Act Like a Local: London Customs and Phrasing

       I went to England thinking I would be able to understand everyone perfectly; they spoke English, right? Wrong. British English and American English are very different, and on top of that, they have small phrasings and words that weren't anything I'd ever heard. However, as soon as I got the lingo down, living there became much easier, and I began to feel like a local.

• Quid = Pound (like buck = dollar)
• Half 10 = 10:30 (half      =    :30)
• Take Away = To Go
• Jumper = Sweater
• Pants = Underwear 
• Trousers = Pants
• Loo/Toilet = Bathroom
• Cutlery = Silverware
• Chips = French Fries 
• Crisps = Chips
• Fizzy Drink = Soda/Pop/Soft Drink
• Coach = Bus
• All Pear Shaped = It Went Wrong (the more wrong it went, the more you down play it - AKA: My car was on fire, so it was all a bit pear shaped.)
• Cheers = Thanks
• Hiya = Hello
• Lift = Elevator
• Car Park = Parking Lot
• Brekky = Breakfast
• Flat = Apartment 
• Sauces = Condiments

Along with an altered language comes different etiquette.

• Walk on the left - no one else will, but they drive on the left, you should walk on the left
• Speak quietly - America is a loud place, and so we are all used to speaking loudly; London is shockingly quiet, and so it's important to keep your volume low and be aware of how loud you're being
• Talking on the tube - people don't talk on the tube, so if you do, be sure to be quite and courteous towards fellow riders 
• Order at the bar - at most pubs you seat yourself and order at the bar rather than having a waitress come to your table; pick a table, have your table number if there is one on the table, and go up to the bar when you're ready to order

Documenting Your Adventure

      No one wants to forget their time abroad, that is why it is so key to take steps to document and immortalize your journey. In the new technological age, there are a million things you could do, from vlogs to old-fashioned journaling. These are the two I did:

Pictures - When I was in Japan, I barely took any pictures because I just wanted to experience it, not take my time worrying about taking pictures; however, now that four years have passed, I wish I would have taken pictures of my adventure to show others what I did and where I went. I vowed never to make that mistake again. I was armed with a camera and a phone, ready to take every picture imaginable, and I came back with a couple thousand to choose from, some of which I've posted on this blog, all of which I shared with my family and friends on Facebook so that they could see what I was up to, as I was not blogging while I was abroad. My cousin, Lisa, gave me a gift card for Shutterfly before I left, so when I got back I was able to put all my favorite/best photos into a book for me to keep and show people, because people want to see your adventure, and someday, when your memories are fading, you'll want to look back and see it, too.

Journals - I'm a writer, and so I'm an advocate of a good old fashioned journal for keeping your thoughts and documenting your days. My boyfriend, at one point over the last 5 years, gave me a TARDIS notebook, and it wasn't until I decided to go to London that I found the perfect use for it. I am a proud geek, and as such, I confidently carried my TARDIS journal with me everywhere I went to write down my thoughts, feelings, and observations around the city. Some days, it was just a few quick lines about what I did that day, others it was two pages about an interesting person sitting across from me on the tube. One day, I wrote, "There is a man across from me on the Northern Line, Charing Cross Branch. He's in a nice navy suit and slightly lighter blue tie. Headphones in, plugged into his Andriod phone that has a blue dinosaur case... That was the first thing out of place I noticed. Then, the neon purple and pink running shoes with black laces and the childish camo bag between his feet with bright yellow straps" (June 2, 2015 - 10:25am). I wrote about a lot of interesting people I saw on the tube, and often gave them stories, destinations, origins. I'm also an advocate because with a journal you are able to tape in all your tickets, pamphlets, and receipts you'd like to keep in one place.

Distance Makes the Heart Grown Fonder: Relationships While Abroad

       "Absence is to love what wind is to fire: it will extinguish the small and enkindle the great." My boyfriend of five and a half years says this to me quite often, as we were never the traditional couple that went to the same high school, and even now we don't attend the same college. There is always that fear when you or your significant other travels or goes away for an extended period of time, the fear that they may forget about you, that they may find someone else, that they may realize that they don't miss you at all, or worse yet, that you may find you don't miss them. But things like that happen when the wind has extinguished a small flame of passion masquerading as love, for when two people truly love each other, distance can only make that fondness stronger.

       It was not easy to say "see you later" to Taylor and board a plane for 3,724 miles away, but we both knew that this was an experience I could not pass up. That is the first part of this, the first part of any big decision in a couple's relationship made by one that affects them both - it's the question of support, and, quite honestly, if your significant other doesn't support you going abroad, it's time to reconsider the relationship. Now, do not misunderstand me. I don't mean that you should dump them if they're sad or hesitant about you leaving for 6 weeks or 4 months or a year; I mean that they should, no matter how much that distance will pull at their heart, support you in the adventure you'd like to embark on. 

       Every couple will have their own way of dealing with this time apart and their own method of communicating because usually you won't have a normal phone while abroad and will be completely reliant on wifi. 

