*Note: Rachel is in Spain for the summer studying abroad. The adventures of an American in Spain will be featured here as her trip progresses.
By: Rachel Steinman, guest blogger
Traveling Abroad Part Uno!
Let me first apologize for the lack of posts on my part. I promise to have at least one entry on my Little Pink Book once a week on my trip to Barcelona. This entry mostly deals with the beginnings of traveling abroad. What others and I have learned thus far on our trip. We are still getting our feet into the water when it comes to immersing into Spanish or Catalonian culture. Barcelona is unusual than other parts in Spain by its major influence of Catalan in the culture. The two official languages in Barcelona and the rest of the Catalonia region are not surprisingly Spanish, but also Catalan. Signs all over the city consists of these two languages, NOT English. This can be quite frustrating, but extremely helpful when we are trying to learn a new language.
Since most people these days like lists (seriously who doesn’t), I will spend the rest of my entry describing my top ten lists of what I have learned thus far:
- 1. Always read ALL about baggage restrictions.
Seems like that would be common sense right? Well, wrong! On this trip we went from the States to London, England, to Barcelona, Spain. Most of us had read about the restrictions from the states to London, but forgot to check out from London to Barcelona. If we had checked out those restrictions, we wouldn’t all have struggled packing in the couple of hours left we had in London.
- 2. No matter what pack LIGHT!!!
Having to pay for overweight luggage is a Debbie Downer on every trip and you slow everyone else down. Also, you just look more like a well-traveled person when you don’t have to worry when you check into the airport!
- 3. If you have a night flight, try your sweet best to sleep on the plane!
It helps to reduce jet lag and you won’t be as tired when you have to go through customs or airport hassle.
- 4. Make sure your carry-on bag has readily accessible pouches for passports, government-issued IDs, tickets, etc.
This helps when you have to go through airport security and customs. Note: the pouch should be secure as well, pick pocketing can happen to anyone!
- 5. Buy your converters abroad.
A wise friend told me this and I sadly half listened to her. Before leaving my mom and I went shopping for supplies and saw this cute universal converter for sale. Well, that converter doesn’t work in the sunken in outlets in Barcelona so I had to spend extra money and buy another converter. Listen, like I didn’t just wait till you get to your destination!!!
- 6. Read your travel guides before you leave on your trip.
Yes, you made the first important step in buying a travel guide (DK Eyewitness by far are great and Frommer’s pull out maps are helpful too), but they won’t help you if you don’t read them. We as a group have missed out on a couple of afternoon excursions because we didn’t even know where we wanted to start.
- 7. If you have a digital camera make sure to get nothing less than eight (8) gigabytes.
You are abroad in a new and exciting place and everything you see you are going to want to take a picture. You can’t do that when you have run out of room on your memory stick!
- 8. Get used to trying something new.
Different cultures come with different routines and schedules that you might not be used to. Try to work into a rhythm that will help you adjust. Also, starting and ending your day around the same time each day helps your body get used to the new routine.
- 9. Skype and calling cards is your best friend!
The best way to use them is setting up a time when you will be available as well as your friends back home. I find it comforting to be able to communicate with my family on an almost daily basis, especially since I needed to get a to go phone here (another must when abroad, unless you have a Blackberry. The world edition is actually pretty nifty).
- 10. Be flexible.
You are going somewhere that is completely different than what you are used to. Give yourself time adjust. Trust me, I’ve been abroad a week and sometimes it can seem very overwhelming, but so far it has been worth it.
- ** 11. BE SAFE!
You are in another country, try to blend in. With crime on the rise internationally, it helps to know where you are, the numbers of local law enforcement and the safest areas to be in. You know how they say, don’t trust strangers at home? Well, the same applies when you are studying abroad. Don’t forget you can’t have a good time on your trip if you get yourself into trouble. Be aware of your surroundings, have your mobile phone charged and handy, and always have local currancy alongside your credit card. You never know!
Hope this helps for anyone planning on traveling abroad in the future! Until next time!
¡Hasta Luego!
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Rachel Steinman is currently a International Relations and History major, with a minor in Art History, at the University of Florida. She is the 2009-10 UF Model United Nations president and she hopes to enter law school in fall 2009.
Copyright © 2009 Sasha H. Muradali. All Rights Reserved.
