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I just found out that I got into the Rome program I applied to and decided I wanted to make a list of my goals for studying abroad. I’m super excited with what opportunities I’ll get to have and how much growth I’ll get to experience as a 20-year-old.
Being a student with a crazy class and work schedule and a strict budget makes it almost impossible for me to travel, so being able to do both for five months is super heckin’ exciting.
After backpacking around Europe this summer, I made a promise to myself that I would do whatever it takes to be able to travel. The countless hours I spent researching which program and city would fit me best, I ended up choosing Rome.
Here’s a list of some of my goals for studying abroad in Rome:
So I’ve never taken any Italian speaking courses so this might be slightly difficult but I’m all game. When I went to Rome this past summer I learned pretty much the basics of Italian 101 and kind of what I needed to know as a tourist. I picked up a few phrases here and there that I learned from Italian locals and am hoping that my Italian vocabulary grows during the five months I’m in Rome.
While I’m in Rome I will push myself to try speaking Italian when ordering from menus and becoming friends with Italian locals that will help teach me the language.
Now I’m not the best cook, but I’d like to think I am. My current cooking skills consists of cooking chili in a crock pot, grilling chicken, or cooking pasta with canned sauce so hopefully I’ll be able to learn an authentic and appetizing recipe that I can take home with me!
Maybe I’ll enroll myself in a cooking class or find a Italian local friend that is willing to teach me. Either way, let’s hope I don’t burn the place down!
My parents have always taught me to look at traveling as a learning experience and not as a luxury, so I think it’s important to add learning about history to my goals for studying abroad. Even though I’ve never been great in learning history, I’m hoping I can bring back some fun facts about the roots of Italian culture.
Rome’s a pretty big city and I want to learn about every corner of it. Whether it’s by bus or by foot will obviously depend the shoes I’m wearing that day, but I want to be able to learn the streets, the towns, and have a endless list of cool places to go too.
Now this is the one I’m probably most excited for. Some of my best friends are also studying abroad in Europe so weekend trips with my besties sounds like a blast! I’m not necessarily worried about deciding which destinations that need to make the list, but I do want to visit obscure, little towns that are full of life and culture.
And if I see a cheap flight, you bet I’m going to buy that ticket.
Studying abroad comes with a lot of challenges because you have the temptation to continuously travel without always taking your studies into consideration. Although all my credits will be pass or fail, I need to remind myself that doing well is one of my top goals for studying abroad.
Now if you know me then you know I love coffee shops, so it’s definitely a must that I find one in Rome. Whether it means I’m writing a blog post for you guys, doing homework, or just grabbing a cup of coffee I want to find a place with a welcoming vibe
Ugh my weakness! In a land of gelato whose isn’t tho!! During my week and a half in Rome during the summer I tried several different gelato shops and maybe had a little too much gelato. After this trip I’d like to think I tried all the gelato shops in the land of gelato!
So there you have it, that’s my list of goals for studying abroad in Rome and as the time comes closer I’ll continue to add and grow this list. But as for now…
See ya on the other side of the world!
Check out some of my favorite tools and companies I actually use when I travel.
Need a Bank Account for Life Abroad? Wise is the best option for travelers, study abroad students and expats. I use it as my everyday checking account since it lets me hold and spend in multiple currencies without getting hit with a bad exchange rate every time I cross a border.
Want to Travel for Free & Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees? I put my spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and let the points cover flights and hotels I'd otherwise be paying for out of pocket. I've been able to use the points I earn on this card to pay for flights, hotels and meals all around the world!
Please Don't Forget Travel Insurance! Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never go on a trip without it. My two favorites are:
Need a Flight? I personally love using Google Flights to track prices and compare dates before I commit, the flexible date view alone has saved me a lot of money. Skyscanner is another great search engine to find cheap flights because it searches sites and airlines around the globe, so you know no cheap deal is being left on the table.
Getting Around Southeast Asia? Book your buses, trains, and ferries with 12Go Asia. One search shows you every route and price, so you're not digging through ten different local booking sites.
Need a Place to Stay? Book your hotel with Expedia, where I start looking, especially when I want to bundle flights and stays together. Hotels.com is my backup when I want to compare prices or I'm chasing their rewards program for a free night.
On a Tighter Budget? Hostelworld is where I go for hostels. It has the largest inventory out there, and you can search for dorm beds or private rooms depending on what you're after!
Want a Free Way to Travel? Try TrustedHousesitters! You look after someone's home and pets while they're away, and in exchange you get free accommodation (minus the subscription fee). It's a great option if you're traveling long term and want to cut costs. I personally use this as a host and a sitter, and it's truly great!
Need Inspiration or Just Want to See What's Out There? Go Guides is a solid resource for destination guides, must-see landmarks, local markets, best beaches, and things to do, browsable by place or by theme. It's a good stop whether you already know where you're headed or you're still looking for your next destination.
Check out my full packing gear guide for everything I bring on international trips, or browse my favorite travel finds on Amazon for quick links to it all.
Check out my full resource page for every company I use when I travel. I list them all in one place so you can go from planning to booked without digging through old blog posts!
Hey there, I'm Angelique!
I'm a Filipina-American, Chicago native living abroad and running my online design agency from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over a decade of traveling in, and yes, I still pinch myself. With family split between the US, UK, and SE Asia, travel has always been part of my story. This blog is where I share the honest side of living and traveling abroad, the places I explore, my best study abroad tips from personal experience, and the little hacks that make this life actually work. Glad you're here, friend!
Studying abroad soon?
everything to sort before you go, in one printable page.
Grab the printable study abroad checklist covering the paperwork, money, and packing stuff that's easy to forget until you're already there wishing you'd sorted it!