Emails - When I went to Japan for three weeks during high school, we could only communicate through daily emails. Emails are nice because they are long love letters you can keep forever, but they are slower than the communication most of us are used to today, and that may cause some frustration if you're used to talking constantly with your significant other. 

iMessage - If you and your significant other have iPhones, iMessage is probably the easiest way to go, considering you're basically just texting them as you normally would and can use it as long as you're on wifi. 

Viber - Taylor and I used an app called Viber that allows instant messaging, calls, and facetime through wifi. It was very reliable, and I also used it to keep in touch with my family. It's free and you can talk to anyone who has the app as long as you both have wifi/data.

Facebook - Facebook is pretty obvious, but it's an easy way to keep in touch with messaging. 

To my surprise, I got to talk to Taylor a lot more than I expected while I was in London, even with him working full time as a chef and the 5 hour time difference. Every couple will be different, and Taylor and I had it easy because, as I said, we aren't used to seeing each other all the time. But as long as both of you work and you take your significant other's feelings into account, you should return to loving arms that missed you dearly and be able to pick up exactly where you left off.

Bucket Lists

       It's important to research your host country before going, especially in terms of what you'd like to do while over there. I had only 6 and half weeks to do everything I wanted in London, and as I said earlier, attacking London must be strategic; you have to prioritize and organize to get everything you want done. Pinterest and travel blogs are great places to get ideas of what's worth doing, what's just okay, and what are must do's, as well as finding the little hideaways and secret places others have found on their journeys. Refer to It's Okay to Be a Tourist and Must Do's From Me to You for my opinions on great things to do in London.

My Bucket List:

• Climb Big Ben - Unfortunately, I did not get to do this because you have to be a UK citizen to climb Big Ben, but I very much enjoyed staring at him and taking photos.

• Go the the Doctor Who Experience - It was a whovian's dream come true, and I recommend it for everyone who loves Doctor Who. The Experience is a secret, so you'll have to go to actually know what goes on there, but they have all the costumes and props (including the TARDIS!) from the show. Three friends and I took the train 2 hours outside of London to Cardiff Bay, Wales and spent the day at the Experience and then exploring the Bay: we saw Torchwood tower, street performers, beautiful sites, and had a great dinner before heading back to London. It was by far the best day of my trip. 

http://www.doctorwho.tv/events/doctor-who-experience/


• See a Show at the Globe Theatre - I actually got to see two shows: The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It. Both were absolutely amazing, and though it was painful to stand for three hours, it was worth it to get the groundling experience. It's 5 pounds for a groundling ticket, and worth it to see Shakespeare come to life. 
  
• Ride the London Eye - The morning we were set to ride, my friend Katy and I accidentally got on the wrong Underground train TWICE. We had tickets for 10am, and as we sprinted up Westminster Station steps, we could hear the seconds ticking down. The second my foot hit Westminster Bridge, Ben began tolling 10, and we just made it and were able to meet up with our friends to ride on time. It was an absolutely beautiful view and worth the pain in my chest from running to catch it. 
  
• Have Afternoon Tea in Fancy Hotel - Thankfully, my program, CAPA, took care of this one for me. Our first week, we all gathered at a hotel in South Kensington for proper English tea with finger foods and in fancy dress. It angered me slightly that some students showed up in street clothes, as that is not at all appropriate for tea, but my friends and I had a wonderful time. 
  
• Try Cider - This was the most dangerous thing on my bucket list, for once I tried it I could not stop drinking it, and I have craved it every day since coming home. English cider, unlike American Angry Orchard or Red's Apple Ale, is not as sweet and has a more bitter taste like beer. Because I am not a beer drinker, I doubted I would like it, but it ended up being my favorite drink and was always refreshing after a day of running around the city. Aspall and Strongbow (including Strongbow Dark Fruit) were my two favorites. Old Mount Cider is great if you want a fruity, refreshing drink on a hot day. 
  
• Eat REAL Fish and Chips - It's true that fish and chips are better over there. They're served with peas (either whole or smashed) and tater sauce, so if you like ketchup, like I do, you have to ask for "sauces" (refer to Act Like a Local: London Customs and Phrasing for proper ordering etiquette). I never had fish and chips I didn't like while I was over there, but the pubs know how to do it best, and you can't beat a cider to wash it down. 
• Take the Stereotypical Picture by a Phone Booth with Big Ben in the Background - Of course, everyone should do this because have you really been to London if you don't? It's a popular destination, so you have to be strategic about getting your photo. When we went to do ours, a bride and groom were doing photos, and we had to wait until they left to take ours. The photo's worth the hassle, though. 
  
