Important things to bring:
Clothes/Assessories
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Jacket or coat (it can be cold in the winter months!)
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Umbrella
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Pair of stylish boots
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Pair of walking sneakers (you will be walking a TON!)
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Pair of tights for going out outfits
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One suitcase with clothes (you will want to buy a lot there)
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Travel backpack
Toiletries/first aid
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Hair care products you like (some products are not sold in Europe)
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Wrinkle release spray
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Face products you can't live without
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American pain relievers or other over the counter medicines you use normally (just check that you are allowed to bring them into the country you're going to)
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Also be sure to get all your prescriptions you use for the period of time you will be gone!
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Travel toiletry and jewelry bag
Other
1. Portable charger
2. Adapter
3. Headphones
Most Importantly: Don't Overpack
Things I am Glad I Did
Explored on my own
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Don't hold back from experiencing where you are because other people are busy or don’t want to go
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Go on walks in your city, to the grocery store, or to a local cafe!
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This is a once in a lifetime experience! Make it count
Kept my memories in one space
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You will want to look back on this time in your life forever so it is important to keep pictures or a journal of some kind
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I made a scrapbook full of pictures, tickets, napkins and other souvenirs
Shared location with friends
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This one is extremely important for your safety, because you are in a new place and anything could happen
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Always use the buddy system when you go out at night!
All the Places I Travelled
Amsterdam
Amsterdam was the first country I visited while abroad. It was so fun, but also so cold because it was February, so dress warm if you go! I also discovered my newfound love for Stroopwafels.
Cannes, France
I fell in love with the South of France. It was such a beautiful place, and we were on the coast which made it so magical. We ate so many charcuterie boards, seafood, and pastries.
Monaco
We took a short trainride while in Southern France to Monaco. It is the second smallest country in the world. We went to Casino de Monte-Carlo, and ate lunch overlooking the ocean.
Rome
I want to go back to Rome so badly. I could have easily spend another week there, because it is so rich in history. I felt like I was walking around on the set of a movie my whole time there.
Athens
So much history here! An easily walkable city, and smaller than I expected but I loved it. My favorite part was having dinner at Hill Athens Rooftop, facing the lit up Acropolis.
Santorini
I think that this was my favorite city I went to during my time abroad. I got to live out my Mamma Mia dreams, spending the day on a catamaran and walking along the cliffs. I even got to watch Mamma Mia at sunset next to the ocean.
Venice
We were only in Venice for one day, and unfortunately I was really sick, so I did not get to fully enjoy it. But I still walked around to see the shops and gondolas.
Canary Islands
I went to both Tenerife and Gran Canaria. I got to swim in the ocean, sit on the black sand beaches and enjoy some really good food. The weather was amazing and I even got to tan!
Porto, Portugal
I loved Porto! Two of my friends and I went for my birthday and had the best time walking around, shopping, taking in all the ceramics and art! We even stumbled upon a craft fair where I bought some hand made jewelry.
Lisbon, Portugal
The program I was a part of took us on a bus trip to Lisbon, which took about six hours. I loved walking around this city! The weather was not the best but we still made sure we saw all the historic buildings and monuments.
Madrid, Spain
Two of my friends and I went to Madrid to see Tate McRae in concert! We also went to the Prado Museum which was incredible. I got to see a lot of art pieces that I had learned about in my Art class.
Barcelona, Spain
We went to Barcelona during the same time we visited Madrid. We saw the Sagrada Familia, and a lot of other buildings by Gaudí. We even saw Jason Derulo randomly perform at a club we went to!