Summer Study Abroad Bucket List: 8 Things to Do for the Best Experience

Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime in itself. Few people can say that they went to school in another country and learned more than the language itself. Your time away isn’t 100% spent in the classroom, and it’s in this free time that you should venture out and explore this strange new land.

There are so many experiences that are once in a lifetime, and who knows if you will make it back to this unique country, so make the most of it.

Before you travel, research where you are going, so you know what things you will be able to do, and then make a bucket list. Here is a guide to help you get the most out of your travels.

1. Guided Tours

Guided tours are the easiest way to take in the sights. Guided tours will take you to places that may be otherwise inaccessible, and the person or people conducting the tour will have a wealth of knowledge, so you can ask questions and explore.

While many tours will take you to tourist-geared places, you may be able to find other tours that go off the beaten path and away from the “commercial” historical places. They will also know of exciting places only known to the residents in the area. They are a great resource that you can tap into!

2. Visit the Tourist Hot Spots

Tourist hot spots are popular for a reason. They allow you to see history up close. There are information guides, photo opportunities, and bragging rights to say that you saw some of the most iconic things man has made.

How often do you get to say you stood near the Parthenon in Greece or Buddha in Thailand? Take a ride in the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or a gondola ride in Venice.

3. Do Something Out Of The Ordinary

They say you should do one thing a day that scares you. While exploring new lands and cultures, this is an excellent opportunity to do just that.

How about taking a cooking class in Greece or learning to be a coffee farmer in Costa Rica? Not only do you get to do something that your friends or family will never get to experience, but you can learn more about the country and the culture by doing things the locals do all the time.

4. Rent a Bike

On the days when you can take a break, rent a bike, or get a bus pass and explore. Make sure to have a map with you or your phone with a travel plan and updated maps of where you are in case you get lost, but then go and “get lost.”

Biking allows you to take the back and country roads and explore outside the town or city where you are staying.

A bus pass can take you to neighbouring places to explore, widening your experiences during your summer abroad program.

5. Eat Local

You can find fast food restaurants worldwide like the ones you are used to at home. And while these are good to help combat homesickness, check out the local restaurants and cafes.

Here, you can experience real, authentic foods that you wouldn’t necessarily get anywhere else. Bakeries are a hot spot for new breads and treats. Small restaurants off the main streets will have unique local dishes not found on big restaurant menus.

The people in these smaller places will be happy to talk to you about the foods and help guide you on a culinary tour, suggesting the foods to try out and where to go to find them.

6. Take a Dip

There are places in the world that are famous for their water, whether it’s the turquoise waters of the Whitsunday Coast or the stunning coastline off the Greek Islands.

Wherever you go, check out lakes, beaches, and swimming pools. You never know when you can swim in some of these seas and lakes again.

Take it further and check out the opportunity to go snorkelling or even diving to see the sea life under the water up close and personal and swim with the dolphins and sea turtles. These are all experiences like no other.

7. Go For a Hike

The scenery all over the world is different and beautiful. Take some time to hike in the surrounding parks or mountains.

Enjoy the panoramic views that you don’t get at home. Take a picnic, relax, and absorb the fresh air and sights. You might even see some wildlife that you don’t get at home.

Walking trails are ideal to allow you to explore the local nature reserves, and while the exercise is always a good thing to blow away the classroom cobwebs, you will get to see sights that you just don’t get at home.

8. Festivals

Depending on the time of year, many countries host some of the most famous and exhilarating festivals that you should check out.

These are great ways to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the country you are in. Bastille Day in France, the Palio in Siena, Aegina Fistiki (Pistachio) Festival in Greece, or even running with the bulls in Spain.

While these festivals usually happen for religious reasons, you don’t have to be to enjoy them, but they will give you a greater understanding of why the people celebrate the way they do.

The experiences gained from being in the middle of the party will be like nothing you have ever experienced before, and the stories will make all your friends and family back home jealous.