• Have a Drink at the Old Bell Tavern on Fleet Street - My friend, when she went to London, frequented this pub most nights and told me I had to go and have a drink there. So, one night my two friends, Bridget and Katy, and I found ourselves near Fleet Street and decided to grab a pint. The entire way down the street we sang songs from Sweeney Todd and joked, we sat around a circular table by the horseshoe bar and drank a couple pints, and as we were knee-deep in a discussion of American politics and America's future, a Lithuanian man came and sat next to us. At first, we thought nothing of it and tried to include him in the conversation, but he was so drunk and his accent was so thick that understanding him was nearly impossible. It got better when he took a liking to Katy and put his arm around her. We tried every diversion tactic in the book: bringing up her imaginary boyfriend, telling him we were having a girls night, flat out ignoring him... Finally, I just pretended our friend texted us and that we had to go meet her, but, because we were two pints in at that point and not really thinking, we just went to the next pub on the street, and not two minutes later, once we had our drinks and a table, he walked in wanting to join us again. We got rid of him eventually, but it was a very interesting encounter, and one that has fondly burned the Old Bell into my memory. 
  
• Take a Picture at Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station - A must do on any Harry Potter fan's list. I went twice, once with my friends and once with my family when they came for vacation, and both times were absolutely amazing and fun. Pictures are free and the line moves pretty quickly, plus the store is pretty cool - I got a t-shirt from there that was very comfortable. 
  
• Talk to a Stranger in a Pub - This happened several times, obviously. There was the Lithuanian guy, a Greek man I had a lovely conversation about the English language with, and two men who bought us a round and danced with us at a pub with live music (that night I was also asked by an extremely intoxicated man if he could take me home, which was both flattering and hilarious). 
• Do All the Touristy Things - You have to, you just do, when you're in London. There are so many cool things and historical places that are just fun to go to, and with the London Pass, it's easy to do them all for a very discounted rate. 
  
• Find a TARDIS - I did find one! It's outside Earl's Court Tube station, which also happened to be the station for my family's flat when they came over for vacation. 
  
• Get a Great Family Photo - This was the first time my mother, father, sister, and I have ever been on vacation together because my parents are divorced and my sister is my half-sister, so I've never had the chance to be with just them somewhere else, and on top of that, a picture of the four of us together never actually existed before this trip. So, thank you to my wonderful roommate Bridget for taking such a wonderful photo of us.
  
• Ride a Double Decker Bus - Another must do in London. Buses are a bit difficult to figure out and are certainly not more convenient than the tube, but are fun and not a bad way to get around London while still seeing everything, considering the tube is very much underground. 
  
• Go to the Natural History Museum - I'm not one for museums, but they are free in London, and the Natural History Museum was amazing and full of interesting artifacts. 
  
• Go to a Night Club - This is a bit of a cheat, since I counted my "night club" as a bar with dancing and live music. Clubs aren't my forte, but I did enjoy the pub we went to. Koko in Camden Town, though, is, from what I hear, a great club to go to if you're into that kind of thing.
• Take a Picture with the Royal Guard - Another must do, of course. They're every where, but it is difficult to get close to them. The closest we got was at Windsor Castle. 
  
• Go to the IceBar - Absolutely go! It was so much fun. You have to prepay online and book, but it's right in central London, and for your admission price you get an awesome cloak, a cocktail in a glass made of ice, and 40 minutes. It's actually not that cold, and really the only reason you're there is for the awesome photos, but the cocktail was delicious, and we had a blast. 
  
• Climb to the Top of St. Paul's Cathedral - 528 steps to the top of St. Paul's dome for a gorgeous view of London. Bridget and I dragged ourselves to the top, and it was worth it in the end, but my legs were definitely not happy the next day. We were dying, but we still looked pretty from the top!
  
• Find the City of London Crest - This one was actually given to me by my boyfriend, and at first I didn't understand where I was supposed to find this mystical crest, but as soon as I went from Westminster into the City of London, it was literally everywhere. 
  
• Find a Piece for my Wall - I have a wall in my room covered in random things from all over the world, from Shisa statues from Okinawa to Italian masks to a preserved spider from the Middle East, so I knew I needed something from London to add to my collection. I ended up finding many things, including a painting and several photos from all around London that I am very excited to put up. 
  
• Go to the Bedlam Museum - Unfortunately, this was put to the side and I never got to go, but I did so many amazing things that I'm not too upset about missing out on one museum. 
• Go on the Jack the Ripper Tour - Katy, Bridget, and I ended up going on this tour together and it was so much fun. Our tour guide was the most amazing man, completely hilarious and entertaining, which you don't think of when you go on a Ripper tour, but it actually made it that much better, and he was very knowledgeable and took us around the sites where the women were found. 
  
• Go to Hatchard's Book Store - Hatchard's is the Queen's bookstore and the oldest bookstore in London. I ended up buying two books and a journal, all of which were very good buys. It's just one of those spots you should see. 
  
• Kenilworth Castle - This was a site my program took us to see. It's a castle in ruins with a recreated rose garden in the back and was said to be the home of Queen Victoria's lover. It's an amazing place, and we had so much fun running around and taking pictures. 
  
