Meeting people of other cultures holds a mirror up to our own selves. Why do we do certain things? Is it because of tradition and expectation or is it because we genuinely want to? If our lives are dictated by our culture, we may never realize our true potential until we get our passports stamped that first time.
But while travel is all about self-discovery and learning, many people choose to combine it with studying for a degree. There are plenty of great exchange programs that will take students overseas, but others need something a little more flexible so they can travel from country to country without having their itenerary dictated to them by someone who hasn’t experienced it, and they may consider using online education programs.
- Student TravelEd Yourdon / Foter / CC BY-SA
All any student needs is a WiFi access point and some will power to continue learning while learning in a foreign country.
Preparing:
You may consider yourself a feather on the wind, but you’ll likely want to lie down to more than just wind running through a tunnel at night. Make reservations for your first stop right after you book your hotel. If you don’t know the language, you may not have a lot of luck going door to door asking for recommendations.
If you’re trying to be frugal, look for home swapping programs or even just deals on hotels and hostels. European hostels tend to be clean environments that are relatively safe, but you should still check around on the web to make sure they have a good reputation. You’ll be travelling with a laptop, so you’re not going to want to stay in a place known for theft.
To prepare your laptop, buy an adapter for the different types of outlets you’ll come across. You may also want to invest in an extended battery if you plan on being away from a desk. Cafés are great places to work at, but you’re probably not going to find an outlet you can use at them.
Know when to study and when to tour:
Part of being able to study and travel is being able to multi-task. Have you always wanted to see the Tuscan sunrise? Get up early, wait for it, and then bask in its glow as you read Virgil for a class. There’s a way to do both without sacrificing on either.
However, there will be times when you need to just put the books down and hit the road. Don’t attempt to study the first day you’re in a new location until you’ve seen everything you wanted to for the day. A new country is the ultimate distraction, and forcing yourself to work at noon when you haven’t seen the Eifel Tower yet is both cruel and unproductive.
Reflection goes a long way:
Don’t be afraid to talk about your experiences in your essays. Your travel is enriching your life—it should show up in your writing. If it’s an essay that’s based off of personal experiences, talk about your journey. It can pepper your views on classical literature, art, history and even sociology.
However, realize the paper is going back to an academic sitting in an office who may very well like to be in England instead of grading your papers. Realize there’s a line between using your experience and simply bragging about your good fortune to be able to travel. Just keep it genuine and honest, and you should be able to really show your spirit without going overboard.
