How to Make the Most of Your Free Days Abroad: A Short-Term Study Guide
Studying abroad, even for a short term, offers a unique opportunity to experience new cultures, sights, and people. If you’re like me and you want to make the most of every moment, the key is to maximize your free days. Here are some tips based on my own experience studying Marketing and Sales in Dublin and London that will help you make the most of your limited time abroad.
Start Early, End Late
The mantra of my study abroad group was, “Sleep when you’re dead,” which pretty much sums up our approach to making the most of our free days. We had packed schedules, with site visits starting as early as 8 AM, but that didn’t stop us from squeezing in extra activities before and after. Whether it was grabbing a local coffee, taking an early morning walk through the city, or finding a cool museum, we made sure to explore as much as we could. If your mental health and sleep schedule allow, embrace the opportunity to start your day early and end it late. Discovering the city with your fellow students or grabbing a late dinner at a local mom-and-pop restaurant can help create memories that last a lifetime. Some of my favorite experiences weren’t the major tourist attractions but the small, authentic moments we found in the quieter hours of the day.
Plan Ahead for Events
One of the biggest takeaways from my study abroad experience was the importance of researching events happening in the city. When we arrived in London, we discovered that Coldplay was performing that weekend. Exciting, right? The only problem—tickets were sold out by the time we started looking. Don’t make the same mistake!
Before you arrive, use platforms like Ticketmaster, TikTok, or even Reddit to find local concerts, festivals, or unique experiences. You’d be surprised how much is happening beyond what a simple Google search will reveal. By planning ahead, you can snag tickets to events and make your free days even more memorable.
Budget Wisely
Budgeting can make or break your free days. Before I left, I thought I had my finances all worked out, but during my first week in Dublin, my group and I found ourselves splurging on gourmet breakfasts, fancy lunches, and trendy oyster bars for dinner. Before we knew it, we’d spent far more than we intended—and it was only week one! By the time we reached London for the second half of our trip, we wised up. There was a Sainsbury’s grocery store a short walk from our hotel, so we stocked up on granola bars for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. By cutting back on food expenses, we were able to use our free day to visit Brighton Palace Pier (about two hours outside of London) and enjoy a beach picnic. It was one of the most enjoyable days of the trip, and we never would have been able to do it if we hadn’t reined in our spending.
Public transportation is another area where you can save. We learned that taking a ferry instead of a flight between cities was not only cheaper but also offered the chance to meet locals and learn more about the area. Small budget tweaks like these can open up new possibilities for adventure and give you more freedom to explore.
Final Thoughts
Your short-term study abroad trip will fly by, but by making the most of your free days, you’ll create lasting memories. Start your day early, plan ahead for unique events, and be mindful of your budget. These strategies helped me explore more of Dublin, London, and beyond, and I hope they’ll do the same for you. Whether you’re in class or out exploring, take advantage of every moment—it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