• Cardiff Castle - Because I was only in Cardiff for a day rather than a weekend as I had planned, I didn't get a chance to go, but hopefully I will get to go back and see it some day. 
• Stonehenge - An obvious tourist destination, but it is absolutely wonderful and worth the trip outside London to see. I could feel the energy and history of it, and though we will never truly know how it was used or built, it's mystery makes it that much more appealing to curious humans. 
  
• Bath - The Roman Baths were really cool; however, the tourists were absolutely awful. They all had the audio tour which made them stand in the middle of everything without moving. My favorite part was sitting by the baths and writing. 
  
• Princess Diana Memorial Walk - It goes across four parks, but we only did a bit of it in Hyde Park because, quite honestly, we got distracted by food and had a hard time finding the plaques we were supposed to follow. We ended up having a very nice day, though, as we rented a paddle boat and went out on the Serpentine for an hour and sang to Taylor Swift. 
  
• Read Shakespeare in the Park - I did this several times, as I was taking a Shakespeare class and parks are the perfect places to read. My favorite day was reading The Tempest in St. James' Park with the animals frolicking around me and people walking by. 
  
• Windsor Castle - It's everything you want a castle to be! It is slightly touristy, but you can see what a working castle looks like and it's absolutely beautiful. Bridget and I began our London Pass week here, and we had a wonderful time and sat for a nice lunch at a place called Bill's before heading back to London. 
  
• Frolicking on Castle Grounds - Because who wouldn't want to do this? Natalie and I skipped in the grass by Kenilworth castle, holding hands and laughing. It was a beautiful, sunny day, barely any clouds in the sky, and felt pretty magical. 
  

Bucket Lists really help to keep your priorities in line, and there's no harm in adding as you go. Mine streamlined what I really wanted/had to do, and now it's a fun thing to share with people who ask about my trip. 

Common Sense: Your Most Important Tool

       We've all heard it before: gypsies are real, wallets get stolen, people get mugged/raped/drugged/hurt, look left instead of right, etc. etc. etc... But all of these things are so important, especially when traveling somewhere you've never been by yourself.

Things To Keep in Mind:

• Keep your wallet in your front pocket
• Get a crossbody purse/messenger bag and hold it in front of you so that you never have something on your back - it's easier to steal it if you can't see it
• Be aware of who is around you
• Cover your drinks - if someone offers to buy you a drink, go to the bar with them to make sure they can't put anything in it
• Don't go out at night alone if you can help it 
• Do not engage with people who are drunk on the street or look sketchy
• Be polite - you're more likely to get hurt if you ruffle some random person's feathers
• No one left behind - DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT leave your friend, or let your friends leave you, alone at a bar/pub/club; people are more likely to be attacked/mugged when they're alone, especially if they've been drinking
• Make sure you have a DW (Designated Walker) - someone who can get you and everyone else home safely so that you aren't a group of drunks wandering through the streets alone
• Take turns drinking excessively when you go out so that everyone gets a turn to be a little crazy, but always make sure someone is sober enough to get your home alright
• Ladies, watch yourselves - there are a lot of perverts out there, so buddy up and keep your wits about you
• Do not go out with anyone you don't trust 
• If you are drinking in London and the tube closes or you don't think you could navigate it, please, please, call a taxi; they aren't too expensive and it's better to pay a little more to get home than to be wandering for hours or try to figure out the bus system drunk (it's difficult enough while sober)
• Likewise, if you're with a friend who is going somewhere different from you and has to travel alone, it is better if you put them in a cab and have them pay you back than risk them not getting home safely

Admittedly, I am not a city girl by any means, so going to London was completely outside my comfort zone, but that was also a big part of why I picked it: I wanted to experience city life. We went out almost every night to a pub to drink and relax, which was a lot of fun, but we always made sure someone was sober enough to get us home (especially if we had to navigate the tube). London, however, is also not like most cities. It is perhaps the safest city you could be in, and I say that for several reasons: 1) guns, knives, and mace are illegal, so it's a safe bet that those who would try to mug you have only a very small pocket knife or just their fists, 2) there are lights and cameras EVERYWHERE, so finding a place to hurt someone without the risk of getting caught is difficult, if not impossible, and 3) the city closes early, so most likely you will always be out with people around and very rarely find yourself on an empty street while walking home. I am a very cautious person, someone who usually carries a pocket knife in my purse and was very uncomfortable not being allowed one in London, but I soon realized that I felt so entirely safe there. We went on countless night walks, and never once did I feel in danger. As long as you are aware of your surroundings and don't look like someone who would be an easy target, you'll be fine. 

Stick with your friends and have common sense, simple as that. 

Are You Who You Say You Are?

       I think one of the biggest anxieties among students traveling overseas, especially since we are traveling, maybe for the first time, without our parents or a wiser family member, is the fear of not being allowed into the country, of being sent away for one reason or another, or even for not being able to get back into the States. That is why it is paramount to have every piece of documentation your could ever need with you, safe at all times.

