One of the best things about choosing to study abroad in Europe is that you’re only a few hours away from the next country!
The most transformative thing about my experience so far is getting to witness people in cultures different from the ones I’ve grown up with; cultural immersion is always fascinating to me and I’m always excited for the new experiences. I think my experiences so far, especially in traveling to new places, have made me a more open-minded and responsible individual. I advise other students traveling abroad, or any individual traveling, to be self-aware and open-minded about what is considered “normal” and act respectfully to people in their home countries. Practicing to unravel some possible ethnocentrism is a great step to fully embracing a culture or country very different from your own. Here are some countries I’ve visited while I’ve been abroad, my experiences, and some tips I’ve picked up along the way!
Scotland
In Scotland, I stayed in Edinburgh and the city had more than enough to offer for a weekend visit. You can walk through the 'Royal Mile’ where you’ll find amazing shops, pastries, coffee, and other local areas to hang out! If you continue up the Royal Mile, you’ll reach the Edinburgh Castle which is great for a nice city view, pictures, and exploring Scottish history.
If you want more of Scotland and don’t mind a bit of crisp weather, I highly recommend a day tour that takes you to the highlands. I took a day tour with ‘Highland Experience Tours’ and they do an amazing job at telling old stories of Scotland whilst showing you impeccable views used for famous films and shows like ‘Braveheart’, ‘Harry Potter', and ‘Outlander’. A memorable experience and a day very well spent!
Portugal
Studying in London has made me a bit too used to its frigid February weather, so traveling to Lisbon Portugal was the breath of fresh (warm) air that I didn’t even know I needed! Lisbon has a lot of hills (if you don’t mind a bit of a leg workout) the higher up you go, the prettier the view. You can go up the ‘Arco de Rua Augusta’ for a very affordable price where you get a great view of the city, shopping squares and the water. You should also go on a boat tour via Lisboat where they take you to see some of Lisbon’s best attractions like ‘Balem Tower’ and ‘Padrao do Descobrimentos’. A little fun fact; if you like seafood, Portgual is well known for its codfish and you’ll find it on almost every single menu. There’s no shortage of things to do in Lisbon and the weather and beautiful architecture will ensure you have the best time on your visit!
Ireland
Ireland in early spring is filled with refreshing rainy weather and hands down the best beef stew ever! On my weekend trip to Dublin, I spent the first day hanging out in Grafton street where you’ll find an abundance of amazing shops and places to eat. You can also just start walking from Grafton street in any direction and find other fun corners of Dublin to enjoy. On day two, I took a day trip to see the Cliffs of Moher, the Baby Cliffs and learned some very interesting Irish history from our guide. From its picturesque greenery to its enthusiastic nationalism, Ireland does not disappoint in being a great place to check out on your travels!
Italy
The first thing to know about Italy for travels during COVID, bring an ffp2 mask (they are pretty strict on that)! I traveled to Rome, Italy, and I have to say, of the places I’ve been to so far, Roman history has been the most fascinating to learn about. On day one in Rome, we started the day at a local coffee shop, and I have to say, the pistachio croissants are unmatched!! We then went to the Vatican where we saw some of the most beautiful artwork I’ve ever seen; each room was filled with fascinating architecture witnessed by some of the most famous historical actors in Roman history. If you go to Rome, I would highly recommend just going for a long walk as it’s highly possible you will find somewhere amazing, like the Trevi Fountain to hang out and roads filled with amazing Italian eats! Day two was eventful as we went to St. Peter’s Basilica which is an amazing work of art in itself and a very peaceful experience. I would recommend you go all the way up to the Dome for an amazing view of the city. Of course, you can’t (or at least you shouldn’t) go to Rome and not visit the Colosseum and the Forum; a stunning attraction well worth the hype! If you start early, you could even spend the entire day there, start with the Colosseum (it’s a bit busier) and then go down to the Roman Forum where you can see the ruins of the Roman empire that are still held in this historical site. This trip taught me so much and showed me even more and it's hands down one of my favorite visits! Also, a last little fun fact; Giolittis in Rome has the best gelato in the world!
Sauda Abdullahi, a public health major from Des Moines, Iowa, is studying this spring with IES in London and Jamaica.
Posts by student correspondents may not reflect the opinions and recommendations of UI Study Abroad and International Programs. These communications are intended to give students a forum for free expression of thoughts and experiences abroad in a respectful space.