So, I have now been in Russia for a bit of time, and I have
already learned so many ways to make the trip a little easier! Preparation for
a trip abroad is NEVER easy. It can be pretty stressful, and
hearing advice from others that have studied abroad will never fully make you
feel prepared for the adventure ahead.
Three months away from home is intimidating.
I doubt it’s something anyone really knows how to prepare for completely. The
only thing I can say for certain is that you will not be certain of everything
before you leave. But it is WORTH taking that jump!
That being said, here’s the top ten things I’d say are the
most important to know before going off on a journey like this! Everyone has an
incredibly different experience, so take what you will from what I’ve learned,
throw out the rest, and find your own way through!
1. Get your passport
early! There’s no reason to wait, so as soon as you know you are traveling,
get that passport! It will make the visa process much less stressful to already
have your passport on hand.
2. Think carefully
about weather. Today is March 6th in Russia and it was 15
degrees today, which was the warmest day so far. Bring lots of layered clothing!
I wear two layers of pants and long socks on my thirty-minute walk to and from
class each day. Keep weather in mind when you’re packing.
3. Bring something to
decorate your room! Homesickness WILL come, no matter how boring you think
your hometown is. Having simple pictures or decorations from your own room will
help make your new place feel more like yours. Which is important when
everything around can feel so foreign. Bring a part of YOU with you!
4. If you have a
favorite food or snack, bring it! You’ll want to have your comfort food
while you’re figuring out which grocery stores have what. My best friend LOVES
hot Cheetos, and Russia doesn’t really have spicy foods. She brought a 20 pack
of hot Cheetos, and she’s thriving because of it. Having your favorite foods
can be a great way to bring a little home with you!
5. Get as much rest
as you can on the plane ride over! Y’all, jet lag is for real. My first
week I’d fall asleep as soon as classes were over and then I’d be up at four or
five in the morning. It’s rough. Try and make is as smooth as possible for
yourself. I know it’s not easy to sleep on planes, but that’s not the only way
to rest! If you stay still and close your eyes, your body gets close to the amount
of rest you would if you were able to sleep. So sit back, relax, and do what
you can to control the jet lag!
6. Find the ways to
operate the way you need to. My first week, all of my classmates and I were
together a TON. We have class six days a week from ten in the morning to six at
night, and sometimes we go see shows after. As an introvert, this was
exhausting!!! Our post-lunch acting class felt so unproductive because I was
just exhausted, especially by the end of the week. But I found that if I had
lunch by myself/in a quieter room, I would have the energy for that class. It’s
all about finding the ways that you need to operate. Pay attention to when you
get exhausted, need to hang out with others more or less, and LISTEN TO
YOURSELF! You know what you need. You just gotta learn how to listen.
7. Think ahead about
money. Every traveler is different, especially with finances. My classmates
and I took a range of $1,000 to $6,000 to spend. A three-month trip in Moscow
can be done on $1,000, but if you know you like eating out and treating
yourself, make sure you bring the funds to do that! It’s a little hard to plan
completely ahead not knowing how much groceries/meals are going to cost, but
I’d recommend bring more than you think you’ll need, then creating a more
specific budget for groceries/restaurants/souvenirs about two weeks in when you
have a better idea of how much things cost for you! Also, if you want a ball
park for what you’d spend, track yourself for three months before you go to see
how much you typically spend, then add about 20% more for souvenirs/other
adventures you wouldn’t be able to have at home.
8. Learn at least the
alphabet of the place that you are going! Russia uses the Cyrillic
alphabet. Several words in Russian that are very important (bank, restaurant,
toilet, etc.) are very similar to the English translation. However, it’s
written in a different alphabet so it won’t be as clear. If you come in knowing
at least how to pronounce the alphabet, there will be a little less language
fatigue to deal with. Learning the alphabet at least is a good first step
before you go! Also, some basic phrases like “Hello, Thank You, and Sorry” can
go a long way at the beginning.
9. Remember that this
is still school, and find a good balance with adventure! It’s the constant
struggle here—do I read another play or go try out a new restaurant? Find a way
to stay dedicated to your studies while also letting go and having fun! You’re
only abroad for so long—take advantage of that! But also keep in mind the
education you’re there to get.
10. Have FUN!
This can be one of the most positive experiences of your life. Studying abroad
can give you such an expansive view not only of the world, but of yourself as
well. Embrace the fear, be brave, and focus on what goes well. These are going
to be some of the best memories of your life, and treasure making them!!!
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