What Documents You Need:

• Driver's License/State ID - if you're going somewhere where you'll be allowed to drink, you may be carded, and a driver's license is the easiest way to prove your age
• Passport - this is obvious, but you will need it to leave and get back into the country and to prove your identity at the airport and customs 
• Insurance Cards - your American insurance cards probably won't be much help overseas, but having them is part of the "better safe than sorry" side of the argument; you will most likely also have an insurance card and/or insurance information from the program, and this card/information should always be on your in your wallet/purse in case of emergency
• Student ID - you'll want to have your home school student ID on you, not only for the program, but also for any concession rates offered; you may also receive an international student card, and it is important that is always on you so that you can prove you're a student
• Entry Letter - most likely you're program will give you an Entry Letter to present to the boarder patrol which will prove that you are coming into their country to study and are enrolled in a program 
• Flight Itinerary - because you are on a student/work visa, you will have to show proof of departure and intention to leave the country within the confines of your visa 

The easiest way to keep all these things together is to get a folder or some kind of document holder - document holders can be found anywhere, but Etsy offers from great homemade and unique ones for not bad prices. 

This is mine - it's cloth with an old map design and has two passport holders and two card holders; it kept all my documents safe and together during my trip!

I bought it from The Ruby Cottage (https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRubyCottage?ref=l2-shopheader-name) whom I found on Pinterest 

Also, be sure to make copies of all your documents before you leave! Make a copy for yourself, which after you arrive should be hidden separately from your actual documents, and a copy for your parents to keep should both your copies and your originals get stolen/lost. 

Carry-On, My Traveling Son

       Your carry-on is probably the most important bag you have while abroad. It will carry all the most important things you have, will mostly likely be your travel bag while abroad for weekend trips, and will save you, hopefully, from fees on overweight luggage when coming back to the States.

What to Pack in Your Carry-On:

• EVERYTHING IMPORTANT - this means your documents, copies of your documents, passport, boarding passes, flight itinerary, entry letter, program details, ID, money/credit cards/debit cards, and emergency numbers
• Things to keep you entertained - laptop, books, phone (even though you probably won't be able to use it once you take off), iPod, notebooks, journals, headphones, puzzles, etc.
• Valuables - this is all the jewelry you're taking (don't take expensive stuff - god forbid you lose it), chargers, electronics, prescription medication and prescription from the doctor, and irreplaceable items
• A change of clothes (or two) - as much as we hate to admit it, bags get lost all the time; keeping an extra pair of underwear, socks, pants, and a shirt in your carry-on gives you at least a day's worth of clothes to get your bag back or quickly buy some replacements until your bag is found; my bag was lost when I traveled to Japan, and thankfully I had an extra outfit in my carry-on which was just enough to tide me over until my bag arrived; EVEN IF YOU HAVE A DIRECT FLIGHT, PACK EXTRA CLOTHES, YOU NEVER KNOW
• Travel toiletries - a hairbrush, hair tie, make-up, mouth wash, feminine products (you never know), and pain reliever; it's a safe bet you're going to be on the airplane for at least 6 hours, most likely over night, and you don't want your host country's first image of you to be unbrushed hair, morning breath, and yesterday's make-up smeared across your face; freshening up in the airplane bathroom before landing will wake you up and make you feel ready for the day, no matter how bad your jetlag is; just be sure to keep these toiletries in compliance with airport regulations and in a Ziploc bag 
• Magical Items - I'm a superstitious person and never travel without one item to protect me; in Japan, during a series of unfortunate events, I bought a stuffed Shisa (an Okinawan lion-dog that's said to be a guardian of fortune) which now sits in my car everyday, but because I was traveling a long way, I decided to bring him with me to avoid bad luck; magical items should always be kept with you rather than in your checked luggage, really just as a courtesy to the item; would you want to be shoved in a suitcase for 8 hours and stored under a plane? probably not
• Overflow - anything that you can't keep in your big suitcase because you're over 50 pounds because you just absolutely needed that third pair of heels or that fourth dress because what if you're out at a pub and a really cute British guy comes up to you and asks you out; you would definitely want to wear it on your date with him

Luggage my mother gave me for Christmas - the suitcase and carry-on matched and was very easily identifiable in an airport; the carry-on was also spacious and had a laptop pocket - always useful!

Budgeting Your Budget

       Quite possibly the most stressful part of studying abroad is money - how can any college student afford to study in another country? Where will you find the money for tuition, let alone the money to actually live over there? Fear not, there are many ways to pay for study abroad. Here are just a few, to be used by themselves or combined at the discretion of those using them.

Ways To Pay:

Out-Of-Pocket - Many people work their butts off to save for studying abroad; they get second jobs, work during school, and stash away every dollar of Christmas and birthday money they've gotten over the last year and a half in a false book. They collect every penny, quarter, and nickel until they have enough to take to the local CoinStar in hopes of having at least $50 more than they did earlier.

