As you’ll soon find out, moving to a new city can be overwhelming. This is especially true for European cities, which are chock-full of culture, activities, and experiences. Luckily, we’ve been in your position before, so we know exactly how to manage the overwhelm. Spend your first two weeks in your new home doing the following, and you’ll feel prepared and excited for an incredible semester.
Explore your neighborhood
The neighborhoods in each European city are often widely diverse and can have different atmospheres, nightlife scenes, and cultures. Once you arrive, spend some time wandering around your neighborhood with your new roommates or friends, finding cute cafes, fun bars, or other hidden spots. Whichever neighborhood you’re staying in, you’re sure to fall in love with it by the time you leave.
Make some new friends
Whether you’ve come over to Europe with a group of your closest pals or you took the journey solo, you’ll find tons of opportunities to break out of your shell and get to know your fellow abroad students. In Barcelona, for instance, our welcome boat party is a great way to spend the evening dancing under the setting sun, bottomless sangria in hand, surrounded by future friends. Check it out here, and stay tuned for upcoming welcome events wherever you’re studying!
Find your favorite supermarket
There are tons of supermarkets in each city, with a variety of products and price-ranges. In your first few weeks it can be helpful to try out as many as possible and see which are cheaper and have the products you want. This will help you discover which one fits your diet and budget.
Discover your go-to study cafe
Europe is well-known for its exciting cafe culture, so no matter which city you’re in, you’re sure to have tons of options. Explore a few to find which one has the best coffee, strongest wifi, and coziest decor.
Get on a guest list
European cities are famous for their nightlife, and rightfully so. There is nothing quite as thrilling as a Saturday night in Berlin, Barcelona or Budapest. No matter where you are, you can save major $$ by getting on a guest list for the major bars and clubs in the city. This is easier as it sounds – many promoters have active facebook and instagram accounts and aren’t too difficult to find if you do a bit of digging.
Find a good brunch spot
While brunch is a decidedly American concept, its popularity has spread overseas and now, every major European city has its beloved brunch spots. After that first weekend you’re gonna need a go-to spot you can rely on for delicious, healthy(ish) food to soothe your Sunday hangover.
Learn a little of the language
You’ll find that you can probably get by on English in many European cities, but speaking a bit of the language can help you feel and look more comfortable. Locals really appreciate it, too, so you might get better service simply by trying. Language exchanges are really popular in Europe, as they allow international students from all different countries to practice in a fun, judgement-free space. The best part is that most take place at some of the most charming bars in the city.
There are so many things you’ll want to do once you touch down in your new city, but no need to feel overwhelmed. You have an entire semester here, so you’ve got plenty of time to see and do everything on your bucket list. Spend your first two weeks checking off the basics and you’ll be calling Europe your second home in no time. And for the rest of the semester, how about an Amsterdam adventure? Or a Croatian fantasy? Check out our weekend trips to bring your European travel dreams to life.
