• Bring the right gear: an international sized carry-on, toiletry bottles, travel organizer bags, and travel locks for your carry-on & backpack.

• Plan before you leave: Plan 1–3 trips before you go and the rest while you’re abroad. Diversify friends that you travel with, 3–4 people per trip is ideal.

• Do your research: Use TripAdvisor, Yelp, and TheFork because travel is too short for bad restaurants. These apps should be your best friends.

• Spend extra time in your home city: Go early (before classes start), leave late.

• Remember the moments: Bring an awesome camera (preferably a newer phone than a separate device)

• Things move quickly, find ways to slow it down: Journal every day. Be diligent. Keep track of memories before you lose them. Too much happens in one month.

• Free Walking Tours: Start your time in a city with a free walking tour (you tip at the end). The tour will give you an understanding of (1) the historical significance, (2) layout of the city, and (3) tips from a knowledgeable, local guide. This will influence your prioritization of “things to do” while in the new city.

• Rock on: Have awesome headphones. You use them… a lot. Download music, podcasts, audiobooks, and movies locally ahead of time.

• Appreciate the opportunity: Thank your parents. Then set a reminder to do it again next week. (Bonus points if you meet them during your spring break.)

My go-to travel attire. — Berlin, Germany in April 2017

Build in time for reflection. — Amsterdam, Netherlands in March 2017

Spring Break with my parents. — Málaga, Spain in April 2017