An Opportunity of a Lifetime
While abroad, students will have the opportunity to travel to cities and countries throughout Europe. Because classes
are not scheduled for Fridays, students are able to take short weekend trips leaving on Thursday night or Friday morning and return on Sunday
in time for classes for the following week. Students also have a 10 day break to take an extended trip in Europe. It is recommended that
students plan out their trips early, and space them out to allow for recovery for sleep and homework (not to mention continue exploring
London). The only limits to how much a student travels are money and the number of weekends available.
Traveling is an excellent
opportunity to experience many different cultures as part of the study
abroad experience. This section is here to help you begin to get an
idea of what you will need, tips for traveling (cheaply), and other
resources to help get you started in planning your next trip.
Before You Travel
ISIC Cards
Students are encouraged to purchase an International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
It is the only internationally accepted form of student identification,
and is the key to a large number of discounts at restaurants, museums
and attractions, and transportation. It can be purchased for either $22
in the U.S., or for £7 in the UK. It can be purchased at
colleges
and universities in the U.S., and at STA Travel Agencies in the UK.
Some home schools may require it to be purchased before leaving to
study abroad, so ask your school's study abroad office for information.
Guides and Guidebooks
It is recommended that students purchase a travel guidebook about Europe to help them research
the cities they are traveling to. To maximize your time spent while
traveling, familiarizing yourself with your destination is important.
Know the city you are going to and what is there that you would like to
see. This way your time (and money) is better spent.
*Check in your flat upon arrival to London. Many flats have guidebooks
leftover from previous students, especially for popular destinations.
City Information Centers
Upon arrival to your
destination, seek out an information desk, whether it be at the
airport, train station, or nestled among attractions in the city. They
often can provide extra information that your guidebook does not cover,
as well as provide you with more detailed maps, city passes that get
you on public transportation and into the sites at a discounted rate,
and any other help you may need. They are an excellent resource, and
are there to help you.
Check with your Embassy
Make sure to check with the U.S. Embassy in London for any travel
warnings that may be active. Europe is a very safe continent to travel
to, but nonetheless, be aware of anything taking place. Your safety is
most important. Check the news, too, to see if anything is happening in
a destination you are considering.
Weather
Be sure to check the weather before you pack your bags, but also pack
for the unexpected. You never want to strand yourself with clothing
inappropriate for the weather. If bad weather can put a damper on a
trip, being unprepared for it can only make things worse. Check Weather.com
or the BBC
for weather information for your
destination. Almanacs, or guidebooks to your destination can also help
you.
Last but not least, be FLEXIBLE! It can be guaranteed that your travel
plans will not always work out as you had planned them. Your traveling
experience is an adventure and therefore needs to be treated like
one.
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