By Amiya Daye
The advice in this article is specific to living in Budapest, Hungary, as a first time international traveler, but includes quotes and pieces of advice from study abroad professor and McDaniel College’s Communication and Cinema Department Associate Chair Dr. Erin Watley along with fellow first time study abroad student and Communication major Isabelle Diffendal along with frequent international traveler and Spanish, Kinesiology, and Psych major Hope Safia.
1. Don’t pack like you’re (only) going on vacation
There will be plenty of places to travel and buy new clothes if that’s what you like to do. However, you will be living here so bring clothes you wear every day like lounge wear or pajamas, a jacket and coat; pack for cold and warm days, regardless of what time of year you plan to stay.
“It’s important to bring things that are really unique to your comfort,” explains Dr. Watley. For instance, for myself as a woman of color, there are certain things I must take into consideration when traveling, even within my own country, let alone another one. These things include certain hair and body products that may not be widely available like leave-in conditioners for my hair and cocoa butter for my skin, and more just based on my preferences.
The same can be said for all kinds of experiences, so if you prefer certain textures for sleeping, specific brands of snacks, spices, or sauces that you know you will miss, or anything (within reason) that brings you comfort, bring it with you. Also, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a website where you can check which items can and cannot be brought on planes.
2. Travel in a group if you can
Unless you are a frequent international solo traveler or just enjoy solo travel, going to a new country alone can be overwhelming so choose a travel buddy from your program if you can; book flights together and stay connected throughout the trip. Once you arrive, it is safe to travel alone (with caution of course) but traveling in a group can lead to more interesting experiences and provide more assurance and safety.
“If you are traveling alone, stay in crowded areas and remember, it’s okay to walk away from uncomfortable situations,” recommends Isabelle. “Be aware of scam ATMs. Do not use the ones outside of discount shops, only those attached to banks or those recommended by trusted individuals.”
“Though it may be obvious to say, be conscious of your surroundings as well,” Isabelle adds, “Cars will not stop for you even when pulling out of car garages. There are bike lanes on sidewalks and bikers who make sidewalks their road, look out for them too.”
“Also,” Isabelle says, “Do not go to places with only an English menu out front. Or places with names that are not unique. For example, a pizzeria that only has the name ‘Pizzeria’ and not its own unique brand is a tourist trap.”
3. Remember, you are still in school:
Though it may be encouraged to not bring much school supplies, if you are like I am, bring paper and pencils with you. Yes, it may be more convenient to only use electronic devices but if you know you work better with physical materials, then don’t be afraid to make room for them. Some classes may even require it.
When it comes to school advice, Dr. Watley encouraged students to go further into their educational exploration. “If you have some McDaniel plan credits to fulfill or have room for an extra course, take a class that intrigues you but has nothing to do with your major. Everything is a part of the experience.”
Here at the Budapest campus, you can jump into a badminton class, take the Music from the Margins course where you listen, dissect, and learn about music from marginalized communities, and much more.
4. Watch your money
“Be mindful about your spending,”says Dr. Watley. “There is a cultural element to spending money and spending lots of it can draw unwanted attention to you.” I would also add that budgeting is important for any trip but when living specifically in Budapest as an international student from America, it can be easy to overspend once you realize how inexpensive things are in comparison to back home.
I recommend making two lists of what you expect to spend monthly, then weekly. With all your numbers laid out, you can spend without stress. Make sure to consider monthly subscriptions, recurring payments, and bank fees. Most American banks have a 2-3% international fee every time you use your card, so using cash has been best for me. You can request Hungarian money from your bank at home before you leave or use the local and trusted ATM which is just a block over from the McDaniel Budapest school building. These transactions also come with a fee.
If you don’t like to cook, consider having a bigger “spending” or “going out budget” than a weekly/monthly grocery budget. Also, cheaper doesn’t always mean better when budgeting, sometimes it’s nice to spend a little more on necessary products like cleaning supplies for example.
5. Create some Lore! And explore!
Hope likes to go by a saying while living and studying abroad here in Budapest: Y.O.L.I.B.O. “The YOLIBO (You Only Live in Budapest Once) concept came about during my last semester spent in Madrid, Spain,” Hope explains. “During study abroad, you must take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you because you only have this chance once. So, say yes to everything, enjoy every moment, and take it all in.”
Personally, I couldn’t agree more. Do all the things you may have been putting off or haven’t had the opportunity to do for assorted reasons. Visit those quaint coffee shops and try new and exotic foods. Take the inexpensive and easy to use public transportation to visit different cities (or even countries) and explore different sites. Book concert tickets, go to museums, and more. Also just enjoy a trip to the park or the market and take it easy. It’s fun to do these things on your own, but it can be just as fun to do it with the new friends or travel companions you’ve made along the way.
“Different people will give you different opportunities to do different things so embrace the newness of it if you are there, just be present,” Dr. Watley says, “Don’t compare the version of fun you will experience here to the one that you are used to, it won’t look the same. And, at the very least, you can say you did it.”
Photos by Amiya Daye
