Studying Abroad? Here's How to Make the Most of It

Students share 15 tips for amazing adventures abroad

by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

How can you make the most of your study-abroad experience? These four seniors studied abroad last year, and now they’re global ambassadors, sharing what they learned to help younger students prepare for amazing adventures abroad. So whether you’re just starting to think about the study-abroad possibilities or you’ve already packed your bags, check out these students' expert advice.

Maggie Cassano '25

Major: Political science, with a minor in women’s, gender & sexuality studies
Hometown: Dover, Del.
Programs: Dickinson in Ecuador and Argentina (fall 2023), Dickinson in England (spring 2024) and Dickinson in Spain (summer 2022)

In Ecuador and Argentina, Cassano taught English at a women’s shelter. In England, she helped design and launch an awareness-raising campaign about pollution in a local river.

15. Focus on the local

It’s tempting (and expected) to travel widely while studying abroad, but this costs a lot of money, and it may not be compatible with your studies. My most valuable experiences were when I prioritized depth over breadth and committed to immersing myself in the local culture and learning more about the place that would serve as my home for the next few months.

Pro tip: Most cities have a webpage with a list of upcoming events. Some of my favorite days were spent just wandering around and exploring.

14. Reflect, then relax

Once I stopped worrying that I wasn’t traveling enough or was joining the “wrong” clubs, I was able to more fully appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities available to me.

Pro tip: Before you leave, reflect on what you want to get out of your time abroad, and then pursue those goals.

13. It's OK to not be OK (planning helps)

Studying abroad means being thrust in a completely new environment, away from home, family and friends, so just know that you won’t feel OK 100% of the time. At the risk of sounding corny, that really is OK! It helps to set goals that will motivate you to stay active and involved.

Pro tip: Before you leave, make a plan of steps you can take when you start feeling down and look into the mental-health resources your program provides.

Sarah Jang ’25

Major: international business & management, with minors in economics and Chinese
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Programs: CET Taiwan (fall 2023) and Dickinson in Italy: European Studies (spring 2024)

Sarah Jang '25

Jang, a Posse Foundation Leadership Scholar and club president, split her junior year abroad between two continents. She enjoyed mastering the challenge of navigating public transportation in Taiwan, making friends in Taipei and enjoying local food.

12. Speak the language as much as possible

Even if you are scared, remember that people are usually kind, and they will appreciate your efforts.

11. Be brave—try the food

I was afraid of trying chou dofu (stinky tofu) in Taiwan, but it ended up being really delicious!

10. Safety first!

Plan trips at least a week in advance, make sure you’ve booked everything on secure websites and remember that, as a foreigner, it can be easy to stand out. So keep a mindset of staying safe and alert.

Pro tips: When traveling, carry your zip-up bags and purse. Don't leave them unattended. I recommend Baggu bags! When riding an Uber or taxi, have the directions on your phone.

9. Research the climate

I was in Taiwan in August and September, when the weather was very humid, and in October, when the weather was perfect. And I was in Italy during the winter and spring months.

Pro tip: Pack layers to accommodate changes in the weather, or plan to buy clothing, like a warm jacket, there, if needed.

8. Focus on connections

Making friends with local people really enriched my experience in Taiwan. I was paired with two language partners, and we met weekly. They showed me around night markets and introduced me to local spots. It was amazing to see the city through their eyes.

Pro tip: Be kind and respectful everywhere you go.

Tyler Lissy ’25

Major: Political science, with a minor in security studies
Hometown: Easton, Pa.
Program: Dickinson in England: Norwich (spring 2024)

During a program trip to Edinburgh, Tyler Lissy ’24 climbed Arthur’s Seat, the site of an ancient volcano that offers a tremendous view of the city.

Lissy was initially a bit nervous about studying abroad, but he’s glad he took the leap. In England he got involved in his host college’s Model U.N. club and MMA events, traveled to local sites, made friends on campus and took a day trip to Prague.

7. Get outside!

Getting some fresh air and seeing what your program’s region has to offer is a great way to spend your free time. It can also be helpful in times of stress. I found it fairly easy to figure out transportation, and as a result I got to visit a National Trust-preserved location, the Blickling Estate, as one of my solo trips.

Pro tip: In Norwich, the park/walking trail right behind our housing was extremely scenic in my opinion, and if you're lucky you can find a few of the horses roaming around the area.

6. Learn to cook

Prior to leaving, I spent some time learning basic cooking skills and recipes. Even though there is always the possibility of purchasing microwavable goods, that will use up your budget faster than you might think.

5. But also try local dishes

I really enjoyed authentic fish and chips as well as the English spin on Chinese takeout, which is pretty different from what we have here.

4. Get curious

I had some of my best experiences when I found things to do on campus or around Norwich. I had a great time watching the school's American football club play a sport I used to play, and I also enjoyed learning about English football (soccer). I met some great people by just being curious and putting myself slightly outside of my comfort zone.

Pro tip: Most of the people in Norwich were extremely kind and loved striking up a conversation, whether in a market or on the bus, etc.

Simon Weber ’25

Simon Weber '25 studied abroad in Japan.

Major: Japanese, with a minor in French & francophone studies
Hometown: Erie, Pa.
Program: Dickinson in Japan: Nagoya (full year)

Studying at Nanzan University through the Dickinson-in-Japan program, Weber joined the a cappella club and International Exchange Club, traveled to Okinawa with new friends and took in the famed cherry blossoms in Nagoya.

3. Hit the books

While I was able to quickly get into the groove of things, I think I would have had an easier time, especially in my classes, if I had done some more studying before I left.

2. Contact study-abroad staff, and get your paperwork in, early

Even though I got my visa close to two weeks before I left, I wish I would have scheduled everything further in advance. I think that would have saved me some unnecessary stress.

1. Slow down

At the beginning, I really wanted to get out and experience all that Japan had to offer, so I didn’t really take things slow and get to know Nagoya, the city I was living in, or its people. Once I started valuing the quality of my experiences over the quantity, I was able to make the precious memories that I still think about today.

Pro tip: When I finally slowed down, I was able to build stronger relationships, and the trips that I took were all the more meaningful, because I took those trips with close friends.