Day 0: Departure. Spain, here we come!

Getting ready for the trip

I decided to start with a day zero because it was the mark of many wonderful memories, lessons, and friendships.

To finally be at the airport with the my study abroad crew and begin the trip to Southern Spain and the Kingdom of Morocco, my excitement was beyond compare. As the Spring semester was coming to an end and all of my time was consumed with assignments and finals, I realized that I have not had time to really get excited about the trip. Packing itself was adventure on its own. Here is some helpful info on a few things to get you started for the trip.

Packing

The packing is very important part of the trip, so here are some tips that maybe make it easier prepping for the adventure. I packed a small/medium suitcase and ended up running out of space. Be sure to pack a large suitcase and leave some empty space. That's okay! You will get enough items to fill it up during the trip and eliminating folding and organizing can make it easier for getting ready when it is time to changing hotels. Sometimes you simply run out of time and if you have the luxury of extra space you could just dump everything in your suitcase.

Dressing comfortably is a must! The flight is long.

Helpful Items & Tips

#1 One of the items I would not travel with is Bose noice cancelling headphones. Having those gives you a quiet time to rest, think, read, or whatever your little heart desires. Don't forget the extra batteries!

#2 Single use tooth brushes. You can find those at the travel section in the grocery store. They come in a pack of eight and are very easy to use when you need to refresh on the go. An overnight flight makes a perfect use for this item!

#3 If you travel through Europe, having Euros in your pocket right after you land for coffee, water, and snacks is priceless.

#4 A book to read and your favorite songs downloaded on your phone.

#5 Battery chargers - I had two and never run out of battery.

#6 Stick with your group. #7 Cell phone use in a foreign country - buy a local sim card. Your tour guide will help you find a store if you ask him/her. Prior to your departure, check to with your telecommunication company to see if your phone is unlocked. If it is not, ask how to unlock it so you can use a local sim card. It is a lot cheaper to have the a local sim card and convenient to have data at all times. The cost for the sim card is only ten euros. It definitely beats the international fees and data usage. I bought a card in Spain and in Morocco; my total cost was $20 and I had internet access almost all of the time. When we came back, I learned that one of my friends was charged close to a thousand dollars for international calls. Save yourself some headache and money!

#8 GSU Study Abroad workshops - go to those! The workshops had a lot of helpful information, your time there will be well spent.

#9 Pack your favorite chewing gum, mints, etc.

#10 Bus rides and planning for bathroom breaks. And what I mean by that is try not to drink any liquids if you have a small bladder like I do. There are some planned bathroom breaks, but know that the bus will not stop on a special request.

Once You Arrive

Just enjoy, but also be cognizant of the fact that your a guest in the country and know that not everything is the same as back home. For example, service, food, local customs. Your hosts have done their homework and usually do their best to accommodate you. If for some reason you don't like something, try your best to adjust to the situation and have a good time. Be in the moment and enjoy it!

That's it for Day 0.

Thanks for reading, V