Um, I just really wanted to make a video on traveling.

I don't know.

It's evident enough since you know, it's it's totally not everywhere on my instagram.

Um, but I recently did a study abroad trip to Rome, Italy, and I gathered some advice first, sitting abroad for the first time on your own that I wish I knew.

And I would like to share with everyone else.

So we fell further ado, let's get on to be in.

So okay, so usually when you're studying abroad or traveling, it's obviously in the summer, most likely in the summer, unless you do like a full semester studying abroad program.

But this goes for like either studying abroad or, like, just travel like in general.

I think boat like this advice is is really, really, like, important for both.

Um, so the first thing, the number one thing that I feel is really, really important on and should be emphasizes bringing a water bottle.

I did do this, but I it was it was difficult a bit like when you're not in Rome, because Rome has, like, a lot of, um, fountains that are around and just like like running on what, Like waters Just streaming out of it all the time?

Um, and you can just get, you know, just go up and, you know, fill your water bottle and go on with your day.

But there are places in Italy that don't, like have found, you know, you gotta go to the store, and then they have, like, a bunch of different sizes of water bottles because, actually, a lot of people don't drink from the mountains there, and they prefer water bottle.

So definitely bring your own reusable water bottle.

Another thing.

Sunscreen.

Sunscreen is so important.

I know there's, like, a lot of, uh, controversy about, like, sunscreen being like, Is it actually damaging for the skin?

What?

Not just look for sunscreen, but it doesn't have harsh chemicals.

Of course.

Um, and I would say century that is, like, organic or made with natural ingredients.

Um, I mean, I would I would say Okay, so any here up sunscreen is more expensive than it is here.

Um, So I would recommend just getting a sunscreen before you leave.

Course.

Putting it.

Um, if it's not 100 milliliters putting it in your bag.

So that's another thing bringing a mini backpack.

OK, so that might sound a little like What?

Why?

So, yes, I went to school there.

Yes, I brought my backpack that I used for college, but it was actually more helpful to have a smaller bag to take along, like during many trips and stuff.

Um, I know it's like a little too much, and it's like, Well, like what if I don't want to pack two backpacks and have to pack pack backpacks that are like two different sizes?

Well, I feel like it's really important if you don't want people to, like steel yourself.

And I'm not saying like you and your open your stuff is stolen like that.

But it does happen.

So I feel like if you have, like a smaller backpack that fits every single little thing you need, um, it's easier that, like, take care of, you know, like better be more aware of instead of having like a big backpack, you know, because you go to college and you you have the normal size back back.

You don't have, like one of those little I forget what they're called What island?

Your picture Right here.

But yeah, that that's what I mean.

Yeah, the one thing that I did not do, but it was because this was just like, Oh, my God, I'm going to do with a study abroad, you know, program, you know, just made that decision out of blue.

Um, I feel like you should really try to learn the language before you go, so you don't look like an idiot.

Also, Italians like it when you try.

They like when you you know, you you come up to them and you try your best to speak Italian.

And don't just automatically be like, Hey, what's up?

Can I have this?

They literally Well, it's just like a whole mood swing.

Like they'd be like, Oh, he's an American.

But, um, yeah, definitely.

Give yourself a crash course, like learned some Italian words, learning the basics, and you'll be also don't always make sure you have euros on you or wherever you go traveling.

Make sure you have that currency, even cash form.

Make sure you have it at all times because you never know when you're getting that.

You never know what places do and do not accept card, so that's very important.

Another thing I learned on my study abroad trip was that maps and guidebooks are way more efficient than using your phone.

Um, there are many reasons to this.

Sometimes Google maps is not no, greatest.

It it will sometimes like, I don't know that little dot be like, so off and like you get lost and they'd be like a waste of time.

So I feel like just like going and getting like a little guidebook or like a little map is really, really helpful, especially if there's, like, you know, bad service or something you don't need to worry about, like getting lost or anything, because you'll have, like the map for the guide book with you.

One thing I did not do was pack shoes that could go through anything.

I don't know why they did not register in my head before packing, but I packed shoes that were so uncomfortable there were these, like thes sneakers.

I just got from somewhere with The shoes were just like, so thin you can feel everything like if I were walking on the cobblestone roads and in the rain Let's let's just let's just not talk about that.

We just bring shoes that can go through anything.

I'm saying anything because you don't know how the weather switches up and you don't know what you'd be going through and how you be getting places.

You know, it's better to be prepared.

So in Italy, transportation system is kind of unorganized.

And when I say kind of it pretty organized, there are times more like transportation.

Systems were just so crowded, so packed like there was just one train.

I think it was like which the local Naples train it was.

It was just really, really, really crowded, like, very dangerous.

Like, I'm pretty sure it was like 10 times over the capacity that it could handle, which is verily scary to think about.

People need to get places.

I guess they don't.

They don't really.

I feel like they don't really care about safety, which is really scary.

But I guess they think like a long as you you're on there, you get their fine, which is not.

It's not ideal when there are many, many, many, many people in one little cart, you know, like on a train and there's like little kids and they're being pushed, and it's just really, like overwhelming.

So be prepared for that.

This again does not always happen.

And I mean, it isn't rare, but it's not always going to be happening, So it's good to be prepared.

You know, if anyone knows about Ben Mill or PayPal is another alternative.

But Ben Mo is your best friend.

In case you do not have cash and you're with a group of people and someone has cash and you need thio, you know, split a check or you owe them something or you need something and you don't have the cash for it.

Um, it's really good for sending money to people.

It's quick.

It's easy.

All you need is toe put in the person's user name, then just like send them whatever you need to send them, and that's it.

Also, this video is not sponsored by them.

L just really like the up.

And lastly, make sure to know the vocabulary words that really two like toiletries and, like things you find at the grocery store, always make sure going back to the crash course.

Um, advice.

Always make sure you have those words that you need, Like the shampoo conditioner, toothpaste, detergent.

Like just finding what?

What means?

What?

Like, you know, just the vocab words for that.

Just so you don't buy something that you don't actually need or, you know, you get the right stuff and you're not and shambles.

So, yes, that is my advice, Um, for Ellie and I guess any other kind of travel.

So also, another thing, Um, there are a lot a lot of men who will stare at you in Italy.

Staring is normal in Europe, apparently, Um, I do know that it's normal in the Middle East, so I guess it kind of makes sense.

But just be prepared to have all eyes on you.

It's really uncomfortable, but what you going to do?

All right.

See you next time.

Bye.