In my previous post, I mentioned ways to get around Singapore. However, another important component of the study abroad experience includes traveling to nearby countries and exploring other cultures as well. Often times, friends will post their crusades in other countries on social media. While the pictures seem to portray simple, fun adventures, what isn't shown are the numerous hours pouring over details about flights, lodging, activities, and meals.
Even before arriving in Singapore, I had a vague idea of other countries I wanted to travel to visit while studying abroad. This list included countries such as: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Laos. As days turned into weeks and I continued to remain in Singapore, my anxiety about traveling increased. I had created an unreasonably high expectation for myself regarding traveling. For me, studying abroad meant doing something new everyday and exploring new countries every weekend. However, the reality is far from this idealized theory. Below I have listed some myths that I believe people have about traveling to other countries.
Myth 1: Everyone's schedules will align perfectly.
The experience of traveling to other countries is enhanced when friends join along and explore together. In an ideal world, all of the friends that one makes while studying abroad have the same class schedule. This schedule would consist of classes from Tuesday to Thursday so that Friday to Monday can be dedicated to traveling. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. On my trip, I have friends whose classes end around 6pm on Friday. I, myself, have classes on Mondays that start at 12pm. Moreover, the situation becomes even more nuanced when more people are factored in. While it can be frustrating to have to limit traveling to certain days throughout the weekend, it is important to be flexible and accommodate everyone. A benefit of traveling with a group of friends as opposed to traveling alone is that you can feel safer in an unfamiliar place.
Myth 2: Traveling around and exploring South East Asia (SEA) is cheap and easy.
Yes, international trips between countries in SEA can be cheaper than domestic flights in the United States. For example, my roundtrip flights from Boston to D.C. usually cost upwards of $130 whereas roundtrip tickets from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia can range from $50 to $80. However, this is not the reality for traveling to all regions in SEA and making several trips around SEA in one semester can add up very quickly to a lot of money. Additionally, one also has to consider all of the transportation and accommodation necessary within the country. Unfortunately, besides booking early and searching for cheaper airlines, there is not much one can do regarding the cost of traveling around SEA. To help deal with the stress of expenses, I keep a realistic, reasonable budget and remind myself that spending money on these necessary items is inevitable. The goal of traveling is to learn about different cultures and immerse yourself in a new environment, not to over stress about expenses.
Myth 3: You will be able to do each activity on your list.
Because each country has so much to offer, it is easy to come up with a list of activities to do throughout the trip. However, it is also important to take different factors that can affect the number of activities actually done. For example, while you may have four activities planned for one day within a city, the amount of energy everyone has throughout the day and the time it takes to transport to the locations can reduce the number of activities actually done to three or two. Therefore, it is important to keep realistic goals about activities to do throughout the day and trip overall.
Throughout the semester, I have learned it is important to prioritize the places I visit and adventures I go on. There is a pressure to travel to other countries on a study abroad trip; however, it is equally important to remember that it is okay to take a step back and spend some weekends at the home university/country. There is so much to be discovered within Singapore and I am excited to continue finding hidden gems throughout the semester.