The Vatican
ESTIMATING COSTS
To help fund my semester abroad, I picked up an internship that started before I left and ended during my first week of classes. Balancing work and travel required some careful time management and an increase in communication skills. Still, it provided additional knowledge useful for my future career and a financial cushion that made my experience possible. Other options to finance your trip include scholarships, tutoring students, freelancing remotely, or asking for a loan from family members or mentors.
To give a better idea of what you are looking at as some of the largest expenses while abroad, here is an example of some potential budgets to keep in mind:
* Round Trip Transcontinental Flight: ~$1300
* Intercontinental Flights: ~$100-200 per flight (depending on your schedule and how many trips you want to take – this can add up quickly)
* Accommodation/Rent: ~$1000/month (for non-university affiliated housing; university-affiliated housing tends to be significantly cheaper)
* Groceries: ~$200/month
* Public transportation: ~$50-100/month (dependent on whether you are in a larger city like London or Paris, or a more walkable city like Prague or Madrid)
* Leisure/Travel: $300-500/trip (dependent on where you stay, where you eat, activities you do, and things you purchase while in each location)
ADAPTING TO A NEW KIND OF CLASSROOM
In Paris, my classroom experience was nothing like what I had grown accustomed to at Ross. French professors favored three-hour lectures held once a week, often with little-to-no structured syllabus. Instead, they spoke freely about their industry experiences, sometimes leaving me unsure about grading criteria or course expectations. At first, this style was unsettling, but I learned to adapt by taking the initiative: asking questions, collaborating with classmates, and synthesizing content on my own. Balancing schoolwork with cultural immersion and travel was challenging, especially with a 40-minute commute to and from school each day. But it also taught me resilience and time management like nothing I had experienced before.
Finding peers in each of your classes that you can gravitate to study with, and potentially hang out with outside of the classroom will be instrumental in helping you feel more comfortable in your classes. It was great to have a familiar face in the classroom and to have someone to experience the city with on the weekends. In addition, something that I wish I did more was connect more with my professors while abroad. Having the opportunity to learn from professors who have lived such different experiences than our professors back in the U.S. is such a wonderful opportunity, and is something I regret not taking advantage of more.
Being in Paris, I was compelled to take business elective courses that revolved around the atmosphere I was immersing myself in—which in this case was the luxury fashion industry. One class that I found most interesting was Innovative Merchandising, which focused on marketing and sales trends in the luxury space. Our main goal throughout the term was to focus on one brand we were most interested by—in my case I chose Ralph Lauren—and analyze their Parisian storefront and interior. I had the chance to visit the Champs-Élysées and Ralph Lauren’s iconic flagship in Paris—both of which challenged me to analyze the French luxury industry on a more critical level. I highly recommend taking the time to look through the course offerings and aligning your course selections with classes that not only fit the logistical requirements of your semester but also align with your interest. You’ll find that you get more out of it, and be more interested in completing the work!
Morocco excursion
TRAVELING TIPS
Exploring Europe was a huge part of my abroad experience and a piece of the semester I could not imagine my journey without it. Getting an idea early on about where you want to visit and when will allow you to take advantage of the tricks of booking flights and finding ways to save money. Websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights were my go-to resources for researching budget fares. Mid-week travel tends to be the cheapest option, which is something that many people are able to do depending on your course schedule. In my case, I stacked my classes 1-7pm Monday through Wednesday so I could travel or explore Thursday thru Sunday. In addition, flights booking about a month or two in advance often allowed for the cheapest options. When it came to credit cards abroad, I chose one with no foreign transaction fees and travel rewards—leveraging reward miles to purchase my round-trip flight to and from Paris for under $60.
Packing for months requires strategic thinking, but packing for a weekend trip in a backpack can also be a hassle. Pack light, and focus on versatile clothing. Europe’s unpredictable weather called for layers and a good pair of walking shoes. I found it useful to research the typical style of the location I was living in, to get a better understanding of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to trying not to stick out. For example, in Paris, it is incredibly rare to see anyone in leisure clothing or shorts in public, and neutral-colored clothing tends to be more commonly worn than not. I also would recommend doing some research into the typical weather for the time you will be there and plan accordingly.
Some of my favorite travel destinations and most recommended trips include the following:
* Interlaken, Switzerland: Not only had I always wanted to see the Swiss Alps, but this is an incredible trip for anyone interested in hiking, skiing, or even skydiving! Heads up: Switzerland is an incredibly expensive country, so plan to stay in a hostel and cook a few meals there to save money.
* Rome, Italy: The earlier in the semester (February-March) you travel here, the better to avoid the crowds that tend to flood the city during most of the year. However, the history of this city is incredibly special and something I have never seen before. I highly recommend visiting the Colosseum and the restaurant that created Fettuccine Alfredo, il Vero Alfredo!
* Mallorca, Spain: Not only is this the perfect vacation destination, but it is a wonderful island to explore some of the ancient towns still intact throughout the mountain ranges on the island! Incredible beaches, hiking, and historic exploration are available.
* Edinburgh, Scotland: Despite being one of the largest cities in Scotland, it is such a quaint and bookish destination that has such a warmth to it. Inspiring some of the most iconic parts of Harry Potter, this was such a wonderful place to visit with such an exciting set of historic landmarks.
* Marrakech, Morocco: If you are studying abroad in Europe, it is almost a must to travel to Morocco toward the end of your semester. There are many options to attend a guided tour, but I highly recommend the three-day tour that offers you an opportunity to spend a night in the Sahara. This was my last trip abroad, and truly one of the most fulfilling experiences.
Tayla Jankowski
THINKING BACK, ALMOST A YEAR LATER!
Reflecting back on my semester abroad, I realize that the true value of this experience extended far beyond the classroom. Paris challenged me to grow as a person, teaching me adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and the beauty of embracing the unknown. The friendships I made, the lessons I learned, and the moments of pure awe are memories that I’ll carry with me forever.
Studying abroad isn’t just about academic credits—it’s about personal growth. I gained a deep appreciation for French culture while strengthening my confidence and independence. If I could give one piece of advice to future study abroad students, it would be to prepare well but remain open to the unexpected. No amount of preparation can eliminate every challenge, but facing those challenges head-on is what makes the experience so transformative. Studying abroad taught me that stepping into the unknown isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace.
If you’re considering studying abroad, know that the value extends far beyond the travel and the photos. It’s a unique opportunity to develop the adaptability, resilience, and cultural intelligence that will define your success as a business professional in a globalized economy. For me, Paris was just the beginning, and the lessons I took from my time abroad will stay with me for a lifetime.
Tayla Jankowski is a BBA Senior at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, originally from Royal Oak, MI. Over her three years at Michigan, she has been highly involved in the undergraduate business community. Tayla has served as Senior Vice President of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, Peer Coach for the Career Development Office, Senior Advisor in APEX Consulting Club, and a Ross Student Ambassador. In the broader Michigan community, she serves on the Center for Campus Involvement Advisory Board and enjoys trying new restaurants around campus. Upon graduation, Tayla will be pursuing a career in management consulting.
DON’T MISS: TAYLA’S TAKE: YOU’RE A MONTH INTO COLLEGE — NOW WHAT?
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