This is it. My last blog post, my last week in Barcelona, and my last time in Europe for a while. These past four months have flown by and I really can't believe it's all coming to an end. In these last fifteen weeks I've traveled to Ibiza, Amalfi Coast, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Madrid, London, Prague and Lisbon, lived in a huge metropolitan city for the first time, and conquered a metro system. Before coming abroad, I had no idea what to expect and what these months would have in store for me. Here are a few of my recommendations on things to keep in mind before coming overseas!
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| Park Güell |
You can find almost anything that you'd find at home
Before I came to Barcelona, I was under the impression that I had to pack bottles and bottles of my shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other toiletries because I wouldn't be able to find anything like the ones I normally use. But after walking into the massive Corte Ingles that sits in the city center, I realized that they had all the same necessities that I used from back home. So don't waste precious luggage space when packing with those heavy bottles. Similarly, you can find pretty much the same foods that you buy in America in the basement of the big Corte Ingles or any grocery store.
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| Ibiza, Spain |
Have a great carry on bag
Since you'll most likely be traveling almost every weekend, it's important to have a sturdy and reliable piece of carry on luggage that'll fit a few days worth of clothes. Before making the purchase, look at the regulations of Ryan Air, Lufthansa and Vueling airlines because they have some strict rules on how big the bag can be. For me, I was able to cram my weekend's worth of clothes into North Face backpack and tote bag which made the flying process quick and easy.
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| Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Plan your trips as soon as possible
If you have any destinations that you know you want to visit, start booking right away! The earlier, the better is the case in Europe, and you'll find that flights will be cheaper and you'll have more options in terms of hotels, hostels or Airbnbs. Last minute spontaneity can be fun, but I'd recommend saving that for places you can take a train to that are nearby.
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| County Clare, Ireland |
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| London, England |
Jennifer S. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO in Barcelona, Spain. She is currently a sophmore studying Professional Writing at Miami University.
