Number One: The Dedicated Student Ever academically minded, this student will be sure to remind you and your fellow classmates of every deadline and project that was assigned in class…because you definitely weren’t listening. They’ll be the first one to show up to the bus stop in the morning for class trips hauling a bag full of snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, chapstick, extra clothes, shoes and a foreign language dictionary just in case. This person is also likely to assume the role of class mom or dad. Ultimately, The Dedicated Student makes your study abroad experience way better considering they’ve thoroughly researched all the best local attractions and kept you from getting the worst sunburn of your life. They're also very generous and witty. Number Two: The Charismatic Chameleon This student is usually a natural at speaking to locals and is incredibly charming. When you do see them, they’ll likely introduce you to a ton of their new local friends that they just happened to meet at the local salsa joint…which by the way, they’re also a natural at. In class, they’re usually sitting up front eagerly asking questions about the local culture and by the end of the trip will have learned how to flirt, curse and converse flawlessly in the native language. The Charismatic Chameleon will push you out of your comfort zone at every given opportunity, but hey-when in Rome, right? Number Three: The Guru The Guru is the student who has likely already traveled all over the world and is always talking about some higher purpose or awakening. Their yoga mat was the first thing they packed with psychedelics being the second. In the first week, they’ve somehow located a local medicine man and a yoga studio within walking distance of their host home. The Guru is incredibly interested in local religious practices and can be found being blessed with sage outside the city cathedral or researching similar practices in the local library. This student is integral to your study abroad experience because they’ll open your eyes to new perspectives. They also tend to know exactly where to find the best espresso. Number Four: The Drinker This is the student that sends a one word text message to the group chat at nine in the morning just naming an alcohol. They will have established a favorite local drinking spot within 24 hours of their arrival and is the life of the party. They speak just enough of the local language to ask for their favorite beverage and will likely be out of money a week before the trip ends from buying drinks for everyone at the bar too many nights in a row. The Drinker is the last one to leave the party every night, but somehow pulls off straight A’s in all their early morning classes. We have no idea how they do it, but we all love The Drinker. Number Five: The Quiet One No one even hears The Quiet One talk until a few weeks into the trip. They can usually be found exploring the city solo or spending time with their host family, but The Quiet One is not to be underestimated...as soon as they’ve learned enough about everyone on the trip from listening closely those first few weeks, a savage sense of humor emerges. As the trip continues, The Quiet One gets less and less quiet, cracking jokes at every opportunity and speaking the local language like a pro. This person is musically talented and an awesome dancer. This student is probably everyone’s favorite by the end of the trip. Number Six: The Magician This student is called The Magician because they’re always disappearing. They’ll make an appearance at every group outing but will somehow end up on the roof of the museum or the inside of some ruin. The strangest thing is there’s no in between...they’re either in the group or up in a tree…and literally no one knows how they got up there. During nights out, you’ll draw straws to see who is assigned to supervising The Magician, although they’ll probably still disappear at some point in the night. The Magician keeps everyone on their toes, views the world with a childlike innocence and is friends with everyone. No one can hate the Magician. Number Seven: The Saint The Saint is that person that operates on a higher level than everyone else on the trip…or at least that’s how they feel. Rarely will you see this student out past nine o’clock and never will you see them drinking. They can usually be found reading or journaling and are usually the first ones to suggest an educational outing. This is the person you go to when you need advice and the person you avoid when you’ve failed a test. Everyone needs The Saint when studying abroad. The Saint is empathetic, honest to a fault and reminds us all to give back every now and then. Number Eight: The Chill The Chill is the person that could literally be anywhere in the world and look like they have it all figured it out. They don’t even need to learn the language. Usually seen sporting some killer shades and an outfit to match, this student can be found hitting up the local tattoo parlor or blogging about an awesome hole-in-the-wall restaurant their Uber driver recommended. Did I mention they only use UberLUX? The Chill is definitely a good friend to have while studying abroad because they somehow already have connections and can get you into practically any event. They also take the most amazing selfies. Number Nine: The Go-Go The Go-Go is always on the move. From scoping out the best cultural events in the city to participating in an all night dance marathon, this student is up for anything…and I mean anything. They’re at every event and every excursion with a huge smile on their face accompanied by a contagious positive energy. The Go-Go somehow always finds the perfect balance between studious and adventurous and could just as easily help you with your Spanish homework as they could participate in the world’s longest bar crawl. Perpetually playful and genuine, The Go-Go is everyone’s best friend. Number Ten: The Chainsmoker The Chainsmoker is the student that's always blitzed. They usually hang out on the back of the bus during group trips and disappear once you’ve reached your destination, returning with a goofy smile on their face and story to tell. They have so many local friends and know so much slang in the native language that people start to think they’re a local just tagging along with your group. If you ask The Chainsmoker how they’re doing, they will always respond with the phrase, “I’m soooo good, man. Life is good.” The Chainsmoker is the best person to have deep conversations with and shares absolutely everything. In the end, you learn just as much from the classmates you're traveling with as you do from the locals and your classes. Enjoy the company and all the personalities while you can because even if they drive you nuts, you're going to miss them.
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About the AuthorMoriah is an Arizona State University student with an innate passion for learning and travel. Archives
October 2017
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