Before you can start the memorable experience of studying away, you first have to pack. To reduce any existing stress and put to rest any questions, consider the advice of fellow NYU students to master the art of packing.

Quench Thirst

Buying water can quickly add up. CAS junior Nicole Lee, who studied away in Florence last spring, said bringing a water bottle with you in an easy trick to save money.

“I always tell people to bring a plastic water bottle, since water isn’t free in Europe,” Lee said. “Having a bottle around is seriously so helpful.”

Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’

To find that delicate balance of packing lightly yet enough to maximize every available nook and corner, start by changing the very method of packing clothes. Gallatin junior Daniel Yeom utilized a trick to achieve that exact harmony while packing for
Buenos Aires.

“I recommend rolling your T-shirts instead of folding them to make the most of the luggage space,” Yeom said.

Less is More

Because sightseeing and traveling to different areas are bound to occur while studying away, collecting souvenirs and gifts may be tempting or, for some, inevitable. That is why keeping a light suitcase is key. CAS junior Marta Elliot, who studied in Prague last spring, recommends packing lightly.

“My strategy was to pack light,” Elliot said. “I know that if I pack a huge suitcase, I’ll just end up wearing the easiest two outfits, so I packed things that would match easily — mostly black clothes — and could make different
outfits with.”

Better Safe Than Sorry

Living abroad for a span of weeks or months come with at least some element of the unknown. Be sure to pack essentials, including hygienic items and electronic devices. Stern junior Eddie Shim realized the importance of essentials a bit too late while studying
in Shanghai.

“I regret not taking an umbrella and an electrical outlet converter. It was raining when I arrived and I shorted out one of my chargers,” Shim said.

Steinhardt junior Jordan Williams reflected on her daily lifestyle and brought only what was needed to Paris.

“I thought about all the toiletries that I used in the last 24 hours and I packed all of that,” Williams said. “I thought about what sicknesses I had last semester and if I needed any type of medication.”

CAS sophomore Alexa Greene believes that even a coat can make a huge difference.

“I regret not bringing a winter coat because even though it doesn’t get that cold in Madrid, we do travel outside of the city to places where it does get really chilly,” Greene said. “You travel a lot when you’re abroad so you’re likely to end up in places with different climates than your city’s, so it’s good to prepare for that.”

Seasons Change

In the flurry and excitement of preparing to study abroad, it may slip the minds of many students that seasons exist. The change of temperature — especially in the spring semester that lasts from February to May — calls for two wardrobes. CAS junior Marta Elliot personally found this out during her Prague trip.

“I was told so many times that Prague was a freezing place that I ended up forgetting that I would see the spring too,” Elliot said. “I hadn’t packed any warm weather clothes.”

NYU’s Washington Square admissions site mentions the benefits that come with living in a city so full of different cultures and communities. Beyond New York, though, students also have the opportunity to study away at portal campuses spread across six continents.

These opportunities allows students to live in one of 13 different countries as they work toward their degrees. Such an opportunity is unparalleled. Given that the cost of living is almost always cheaper abroad than in New York and that exposure to foreign cultures has undeniable benefits, NYU should make spending a semester at an abroad site mandatory for all students who live
on campus.

Studying away has both professional and personal benefits. Students who have traveled are seen as more well-rounded, and speaking a second or third language can significantly boost career prospects — a feat more easily accomplished through immersion than in a classroom.Choosing to live in a different country also shows adaptability and a desire to
challenge oneself.

NYU’s international student population currently stands around 16 percent. These are the students who already have experience living in a foreign country, and almost all of them can attest to the benefits of living in a different country. NYU should take steps to imbue a higher percentage of their student body with this sort of world experience.

The university has gone to great lengths to assure that those who study away are supported throughout their experiences, guaranteeing housing and assistance in securing passports and visas. They should do more and provide housing scholarships for commuter students.

International travel can be expensive, and students are less likely to do it after graduating when they pursue careers or start families.
Given that students at NYU are already paying tuition, there are fewer logistic obstacles to spending the semester in a foreign country. Students in Global Liberal Studies or the combined Global Public Health program are already required to spend at least one semester abroad, so there is very little reason not to expand this requirement to other programs since all student degrees benefit from a
worldly perspective.

Mark Twain is thought to have written, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” Students who study abroad distinguish themselves as having received a more rounded education than those who choose to remain in one spot. Even international students who already technically study away stand to benefit from spending part of their formative years in foreign countries, particularly those with cultures different
from the United States.

Right when I arrived at the NYU Florence campus, I was given tips on how to not look or act like a tourist: Don’t go to any restaurants around the Duomo. Don’t order a cappuccino in the afternoon. Don’t tip your waiters. Don’t go to Venice during Carnevale.

But on Feb. 14, I went to Venice with a group of friends and became one of the thousands of tourists in the street during the last weekend of Carnevale, a Christian festival before the start of Lent.

Everyone warned us against it. NYU even offered cheap trips to a different Carnevale festival in Viareggio. An email from the NYU Florence Office of Student Life read: “Unlike the somewhat touristy Venice Carnevale with hordes of cruise-ship visitors, the Carnevale di Viareggio is a super fun cultural event attended every year by thousands of Italians.”

Until this semester I had never been to Italy, nor most countries in Europe, but now I have the chance to see all the attractions. Sure, Venice was packed that day, but it was beautiful to experience the festival and the excitement of a crowd.

Being a tourist is thrilling. There is something amazing about seeing beautiful architecture, art and sights that you have never seen before. I look up at the Duomo every time I walk by it, and every day the soft pink and rich green accents on the exterior reveal something new. I am not sure how people who live in Florence ever get used to such a magnificent structure.

At the same time, there has to be a balance between seeing tourist attractions and knowing your surroundings. There is merit in the advice to not look like a tourist. After all, we are students living in a city for four months — we should try to live like locals.

NYU Florence students have the opportunity to visit some of the top tourist attractions, including Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast and the Colosseum. It is important that we see and learn from these places as students and tourists. By studying abroad, I can experience the culture of Italy first-hand. But I can also go sightseeing and take that classic picture with the Leaning Tower of Pisa — even after seeing pictures of the field of tourists looking ridiculous with their hands in the air.