upcoming breaks off of school to see how you can fit in future trips, or even consider traveling after you graduate.

Winter Break

If you studied abroad in the fall, you have the option of extending your travels for a few more weeks – this is a great way to spend more time in the region while you’re already over there. Maybe your family will meet you for the holidays and you can spend it doing something completely new.

If you go home right at the end of your program, spend some time adjusting to being back home, seeing friends, and maybe even taking some short trips/road trips before you head back to campus for spring semester.

Spring Break

With a week off of school, take a break and relax after a stressful few weeks of midterms. Did you make friends from other schools while you were abroad? This is the perfect opportunity to get together for a reunion!

Be a Tourist In Your College Town

Take a break from your regular routine of going to the same places by trying something new one weekend. Whether it’s a bar, restaurant, event, or heading to a different part of town, going to a new place will feel refreshing and different – something you constantly came across while you were traveling abroad.

Summer

Summer is awesome because you have months off before school starts back up again in the fall. Consider applying for internships in new cities (New York? DC? Chicago? Yes, please!) or volunteering in a foreign country. Even a quick trip somewhere will be the perfect getaway before the fall semester starts up again.

Post-graduation

The number one question everyone will be asking you senior year of college is, “What are you doing after graduation?” This time will be one of the most open-ended periods of your life and is the perfect time to travel. Whether you take a road trip, go backpacking around Europe or Southeast Asia, or take a celebratory trip with your college friends, this is the time to make memories before heading into the workforce.

Interested in traveling long-term? Working abroad, volunteering, and doing Peace Corps are a few of many ways you can travel, earn money, and build up your resume.

Why I Chose To Work In Europe After College

Yachts

Traveling is not a simple task. It requires planning, budgeting, and taking action on getting things in motion. It requires taking a leap and going for it. And it requires time – in the planning process, but also for the trip itself. Maybe you’re studying abroad for a semester or taking two weeks off of work. You could be missing out on things happening on campus or at the office. There will always be a trade off. (And chances are everything will be exactly the same when you get back!)

Before hiking Capri

But if travel is something you’re truly interested in, it will be worth it. And if you want to travel after college, you are less likely to make all these trade offs.

Why I Chose To Work In Europe After College...

This is a guest post over at Treks and Tales - continue reading the full story here!

Napoleon III's Apartments are Reason Enough To Go To The Louvre

The Louvre in Paris is one of the best and most-visited museums in the world.

Room after room is filled with art, and if you've heard about about a piece of artwork growing up in school, chances are it's probably at The Louvre.

After you battle your way through the tour group crowds to get a close-up of Psyche or the Mona Lisa, head over to Napoleon III's apartment - rooms that are covered in ornate furnishings for every inch.

In my opinion, Napoleon III's Apartments are SO much better than seeing the Mona Lisa - though I will say it's almost worth it just to see the notorious massive crowd...