Loans - This is what I did. I did not originally intend on studying abroad, but when I decided it was important to me, I was in the mindset that I will be in debt for a good portion of my life anyway, what was $13,000 more? Especially when it meant going to London for 6 weeks, which I would have not otherwise been able to do. Loans need to be taken seriously, though; it is by no means free money - someday, you will have to pay them back (with interest), but they are the best option for those who don't just have thousands of dollars lying around.
             I did run into problems with my loan, though, two weeks before I left. After speaking to my study abroad and financial offices several times, they led me astray. I was told that getting my loan 4 weeks before my departure would be enough time, but it was not, and there was a risk of me not getting my money before I left. I got it the day before I left, thankfully, but there was also an issue with my budget. The school did not tell me that they budgeted me, and so when I put my loan in for $15,000 (which, after months of doing math and working out exchange rates and cost, was the number I came up with for my budget), they took it down to $13,000 without telling me because that's the maximum they thought I needed. Unfortunately, there was no way to bypass that, and thankfully it wasn't horrible and didn't ruin my trip, but it was unneeded stress right before I went. So, with that being said, if you are planning on/thinking about using a student loan, make sure you are fully communicating with your financial aid office and aware of the power they have and the numbers they are laying out.

Scholarships - It's unlikely you could get scholarships to pay for everything, but they are great for getting the cost down, especially if you've never traveled before. Unfortunately, because my parents make too much money and I have traveled before, I was not eligible for many scholarships (another reason I paid with student loans). There are a ton of scholarships out there, though, so chase them all while you can, let them know why you're the best person to give their money to - why do you want to travel? What inspires you about your host country? Why study abroad? Why your program? Why now? What do you hope to find over there?

Things to Include in Your Budget:

• Tuition
• Program Deposit - this will be upfront money that will count towards the total cost of your program but will be due in cash or by check ahead of time
• Administrative Fee - this will go to your home campus and keeps your school email, accounts, and ID active
• Textbooks - this will always depend on your classes/program, but usually $200 is a good estimate
• Airfare - look at the prices of tickets during the time of year you'll be traveling; you can usually find good discounts for students, but always budget (if you're flying somewhere like Europe or Asia) at least $1,300; I ended up only paying $967 for my direct, round trip tickets; Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest dates to book flights; keep in mind you will most likely have to pay out of pocket for this because your loan will not come early enough; book earlier rather than later
• Airport Transfers - $70-$100 depending; cabs are most likely going to rip you off when you first get there, so it's better to pre-book a transfer
• Local Cellphone - most programs will require you to have a phone; we paid less than $50 for a bunch of minutes and texts on crappy track phones; usually they will tell you where to buy these; be safe and budget at least $100
• Personal Expenses and Food - this will be the biggest cost other than tuition; make sure you take exchange rate into account, as well as other trips you may want to take while over there, how often you'll be eating out, and things you'll want to buy; the last thing you want is to miss out on fun times because you didn't budget enough to go out with your friends

Tips to Save Money:

• London Pass - the London Pass is an amazing card that, for a flat, very reduced rate, gives you entrance into most tourist sites in London, including, but not limited to: Windsor Castle, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The Monument, the London Zoo, Kensington Palace, and the Tower Bridge Exhibition; it comes in either 3-day or 6-day packages, and you can include travel if you do not have an Oyster Card (http://www.londonpass.com/)

• Concession Rates - students will often get discounts with a valid student ID; look out for those because the savings add up quickly
• Cook Rather Than Eating Out - especially in London, it is so tempting to go out to eat every single night, but those meals add up faster than you think (and so do the drinks), so do yourself and your wallet a favor, and go to the local produce market or store and eat in a few nights a week; invite over your new friends and have a cooking party, then you can go out and drink!

One thing my friends and I ran into while abroad was the small costs we didn't expect (paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent, trash bags, toilet paper, etc.), so plan accordingly for things like that ahead of time. Also, WATCH YOUR MONEY! It seems like you aren't spending a lot, but when you take exchange rates into account, it's more than you think. The Pound is worth more than the Dollar right now - it was about $1.50 to the pound while I was there, and before we knew it (in only a week and a half) each of us had spent close to $900. So, watch your bank account, take exchange into consideration, and cut costs where you can. Buy things you really want/would actually use. I bought more things for myself during this trip than I ever have on any trip, even when I went to Japan, but most of it was art (12 pieces including a painting, photographs, and posters). 

If you're in London and you want to get little things for yourself or others, the markets are the best places to go. The Camden Markets (right off the Camden Town tube station on the Northern Line) is full of eclectic shops and local merchandise, such as paintings, photos, jewelry, tea, and clothing. The prices aren't bad either and the shop owners are very nice.  

Camden Lock Markets on the Canal - great food and shops

Painting of Tower Bridge I bought at the Camden Markets from a local painter - only 25 Pounds for a big square painting

If you get a painting, find a Rymend's and get a poster tube for easy and safe travel home

Packing Under 50 Pounds of Your Life in One Suitcase

This is a strategic packing list specifically designed for summer in London, but can be used for most countries with some tweaking; amounts vary according to your time abroad and style varies according to the destination and season. Be aware that in London business casual is every day dress - rarely, if ever, will you find people in sweatpants or lazy clothes. This packing list brought my suitcase to 46 pounds, and it was 48 pounds on the way back. 

