The funny thing about my study abroad experience in Europe is that I spent a lot of time feeling homesick while I was there, but now that I’m back, I miss it more and more every day. Being introduced to European culture comes with some pretty big culture shock, but you never seem to really appreciate all the little things about your experience until you’re back home and something feels missing. If you’ve ever studied abroad in Europe, indulge with me as I recount the top four things I miss about this beautiful continent.

1. Student Perks

Having a few bucks knocked off your movie theater ticket seemed pretty sweet to me as an American student, but when I got to Europe, I felt a little cheated. Students are granted discounts basically everywhere in Europe—with up to 20% off at some to-die-for clothing stores.

2. High Fashion

If you wear sweats and no makeup to class at an American college, no one even blinks an eye. In fact, it’s more noticeable if you don’t wear this lazy getup. If you wore this same outfit in Europe, you’d stick out like a sore thumb. Europeans are impeccable dressers—and this goes for both male and female students. Three-piece suits, freshly pressed skirts and perfectly polished hair are basically non-existent back at my American campus.

3. Country Hopping

Weekend trip to the Alps? Romantic evening in Paris? Oktoberfest, anyone? When you study abroad in Europe, you can country hop like it’s nobody’s business. The countries of Europe are diverse, culturally unique and just a three-hour train ride away. In America, the best you can get with a three-hour trip is a glimpse into the culture of the next state over.

4. Awesome Public Transportation

Not having a car in America can make you feel stranded everywhere you go, but in Europe it actually makes more sense not to have your own car. Public transportation is easily accessible in nearly all major European cities, and it’s easy on your wallet and simple to figure out. Not to mention, a ride on the Tube in London or the Métro in Paris is always a great opportunity to make new foreign friends.

I should point out that my positive experience in Europe wasn’t due entirely to the qualities of the continent; it also had a lot to do with my extensive planning before the trip even began. To make your experience as memorable as mine, I’ll leave you with the following take-away tips:

• Purchase graduate student health insurance: Seriously. Safety and security are key for avoiding disasters.
• Exchange your money before you leave: Converting at the airport or in Europe comes with way more fees.
• Budget, budget, budget: Spontaneous trips, delicious dinners and high-end shopping runs up a hefty bill, so make sure you don’t run out of money!

My experience studying abroad in Europe was a unique and amazing one. I’d recommend such a trip to any student considering a semester in another country. Be prepared to spend a lot of time preparing for the trip beforehand, and then reap the benefits by learning more than you could ever pick up in an American classroom.

When on holiday you can often feel as though need to get outside and do something active, but something that’s fun and not repetitive, cycling is ideal for this and allows you to do it with the whole family. Not only this but you can get back to nature on some country trails. I recently went on a biking holiday in Cornwall with my family and found a lovely holiday cottage for us to all stay in from West Cornwall Holiday Cottages. It was located in St Ives which we loved, stunning beaches and close to the A30 so easily accessible. I found Cornwall to be a beautiful part of England, peaceful and tranquil with some of the nicest bike trails I’ve cycled. Here are 5 of the trails we did with a short guide to each:

5. Wadebridge to Padstow (the Camel Trail)

Cycling from Wadebridge to Padstow is 6 miles, however if you do the return journey it is obviously 12 miles. It is a fairly flat route with some small inclines and so it is a trip that the whole family can take without too much difficulty. When cycling the camel trail you are able to see some wonderful coastal views, without having to go near any busy roads.

INSET PIC (attached to email)

4. Portreath to Devoran to The Mineral Tramway

This cycle trail lasts for 14 miles and for the most part stays away from the main roads. There are some inclines along the way and there is bike hire at various points across the trail. Again, with this journey you can really see some of the Cornish countryside, with bushes, fields and trees. This would be a beautiful journey to take in the summer, on warm days with a breeze.

INSET PIC (attached to email)

3. Redruth to St. Ives – ‘The Coastal Trek’

This is the coastal route to St. Ives and is 19 miles long, so be sure to take plenty of refreshments with you. There are some hills along the way but there is one particularly steep incline. You will follow mostly country tracks but you may come across some busier roads. However, if you do finish the journey then the small town of St. Ives with its stunning views and quant cafes will massively reward you.

2. Penzance to Marazion and St. Michael’s Mount

This is the kind of journey the whole family can go on, even if you have small children, as it is only 4 miles. You will also cycle alongside the coast, which will give undoubtedly take your minds off the fact that you are exercising. This is a very enjoyable bike ride and you can appreciate some of the tourist attractions when at the small towns.

