Studying Abroad and Student Travel

One of the most amazing, if not the best, experiences of my college years was studying abroad. As a student of Syracuse University, I had a plethora of destination options to choose from. Because I was a biology major having to take numerous labs, studying abroad during the school year was a challenge for me if I wanted to graduate on time, as there aren’t too many biology and chemistry classes/labs offered overseas. Given this predicament, what did I do? I studied abroad during the summer semester following my junior year of college. An amazing decision that I would repeat if I could. Nonetheless, the knowledge I gained that summer far exceeded anything I could have learned from a text book or professor. It exposed me to a new culture and way of life, fostered my independence, and created a passion for travel, setting the stage for a lifetime of exploration.

While some university study abroad programs have dorms, I had the opportunity to live with a wonderful family in the beautiful city of Strasbourg, France. It was centrally located, walkable to classes (passing amazing pasty shops along the way…and eating too many for my own good), and easily accessible to the train station for weekend travel adventures. The program planned a number of trips as a group, such as a trip to Alsace Lorraine for a vinyard tour and lots of wine tasting, Geneva, and Paris, and I travelled with friends during the weekends that weren’t formally planned. Nonetheless, as a Jewish young adult, I was placed in a Jewish home (more religious than mine) and gained the perspective of a different Jewish way of life…two sinks in the kitchen and two refrigerators to separate milk and meat, observing the Sabbath (when I was in town)… not turning on/off lights, flushing toilets or cooking during the Sabbath, and saying blessings when we dined. Of course, I was also forced to practice my French at the dining room table and while watching French TV. Needless to say, while many may have apprehension about such an opportunity, it really opened my eyes to a different way of life. I appreciated the experience and really loved the family with which I developed a wonderful relationship…ma famille en France! And of course, living in France was so very different from living in the States. The French seem to function at a slower pace, have an appreciation for freshly prepared foods and wine, have a love for art and culture, and truly celebrate each and every day. Living in France was just different.

The study abroad program was relatively small, enabling one to meet all the students. Several of us bonded and spent weekends traveling to various countries such as Australia, Prague, Nice, Paris, and more. For the first time in my life, I was planning my own trips, figuring out the train system, where and how to get to our destinations, and, of course, where to stay. How might we have done this without the Internet you might ask? EuroRail train pass, lots of walking, going to train stations to find out schedules, using the handy dandy travel guide known as Let’s Go Europe, and reading maps…yes, real maps as there were no Smart phones, Mapquest or Google maps to assist. Of course, our guidebook also provided a list of hostels ranging in price, reputation, and amenities (bathroom in the room or down the hall) which helped us find places to stay, by either calling ahead or arriving and checking on availability on the spot. This experience enabled me to foster my independence as a young adult and survive on my own without parental guidance, approval or input. After completion of my adventures studying abroad, I travelled by train from Nice to Paris, stayed overnight in Paris, caught a train to Calais where I got a boat to Dover, England, caught another train to London, where I took the tubes to meet my mom for some further exploration of England. Ahhh, to stay in a nice, comfy, clean hotel. It was like heaven…and great to see mommy dearest. All of this travel I did solo and survived to talk about it years later. It was quite an adventure that helped me grow as an independent adult capable of taking on the world.

One might think that studying abroad might be too costly. However, by comparison, the cost to a regular semester at school may not differ too much. Of course, studying abroad during the summer semester will add to the overall cost of one’s college education. My parents had informed me that going overseas during the summer would only be possible if I made enough money the summer prior in order to have sufficient spending money to get me through Europe and the following year of school. So, what did I do? I got myself a high paying job (for a student) in a lab the summer prior that not only was sufficient to support me abroad and the following school year, but it also allowed me to buy a stereo…and yes, I still have that stereo in my home office today! I also still have the Geiger sweater coat that I bought in Australia (in addition to a few moth holes). Suffice it to say, this experience also made me figure out how to support myself in order to enjoy my time abroad.

This entire experience set the stage for years to come of travel and exploration. I’m pretty fortunate that I’ve married someone who shares this passion and that we’ve been able to enjoy this love with our children, the older of whom is Payton, who started this website and business. His passion for travel and knowledge about maximizing points via optimizing credit card use and hotel/airline loyalty has enabled all of us to travel to far away destinations while minimizing costs. Thanks P!!! The experience of studying abroad is like no other. I thank my parents for this opportunity and will make studying abroad a must-do for my kids! Safe travels, and may your experiences open your eyes to varied cultures, amazing scenery in its natural state, and foster bonds with others that last a life. Bon voyage!