Studying abroad is a popular way for students to combine education and travel. What better travel adventure is there than immersing yourself as a student in a destination that captures your imagination? There are many popular study abroad destinations that each offer something different in terms of culture, pace and education. And the best part is, once you find yourself in a particular destination, you’re also within easy reach of other travel opportunities, even if you’re travelling on a student budget. This guide will help you take advantage of studying abroad, with advice on where to travel for a fun break from your study city.
Studying in: London, England
Get away to: Amsterdam, Netherlands
London is one of the most popular spots to study abroad for a number of reasons. There are 43 universities located within the city’s limits, so finding a place to study and a program that suits your needs shouldn’t be too hard. Not to mention, London is filled with more than enough things to see and do (from museums to massive parks to galleries) to keep you plenty busy outside of class time. However, the time will come when you need a change of scenery, and, fortunately, the city of Amsterdam is just a quick one-hour flight away.
Why go? Amsterdam is small enough to explore over a weekend, and the relaxed pace could be just what you need after spending time in busy London. Wander the canals or, better yet, hop on a bike and explore some of Amsterdam’s eclectic neighbourhoods, like the narrow streets of Jordaan or the art-filled Museumplein, where you’ll find the Van Gogh Museum.
Studying in: Edinburgh, Scotland
Get away to: Brussels, Belgium
Edinburgh might not come close to London in terms of size, but there are still many top-rated universities in the Scottish capital, making it a good option for studying abroad. The easily walkable city is rich with history and culture and offers a unique blend of ancient sites with modern amenities and attractions. It’s also an easy 90-minute flight away from Brussels, another European capital with its own line-up of treats. If a love of history attracted you to Scotland in the first place, there’s more where that came from in Brussels. However, there’s plenty that sets the city apart from Edinburgh too. Cutting-edge museums, exciting nightlife, plenty of green space, outdoor markets and amazing shopping are just a few reasons to visit. Oh, and of course, there’s the chocolate. Remember to stock up on the chocolate.
Studying in: Barcelona, Spain
Get away to: Lyon, France
Studying abroad in Barcelona means having access to golden sand beaches, fresh seafood, more than 60 city parks and the opportunity to soak up the laid-back Spanish lifestyle. Numerous universities, including the University of Barcelona and Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Barcelona Tech), offer many education options.
When you have some free time, switch things up with a quick trip to the lovely city of Lyon, France. The third largest city in the country, Lyon was recently voted “Europe’s Leading City Break Destination” at the 2016 World Travel Awards. It’s only about an hour flight, or just under five hours by high-speed train, from Barcelona. Lyon oozes charm and is home to 2,000 years of history. It’s also the birthplace of cinema and the second largest Renaissance city after Venice. When you get hungry, fret not – Lyon is a foodie paradise (similar to Barcelona in that respect) and is known as one of the great culinary capitals of the world.
Studying in: Paris, France
Get away to: Prague, Czech Republic
The City of Light is one of those destinations that ends up on plenty of bucket lists – with good reason. Art, history, shopping, food (oh, the food) and café culture are just the tip of the travel iceberg. In terms of studying, there are a number of schools to choose from, including prestigious universities like the Sorbonne and SciencesPo.
If you find yourself studying abroad in Paris, a good getaway is Prague, a quick hour and 40-minute flight away. You’ll see some similarities between the two cities, but might find Prague a bit more laid back and manageable to explore. Prague is also known to be cheaper than Paris, especially when it comes to beer, something the city, with its 28 breweries, is famous for. In addition, Prague offers stunning architecture in a variety of styles (from Gothic to Art Nouveau), meandering cobblestone streets made for aimless wandering, the beautiful Vltava River and numerous parks and gardens to explore.
Studying in: Melbourne, Australia
Get away to: Auckland, New Zealand
Several universities in Melbourne make this culturally rich city a popular study abroad destination. Any time not spent hitting the books may well go to exploring the city’s many laneways, which are filled with a plethora of funky street art, cool cafés, bars and boutiques. And that’s just scratching Melbourne’s surface. But if you want to hop on a plane and do some more travelling, why not add Auckland, New Zealand, to your list? A three-and-a-half-hour flight puts a new country stamp in your passport and lands you in close proximity to wineries, scenic hiking spots, beautiful beaches, volcanoes and loads of opportunities for getting your adrenaline pumping with activities like bungee jumping, skydiving and canyoning.
Studying in: Beijing, China
Get away to: Seoul, Korea
Whether your studies lean more towards the Chinese language, Asian studies, history, business economics or something in between, there’s likely a program suited to you in Beijing, a city that has become a huge hub for international students. The massive city is filled with seemingly endless historical and cultural attractions to keep students busy. When it’s time to travel, hop on a two-hour flight to Seoul, South Korea, where you can take a break from some of the hectic buzz of busy Beijing. Seoul has a lot to offer, including temples, museums for every interest (from history to traditional Korean art to kimchi), the world’s largest indoor theme park and a 24-hour culture to keep you on-the-go and exploring any time of day or night.
Studying in: Rome, Italy
Get away to: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Want to eat your fill of delicious pasta and be surrounded by awe-inspiring art and history? Then studying in Rome, Italy is probably a great idea for a semester abroad. There are 24 Italian and international colleges and universities in Rome, including Università la Sapienza, the largest in Europe. When you want to step away from the carbs, consider a getaway to Dubrovnik, Croatia, about an hour flight from Rome. Trade perfectly cooked plates of pasta for beautiful beaches set against the vibrant blue Adriatic Sea and the endlessly charming pedestrian-only Old Town. Dubrovnik also happens to be the main filming location for a little show called “Game of Thrones.”
Studying in: Dublin, Ireland
Get away to: Cardiff, Wales
There are more than a few study abroad programs in Dublin, Ireland, a city that draws international students interested in history and pub-hopping in quaint neighbourhoods like Temple Bar, where you can chat with friendly locals over a pint of Guinness. According to Student Universe, Dublin became one of the top five most popular study abroad destinations in 2015. Popular as it may be, at some point you will want a break from Dublin. Try hopping on a one-hour flight to nearby Cardiff in Wales where you can take advantage of a burgeoning culinary scene, lots of chances to catch a soccer or rugby game at world-famous Principality Stadium, a thriving nightlife and the proximity to cool castles well worth exploring.
Studying in: Tokyo, Japan
Get away to: Taipei, Taiwan
Tokyo offers international students a fascinating mash-up of old and new, ancient history and ultra-modern, all in one place. Japan’s capital is an ideal study abroad option for anyone who wants to experience a high-energy destination with cutting-edge fashion, art, design and food. In addition to the University of Tokyo, there are over 100 other universities and colleges in and around the city. When you want to do more travelling, think about a visit to Taipei, Taiwan, for some equally good food, fun and shopping, as well as the chance to soak in nearby hot springs, browse and snack your way through many a night market, get back to nature with some scenic day hikes and temple hop through the city.
Studying in: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Get away to: New York, New York, U.S.
Boston is home to several leading universities, making it an ideal study abroad city in the U.S. Beyond that, Boston is a city worthy of any traveller’s time, somewhere you can get your fill of arts and culture, history, sports and shopping. But if you’re studying there, why not take a weekend break and visit New York City? The Big Apple can be easily reached by bus, train or quick flight from Boston, and, once there, you’ll have your pick of enough to see, do and eat to keep you busy for your entire stay. Spend some time in Central Park, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art, head to the theatre district for a show and eat your way through Chelsea Market – just as a start.
Featured image: iStock photo/ franckreporter
Are you studying abroad? How do you plan to make the most of your travels? Let us know in the comments below.