1. Mevagissey Pentewan Trail

This is a 7 mile round route that takes you through some delightful little trails around Mevagissey. When you are on the bike ride you will be able to see farmland, woodland and fields, and you may even see some wildlife around, which can make it fun and interesting, especially for the children. If you are planning on making this a full family day out, taking a picnic could be a really good idea as you can stop half way through and get some refreshments, it is also a good way to stay hydrated.

Overall bike rides are a really fun way to spend the day with the whole family, and a way to get into nature, particularly if you live in the city or have been doing all the busy tourist attractions while in Cornwall. It is also a way to fill the day without spending too much money, if any if you already have your bikes with you. When you are on the bike ride, be sure to always wear a helmet and take some water with you, as keeping safe is one of the main ways to make sure that you can have a fun, relaxing time.

New York City is home to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world – the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, sports teams and more! While you’re visiting the Big Apple, you’re going to want to visit some, if not all, of the iconic buildings, shows, shops and restaurants, and one way that’s going to help you do that all is staying in a hotel that’s convenient to all the things you want to do. Choose a hotel that’s close to everything on your to-do list so you’ll have time to see it all, and can cut taxi costs so that you can afford to do even more! There are several things to consider when you’re choosing from all the New York City hotels to find the best one for your trip, but the most important thing is location!

Times Square Hotels
There are five boroughs in New York City, and each one has something different to offer. Many people who come to New York spend the majority of their time in various parts of Manhattan. If your biggest priorities includes seeing a show on Broadway, sightseeing and if it’s your first time in NYC, your best bet is a Times Square hotel. There are a wide variety of Times Square hotels, from the most luxurious hotels in the world to budget friendly choices. While they all offer convenience, some offer beautiful views of the city, some are top party-hotels, some are extremely family friendly, and other offer great hotel deals that make the decision to stay here obvious.

Midtown Manhattan Hotels
Midtown Manahattan hotels offer one of the most Central locations for travelers who have a lot of diverse things on their agenda, rather than just the Times Square attractions. If you’re here during the spring, head to Yankees Stadium for a baseball game. This Stadium is located in the Bronx, and if you’re coming to New York just for a game, you might consider staying in a hotel nearby, but the Bronx isn’t a very desirable area for many travelers. The stadium is easily accessible by the subway from Manhattan though, so an even better choice is to stay in Midtown Manhattan so that you can enjoy all of the other great things to do in NYC on your trip, and when the time comes, take a short ride over to Yankee Stadium, then back again for more shopping, dining, sightseeing and a stroll through Central Park. Midtown Manhattan is also the best place for the museum lovers to stay, as many of the most famous museums like The Met, MoMa, the Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim and more are located throughout this part of town.

Staying Near Madison Square Garden
New York City is now home to two popular basketball teams, the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets. The Knicks play in Madison Square Garden, and staying near this Stadium is a great choice for every traveler. Madison Square Garden is located centrally near Times Square, Chelsea and Murray Hill, so you can see the Knicks, the New York Rangers or check out a concert at the stadium, but you’re also within walking distance to some of the best restaurants, shopping, nightlife and Broadway theatres to enjoy on the rest of your trip.

Brooklyn Hotels
If you’re more of a Nets fan, then you might want to stay in Brooklyn. The new Barclays Center is a great venue to watch the Brooklyn Nets ball or see a concert, and every year, Brooklyn is getting more and more desirable. Brooklyn is a great place for younger travelers to stay, as it’s got a lot of cheap but fun places to hang out, sightsee and explore. Many of the bars and restaurants in Brooklyn are a bit more trendy, a lot more affordable than what you’ll find in Times Square and you’ll find more locals hanging out on a regular basis. There are tons of attractions in Brooklyn other than the basketball team and drinking and dining options though. Travelers staying here have easy access to the Brooklyn Bridge, many of the most famous parks in NYC (other than Central Park of course) and easy access to Coney Island. Even if you do decide to stay in Brooklyn, Manhattan is just a short ride away, so you can hang out in the more crowded areas of NYC for a day, night or few hours and head back to more down-to-Earth Brooklyn when that gets a little overwhelming.

New York City is one of the easiest places for travelers without a car to get around. The subway and buses go all over town, and it’s one of the most walkable cities in the world, so staying in a hotel that’s central to all you want to do is very important. Decide what you want to do and choose your hotel based on that list to make it easy for you to do it all while you’re here!