Ready to make the most out of your time studying abroad? Of course, you are! You’re in the right place to find out how with this study abroad bucket list. You’re bound to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences as a student abroad where you’ll have opportunities for exploration you wouldn’t have anywhere else. Why let them pass you by? You’ll make memories that you’ll treasure for the rest of your life with the activities on this list!
Whether you’d like to tap into your adrenaline or try something more lowkey, lots of new adventures await you in your study abroad destination abroad. From zip lining over cloud forests in Costa Rica to savoring tiramisu gelato in Italy, the possibilities are endless to satiate your senses. So if the relentless question of “What to do while studying abroad?” has been on your mind, not to worry, we’ll give away the best answers right here!
14 Things to Do While Studying Abroad
Adventure awaits—grab a ticket, hop on, and let the journey begin!
If you’re looking for a study abroad bucket list challenge, you could go for it by checking off as many items from this list as possible! But really, it’s more about immersing yourself in the destination’s culture and enjoying the experiences along the way. Here are some of the best things to do while studying abroad:
1. Explore the area on public transportation
From riding a double-decker bus in London to cycling along canal paths in Copenhagen, there’s no better way to soak in the scenery of your “home away from home” than with public transportation! And you’ll also get your bearings and feel more connected to your location!
The Philippines flaunts jeepneys, Venice boasts gondolas, and India sports tuk tuks—your study abroad may even offer unique ways to get out and about! Next stops: meeting locals, snapping pics, and hitting up local landmarks!
2. Practice the local language
Seize any opportunity to practice the local language with native speakers! This is one of the best things to do while studying abroad. While classrooms and language apps teach you grammar, there’s no replacement for the real thing. With some study abroad programs, you could live with a host family and practice the language even more!
The best language learning takes two to tango. To start out, focus on practicing key phrases at the airport, on public transportation, and at restaurants. Then, level up to longer conversations with locals. An internet or social media search will help you find local language exchange groups so you can keep practicing (and make new friends!).
3. Chronicle your time studying abroad
Document the journey, because your future self will thank you.
You’re making history every day while you’re abroad! Whether writing in a journal or recording short videos is more your cup of tea, definitely document your experiences! Taking note of things, both big and small, will also help you feel more motivated to keep trying new things.
Better yet, your journal or clips will serve as a way to preserve your memories. You’ll be able to look back at them one day and see how much you’ve grown.
4. Join a university club or team
Most universities around the world offer a variety of ways for international students to get involved—arts, media, politics, sports—you name it. The benefits are bountiful: exploring new interests, connecting with the local culture, meeting people from around the world, and so much more.
Being part of a community will also help reduce stress and shoo away any feelings of homesickness. Not to mention the involvement will look good on your resume and help boost your career prospects!
5. Immerse yourself in art, history, and science
Take your studies outside of the classroom and embrace your destination’s cultural creations, discoveries, and heritage while you’re abroad!
Every country has a history and has likely influenced the world in one way or another. Go beyond the surface, get curious, and dig into the deeper aspects of the culture. Visit the art galleries, cultural centers, and museums a whirl. Go on a guided tour of the local landmarks and monuments. You’ll be surprised and amazed at what you learn along the way!
6. Make a difference by volunteering
One of the most rewarding activities to add to your study abroad bucket list? Volunteering! No matter where you go abroad, there’s a cause that could use a hand. You could help rescue stray animals, plant trees, or teach kids English! Or try something completely new.
As a volunteer, you’ll meet new people, discover new places, gain skills to flaunt on your resume, and best of all, you’ll feel good about it along the way!
7. Savor local delicacies
Tasting your way through a new country? Yes, please!
Taste-testing the fare and brew? Yasss! That's another top answer for what to do while studying abroad! Every country’s known for something—beer and schnitzel in Germany, sangria and paella in Spain, and sake and sushi in Japan, etc. Definitely try the famous foods & drinks!
