Tia Banks and Jelani Spencer-Joe discuss some tips for studying abroad in a big city. They share experiences from studying in London and Prague. Some key points include:
- Big cities have many distractions like clubs, bars, and socializing that can take time away from school. Proper time management is important.
- Public transportation systems may be different abroad and require learning maps and schedules. Having backup plans is crucial in case of delays or issues.
- Finances also require planning, as costs include transportation, food, activities, and going out. Issues like finding an accessible bank could arise.
- Safety precautions are important when going out at night, such as not leaving
4. London Profile
English is spoken (some words are different)
■ Sneakers - Trainers
■ Sweater - Jumper
■ Line - Que
Diverse city
■ over 300 different languages are
spoken
■ 2013 population of 8.4 million
5. Jelani Spencer-Joe
- Junior
- New York City
- Prague, Fall 2014
- Major: Public Relations
Minor: Broadcasting
- Communications, New Media
+ Journalism Program (CIEE)
7. Prague Profile
Czech and English are spoken
■ Dobry den/ ahoj = hello
Population of 1.24 million people
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
■ Prague Castle
■ Charles Bridge
■ Lennon Wall
■ Old Town Square
8. What are some differences when it comes to
studying abroad in a city and going to school at
Susquehanna?
9. Distractions in a big city
● Many places to go
● Traveling (especially to other countries!)
● Clubs, bars, parties
● Being of legal drinking age
● Boys/girls
12. Tia’s Experience
● Piccadilly Circus was a short distance from
Regent’s and the Pubs were open every night
● My friends went out every Thursday to
O’neills and asked me to come, but I had
class every Friday morning.
What would you do in that situation?
13. Transportation
● Learn how to read a map
● Check what travel options are available
o Bus, train, tram, Uber, etc.
● Know what time public transportation
begins and ends
● Understand military time (00:00 - 24:00)
● Always have a backup plan
● Use trustworthy taxis
14. Jelani’s Experience
One Saturday, I finished partying with friends
at 2am. I didn’t know the metro in Prague
stopped running at midnight I wasn’t sure how
to get home using the night trams that run until
5am. I also didn’t have any cash on me.
What should I do?
17. Reading a transportation map
- know where your starting and end points are
- make sure you know which lines are express
and which lines are local
- have an idea of the different places you can
transfer at
- know who to talk to if you’re lost (and how to
say it in a country’s native language)
18. Finances
● Here are some of little things you may forget
about:
o Money for transportation
o Snacks
o Shopping
o Excursions
o Traveling
o Clubs
o Alcohol
o Eating Out
19. Jelani and Tia’s Experience
Imagine that you picked out a bank to go to
while you’re abroad so you can take out money
without getting fees. Once you get there, you
learn that it’s not a real bank, but the
headquarters and you can’t take money out
from there.
What would you do?
20. Nightlife
● Know your limits
● Don’t put your drink down
● Don’t have that YOLO moment and do drugs
● Do not carry around your passport
● Go out with friends and leave with friends
● Keep track of your bags
21. Tia’s Experience
● My friends and I were on our way to a club
for my birthday. One of them drank too
much and couldn’t handle herself. She threw
up on the Tube and then blacked out on the
platform.
What would you do in this situation?
22. Tips for living in a busy city
- when going somewhere, plan how much time
you’ll need for transportation
- have extra money
- know or have emergency numbers in an
accessible place (ex: taxi, friends, police,
ambulance)
