A Zeta's Guide To Studying Abroad in Europe

Our Sister, Madi Poteet, studied abroad this past Fall semester in Europe & now she is back to tell us all about it! Check it out to see her insight!

Top 5 Favorite Places:

1. Amsterdam

a. I’ve been to Amsterdam more than a handful of times and still have yet to see everything. Besides the gorgeous canals and rows of brick houses, Amsterdam is full of museums (the Moco is my favorite), boutiques, and beer gardens. It gets cold quickly, so I recommend trying to plan your trip April-November.

2. London

a. London is a city that has something for everyone. From bar hopping in the trendy Shoreditch area, to picnics in Kensington Garden, to shopping in Camden Market and Piccadilly Circus, you’ll never run out of things to do. If you happen to be in London in the warmer season, I suggest grabbing dinner or drinks at one of the many food markets in the

Waterloo area to enjoy along the River Thames.

3. Barcelona

a. There’s a ton to see in Barcelona—the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, the Gothic quarter, and all of Gaudi’s architecture hidden throughout the city. For the best view of the Sagrada Familia (and the best Instagram pictures), head to the rooftop of the Ayre hotel to watch the sun set behind the church with a glass of sangria.

4. Paris

a. Paris is beautiful any time of year! Besides the typical tourist attractions, I recommend spending an afternoon wandering around the side streets and getting a taste of true Parisian culture.

5. Berlin

a. The mayor of Berlin once famously described the city as “poor, but sexy.” Berlin is an eclectic mix of rich history and modernity. The Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and the Bundestag should all be on your list of thing to see, and no trip to Berlin is complete without dinner at the original Hofbräu Wirtshaus for a traditional German beer.

Top 5 Travel Tips:

1. Never buy tickets full price—always check discount airlines like Ryanair before booking a flight. My personal favorite way to find cheap flights is to use Student Universe, which has tons of discounted tickets and lets you compare with other websites. Another popular option to get around Europe is Flixbus, and tickets usually are less than $20 if you’re willing to sit on a coach bus for a couple hours. Also, if you’re traveling with a group, you can usually buy group train passes online for cheaper!

2. HOSTELS. A lot of people are skeptical about these but they’re my favorite place to stay. Hostels are a great way to meet other young people and they allow you to stay in the city center for a fraction of the price of a hotel or Airbnb.

3. Utilize public transportation! It can be tempting to call an Uber when you’re in a new city, but most European countries have great public transportation systems that are easy to use and offer cheap weekend passes. Google maps lays out exactly what stops to get on and off at, right down to the platform.

4. Start your weekend trips with a walking tour. This is my favorite way to get to know a new city and figure out where I want to spend more time during my trip. Most cities (and

hostels) offer free walking tours a couple times a day. (Ask your guide where their favorite restaurants and bars are to go where the locals do!)

5. Make sure to spend time in your host city. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of traveling, but don’t forget to save a weekend or two getting to know your town. For me, the best part of being abroad was getting to be a local at the cafes and local bars in town. Your city is your home for an entire semester, so don’t forget to explore it!

Above all, my best tip is that if you have the opportunity to study abroad,

. It can be scary to pack up and move across the world, but it’s the most gratifying experience you will ever get. My experience abroad made me learn a lot about myself and I made memories that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life!