Clothes:

• Jeans
• Skinny Jeans
• Trench Coat
• Dressy Tops
• Dresses - casual and mildly formal
• Skirts - long and short (in London, shorts, unless worn over black tights - I know, it sounds odd - aren't worn by locals, only tourists; you'll stick out, I promise)
• Tank Tops 
• Cover Ups/Button Downs - in place of sweatshirts on cold days
• T-shirts
• Sweatpants - for lounging around, working out, and plane rides
• Jacket
• Sweaters 

Accessories:

• Scarves - a girl's best accessory, which I only discovered once in London
• Jewelry - not expensive or sentimental stuff, only every day wear that you wouldn't be devastated to lose
• Belt
• Umbrella
• Comfortable - I MEAN EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE - walking shoes 
• Dressy flats 
• Sandals
• Comfortable flats

Toiletries:

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Toothpaste/Toothbrush
• Hairbrush
• Hairspray - a must in London with wind and rain
• Deodorant
• Body Spray/Perfume
• Hair Ties/Hair Clips 
• Pain Relief Medicine - Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.  
• Prescription Medication - make sure you have enough for the length of your trip
• Blister Pads - you'll be glad you had them
• Face Wash
• Body Wash
• Make-up Remover
• Make-up

Extras:

• Towel 
• Pillow Case - to use as a laundry bag 
• Sheets - if needed, some programs may provide them
• Your favorite bed buddy - this may be a pillow, stuffed animal, or blanket from home
• A picture - mine was of my boyfriend and I 
• A camera/charger/cords
• My phone/charger
• iPod/charger
• Laptop/charger
• Journal
• Notebooks/Folders for school
• Messenger Bag
• Crossbody Purse
• Wallet
• Documents

Packing Tips:

• Roll. Roll. Roll. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them not only creates more space, but also keeps clothes from wrinkling or creasing
• Place heavier items - jeans, jackets, shoes, etc. - at the bottom of your suit case to keep the weight grounded
• Put your toiletries at the top of your suitcase to avoid them being crushed, and consequently spilled/cracked open, during travel
• Wrap your toiletries in Ziploc bags, that way if they do accidentally spill they won't get all over your clothes
• Leave plenty of room (and weight) for bringing things back, or plan on bringing a smaller suitcase back as your carry-on (using your carry-on bag as your personal item)
• Weigh your suitcase before you go to the airport or before you get in line to check in - it will save you, and those in line behind you, time and frustration 

Here are some links to other blogs I found helpful when packing and preparing for my trip:

Study Abroad Packing List: Summer Semester in Europe

Studying Abroad: Packing Tips

Top 15 Items for Studying Abroad in London

To Buy or Not to Buy

       One of the biggest questions when packing for any traveling adventure: what to I buy at home and what do I wait to buy when I'm there? 

Buy At Home:

• Clothes - depending on where you're studying, you may need some new attire either for class, exploring, or an internship. For instance, if you're going to London, a raincoat/trench coat is a necessity. Always look up what kind of clothes are appropriate in your host country, as all countries have different customs, and buy/pack accordingly. In London, as a tip, it isn't normal for women to wear shorts like we do in the United States unless they are wearing tights under them, but skirts and dresses are completely acceptable. London fashion tends to be business casual all the time, and should you dress in sweatpants and a t-shirt, you will surely stick out. 
• Sturdy Luggage - Traveling abroad isn't like a plane ride to Florida. Your luggage is bound to be thrown around, rooted through at customs, and could even be lost depending on your flights and airports (it happens to the best of us; to help avoid it, get direct flights without layovers). You'll need luggage that can withstand being thrown around and will protect your valuables inside from breaking should it be dropped. Both hard case and soft case are good, but a soft suitcase will give you more room to expand and over-pack. Shoot for a bag that can stand up to weather, god forbid you get trapped outside in a down pour.
• A Good Carry-on - Now, you'll most likely be on a plane for many many hours, and you'll want a carry on that can fit a ton of stuff (refer to Carry On, My Traveling Son for carry-on packing list) but may double as a weekend bag and can certainly be used for overflow on the way home to avoid going over 50 pounds in your checked bag. And, again, waterproof is key.
• A Crossbody Purse - Girls, this is essential for anywhere, especially a city. You want a bag with zippers, inside pockets, and a thick strap that will remain secure around you should anyone try to steal it. Fanny-packs ARE NOT a good idea. People have worked out easy ways to cut them off of you, and so a crossbody is the best way to go. Buy one with plenty of room for your wallet, journal, phone, camera, and umbrella (if you're going somewhere rainy). 
• A Document Holder - This is the best way to keep everything in one place and make your life easier going through airport security. I used my mother's when I traveled to Japan in 2012, but for my study abroad journey, I bought my own. It was kind of like a right of passage, a physical representation of you being in charge of this adventure, of your important documents, really of your entire identity. This will hold your plane tickets, flight itinerary, emergency money, passport, entry letter (a letter from the school stating you're coming into the country to study), etc. This is something to then be hidden in your apartment separate from your document copies - refer to Are You Who You Say You Are? for more information about documents and what you should have with you while abroad.
• Shampoo/Conditioner - most blogs will tell you to buy this in your host country, but because I dye my hair, I brought mine with me. It does add weight to the luggage, and so it is completely to your discretion whether you think its necessary or not, as in London there were many chemists (pharmacies) that carried shampoo and conditioner. 
• Make-up - though most popular brands can be found anywhere, the last thing you want is to have to add those costs while you're abroad. Bring it with you in your toiletry bag to ensure no confusion and no make-up-less days, especially if you're someone who wears it every day. 
• A Journal - if you plan on keeping a journal, you should do so from the get-go, not once you arrive. Document your feelings from the very beginning, even in the planning phases, so that you'll always remember how it felt. Not to mention, a journal is an excellent place to keep all the important dates, numbers, and information given to you by your school or program before your trip starts. 
• Camera - if you don't have one, and you aren't going to be satisfied with your phone's camera, buy one before hand so you have pictures from start to finish and don't pay an outrageous amount after conversion.
• Shoes - comfortable shoes are a must anywhere you go. Odds are you'll be walking nearly everywhere. Even in London, a city with probably the best public transportation systems in the world, I averaged 12 miles a day, and I promise you'll be sorry if you don't have good shoes.

