1.Plan, Research and then plan some more:
Even though you are only studying abroad in one city, that doesn’t mean you are limited to seeing just one place! Many students spend their free weekends in different towns, cities, or even countries (especially if you are studying abroad in Europe where everything is just a couple-hour plane ride away and also much cheaper than any flights we are used to in the states). My suggestion is to look into the weekend destinations you might want to visit before you go. I personally started my research with websites like pinterest.com, which will just be the spark for your wanderlust.

2. Grow your piggy bank:
No matter how much you save, you will always feel like a broke college student. That’s because you have never in your life blown hundreds of dollars on just one weekend of experiences (well maybe just in Vegas) and then repeated several weekends in a row. My best advice is to save as much money as possible beforehand. Trust me: you would rather spend your money on an experience abroad than an expensive jacket before you left. Let travel be your motivation to work hard and save your money!

3. Get a credit card with an electronic chip:
You will find that most countries (specifically in Europe) all have chips on their debit and credit cards. This is basically an advanced system for identification purposes that the United States is still lagging to implement. Either way, it is important to go to your bank and inform them about your travel plans and while you are there, inquire about ordering a card with a chip. Also, make sure you have more than one card. It’s possible that your bank may find your spending abroad as fraudulent and decline your transaction. Come with at least two cards for back-up so you don’t run into any issues.