15 Ways to Spot a Study Abroader

After being guilty of being spotted as at study abroad student and analyzing my own behaviors while in a foreign country, I compiled a list of 15 funny signs that someone is a student studying abroad. While it may be shameful and some of them may be too true to admit, we are all foreigners in our own right and should wear it proudly… right? Enjoy.

1. Anytime they hear Christmas music, they suddenly grow emotional and feel enticed to share a family tradition and reminisce about Christmases of the past.
2. Any time they enter a public café, restaurant or bar, they are searching for wifi on their smart phone. (Guilty.)
3. After any purchase, they groan about the exchange rate and how much money they are losing. It always tears your heart out a little bit each time.                                                                      (except for EU students, because the Euro is the Euro. No difference. Lucky kids.)
4. They are bound to have a Rick Steve's Guide to the country of destination, guiding them through the hot spots to go and wha
   
   t to see on a budget (although it is cliché, I find them very handy).
5. At the nearest hotel, they are bound to go in the lobby and take advantage of those free city maps, given that there isn't a tourist office within 50 feet of the airport drop off. Knowledge is power, folks.
6. They get excited over eating the "local" food, requiring a photo to be taken before eating the first bite.
7. The phrase, "what's good here?" is constantly asked in restaurants or bars immediately before ordering.
8. Anytime they spot a cute animal like a domesticated dog, they feel an urge to love it to death because they are deprived of having a pet.
9. If a Starbucks or Subway is within a mile of where they are standing, they can usually smell it out and run to it for pure comfort and a sense of home.
10. They are eager to make conversation with strangers, hoping to start an interesting conversation about cultural differences or anything relating to traveling.
11. Obviously, the accent. Although, in my personal experience, sometimes I don't even speak and Irish people know I'm American. I'm still trying to figure that one out..
12. They have an intuition about where the local ATM's are, and you can be sure that they know how to navigate around the hostelworld.com webpage.
13. When describing where they recommend to go visit or eat, they might respond, "OH! I read about that!"
14. At any public museum or attraction, they are very satisfied and happy with their experience if there is a student discount for the admission charge.
15. It is a huge surprise and very unpleasant situation when they realize that they need to pay to use a public toilet. 

Off to Amsterdam this weekend, look on Monday for a new post! Thanks for reading, everyone. Love you all and miss you! I am continually grateful for the support that I have from my friends and family. I'm a very lucky girl and never forget that.

Lindsay