For this blog, instead of focusing on all my time in Seville, I wanted to talk about everywhere else. Studying abroad is a great time to get to know not only your home city, but the world around it. In Europe, taking advantage of Ryanair flights and holiday breaks can be a big part of the study abroad experience.  

For me, this was all new. I’d never been a big traveler before and hadn’t seen much more than the East Coast states of the U.S. But on my trips, solo and with friends, I’ve picked up a few strategies to stay sane between jetlag and hostels.  

Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples that took forever to get to but was totally worth it. 

A DIY pasta dinner we made, saving costs and having a fun time! 

No Expectations 

First and foremost, having “no expectations” isn’t the same as “low expectations.” I like to go into every new place thinking I’ll have a good time, but I’ll never know what that looks like until I’m there.  

No matter how many pictures you’ve seen or travel vlogs you’ve watched, you’ll never know what a city will feel like for you. Something like the weather, the type of crowds in the street, or the little delays in your travel time can have a big impact on your mood, especially if you’re expecting everything to go your way. 

Some of the Roman artefacts from Cádiz, a city super rich in history. 

Over spring break, I took a 10-hour bus ride from Venice to Naples. That was my stay for the night. If I went into that thinking I’d get to sleep well or that I wouldn’t have to be right in front of the bathroom door or listen to strangers snoring, I’d be sorely disappointed. 

I’ve gotten used to reminding myself: I’m lucky to be here. 

Now I’ve become obsessed with the element of surprise in travel. I’ve had to be even more “type-B” than I usually am. When I stopped over in Rome for a day, I didn’t do any research. I just explored what I could. Since seeing new places is all about facing the unknown, why not embrace it? 

Switch It Up 

I've talked a lot about my strategy in Seville saying “yes” to everything, especially anything new. I’ve kept a similar strategy in other cities. I make it a rule for myself not to repeat anything. It pushes me to think of new experiences in each city. In Ischia, I agreed to go on a horseback ride through the forest, which I never would’ve imagined I’d do! 

My view while riding horseback in Italy, which was something new for me. 

It’s easy to get bored of an itinerary if you don’t get creative with it. While the pizza restaurants in Italy were all impressive, I think the meal I remember most fondly was the homemade pasta me and my friends decided to cook in our Airbnb.  

Also, leaving gaps in your schedule and staying flexible gives you time to find something unexpected. You can get a lot out of a spontaneous walk downtown, where anything could grab your attention. 

When I went to Cádiz, a beach town just south of Seville, I didn’t realize their archaeology museum would be so interesting. I ended up spending a lot more time there than I expected. It was probably one of my favorite museums I’ve seen.  

Treating myself to some Indian food even while in Madrid, something that always makes me feel good. 

Treat Yourself 

Of course, traveling is a big financial commitment. It’s hard to find the right balance between being smart with your money and indulging in nicer things. But treating yourself doesn’t have to mean getting the most expensive souvenirs and staying in five-star resorts. What’s more important is making a memory that’s special to you. 

Treat yourself to something that makes you happy. I saved my train tickets in Madrid for scrapbooking. In Barcelona, I got myself a $3 pair of earrings. I’ve gone through a pack of blank postcards and painted pictures of my favorite places to send back home.  

I’ve even treated myself to sleeping in, or getting some nice pictures of myself on my camera. Sometimes it’s necessary to treat yourself to familiarity, like eating your favorite comfort food in order to feel at home. Not everything has to be about spending money. 

At the end of the day, I didn’t care if I had to share a bed or if the shower didn’t have hot water where I stayed. I left with little pieces of these cities that will remind me of how it felt to be there and all the new things I tried.