The Internet will have many suggestions on where to go/what to sample but won’t have all the answers. Ask the locals for their recommendations! Or, take a chance and discover new favs randomly—from moseying into corner cafes to hitting up hole-in-the-wall eateries.
8. Take a trip to a nearby wonder
Road trip, anyone? Take a break from your studies with a weekend getaway! You’re already abroad, so why not explore what’s around you even more? Many campuses lie in tiny towns or city centers, but you’re likely just a hop, jump, and skip away from even more wonders.
Embark on a mini-adventure! Natural settings, such as zigzagging waterfalls, sun-kissed beaches, and skyscraping mountains are on the horizon. Or, perhaps mysterious monuments and ancient relics are just around the riverbend.
9. Unleash your inner chef in a cooking class
Drinking and eating are enjoyable activities, but going behind the scenes and crafting edible creations yourself? Nothing quite compares! Your inner Remy (from Ratatouille) will thank you!
A cooking class will help you gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes to grow certain ingredients, the chemistry involved in recipes, and the love that goes into delicious dishes. Cooking classes don’t have to mean just food either—you may be able to learn how to brew coffee, kombucha, beer, or other local beverages.
10. Celebrate with locals at a festivity
Parades, concerts, tournaments, oh my! No matter the time of year, your study abroad location likely celebrates holidays or annual traditions.
Brazil lives it up with Carnival, Germany gets merry with Oktoberfest, and Scotland holds the Highland Games. What are your destination’s festivals?
Even if a festivity isn’t nearby, it’s likely you’ll be able to watch a sports match or listen to local music down the street or around the corner. The joy comes from being with others!
11. Watch a sunrise or sunset from somewhere new
Sunsets, sunrises, and everything in between—nature’s magic on display.
From watching the sun’s daily debut at a lighthouse or its evening bow on a rooftop bar, watching cotton candy or sherbert colors paint the sky will make for a magical moment.
Most study abroad destinations offer one-of-a-kind places you won’t find anywhere else, such as fjords, mountains, canyons—where you could go for a morning hike and watch the sunrise. Or you could cruise along a coast, marvel at a sunset, and stargaze afterward! There are lots of settings to enjoy this natural global phenomenon.
12. Go bar or club-hopping and meet the locals
From singing ballads to sipping brewskies, unwind from your studies abroad by heading downtown and enjoying some nightlife! This is a great way to make new friends, immerse yourself in the social customs, practice a new language, and sample local specialties.
Plus, going from pub to pub offers opportunities to explore different neighborhoods, drink in various bar scenes, and dance your heart out to some new beats. And who knows? Karaoke may even be in the cards, too!
13. Shop ‘til you drop at a local market
There’s more to the fruits group than bananas, apples, and oranges—go outside the crate by popping by a farmers market. Have you ever tried guanabana, yuzu, or kumquats? Discover a cornucopia of new flavors with fresh produce at a farmers market.
Many markets display locally made merchandise. A new favorite pair of earrings, a cozy sweater, or a coin purse could be calling your name. If you’re ever in need of souvenirs, a flea market’s often an affordable way to get them while supporting the locals!
14. Learn more about local flora and fauna
Whether it’s glimpsing pink dolphins in the Amazon Rainforest, peering at glow worms in New Zealand, or marveling at giant lilies in Indonesia, a plethora of species will surprise and delight you anywhere you are in the world.
Even if you’re not into seeing them in their natural habitat, you could visit the local zoos, science centers, or nurseries to learn more about how these species adapt and thrive in these destinations.
Check out more things to add to your study abroad bucket list
Let your study abroad bucket list guide your study abroad experience!
Let the bucket list adventures begin—time to make those memories!
Now you have your study abroad bucket list, so what are you waiting for?! They say the present is a gift, and you can make the most of it with these activities. Get ready to make new besties, explore sights beyond your wildest dreams, and delight in delicious dishes. Plus, you’ll acquire new skills and discover new parts about yourself along the way. While you’ll gather knowledge from the classroom, you’ll make priceless memories from hands-on experiences!
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