Buy There:

• Household Items - Most likely you'll be in an apartment with other students or at a home stay. Should you be in an apartment, you'll need to buy things like paper towels, dish soap, dishwasher soap (if you have one), toilet paper, etc. All of those things can be picked up cheaply at the local store, and usually you can split those costs with your roommate/flatmates.
• School Books - If you are required to get school books, odds are there is a way to get them over there and avoid the weight coming over. However, always check with your program before assuming you can by them on the fly. A semester abroad leaves little room to be waiting for books.

Buying lists will vary based on where you're going and what you'll be doing, and of course who you are as a person. The best things to buy once you're there are souvenirs - I came home with 12 pieces of art, from posters to paintings to photographs and several shirts. You'll want to buy fun things while you're there, so get the boring things out of the way early, and budget them well. 

Jumping Across the Pond

       On May 19, 2015, I found myself packing my mother's car with my new red and black luggage to set upon a journey I'd spent a little over a year planning. My stomach twisted into tight knots as we cruised US-15 South towards Washington, DC. I can't say exactly what I was thinking, or if I was thinking anything at all. My mind raced round and round in endless loops of "what ifs" and "how could I's." What if I forgot something? What if I didn't pack my passport or my student ID or my entry letter? What if I'm alone? What if the plane crashes? What if I hate it? What if I get mugged? What if my bags are lost? What if... What if... What if... It's always the unknown answers that haunt us at night, the looming uncertainty that drives us to insanity, and it was exactly those things that made me unable to eat when we stopped for lunch, that had me in a cold sweat as we pulled into the airport parking lot.

       My mother walked me in, as I had never flown alone, and helped me get my bags checked and my heart settled before I went beyond the gate that allowed only ticket holders. To say I wasn't in a constant state of feeling like I'd be sick, would be a lie and a great injustice to the point of this blog, which is to impart a bit of wisdom onto those considering studying abroad. Thankfully, once past security I met up with another girl in my program and on my flight named Katy, an odd-duck, a gentle soul, and, to my pleasure, a fellow Doctor Who fanatic. We made our way to the gate, where we awaited the last member of our band, Bridget, who would be my roommate upon arrival in London. She came into sight not long after we sat, her step as bouncy as her blonde curls. And that moment, the exact one of introductions and excited, I'll be it nervous, exchanges, a bond was formed between the three of us. And, when we would arrive in London and meet up with the final member of the London Dream Team, as we so fondly named ourselves, we would become an inseparable group of explorers and constant companions. This was to my great pleasure, and a bit of a surprise to my fearful mind, as it is everyone's worst nightmare to be completely alone in a foreign land. 

       For nearly 3 hours, we sat in the airport, first by our gate, then at a small cafe for food. We kept the silence at a minimum, as I suspect we would have only stewed in our nervousness should it have sat for too long. We prepared for the flight by utilizing the one outlet at our disposal and forming what will forever be known as the "charging pyramid": first, we plugged my laptop in, then the three cellphone chargers into its three USB ports, until another outlet opened up, where we then had a tablet charging and a phone plugged into it. Whoever claims the technological generation isn't resourceful obviously hasn't experienced the crisis of dying cellphones. 

       We boarded the plane after what felt like merely minutes of waiting, and from there we flew the eight hours towards London, towards sunrise, and towards the beginning of our new adventure.