How to Capture Your Travels Abroad

As the end of the spring semester approaches, the next wave of students studying, interning, working, or simply traveling abroad for the summer, fall, or academic year is approaching. These opportunities are statistically and personally unique and may very well be some of your best yet. Many students wish they would have better documented their travels and we urge you to record and capture them. This is also to say that there is a beauty about disconnecting and fully immersing yourself in the moment.  

While taking in a whole new country while completing academic credit may take most your time, the process of recording memories can be fun and easy. A few words or photos are better than none. Not only will this help you remember, but it allows others how you are maximizing your time abroad. No doubt family and friends will be curious, and other students will be inspired by your travels and use your collections to see more of what to expect.

There are many different platforms and endless methods to capture your experiences- photographs, videos, words, and art. This post is to help show some options on how to record your time abroad. You may want to establish a theme or plan before you go to allow for easier compilation, consistency and more motivation. We hope this list helps you to preserve your treasured experiences and memories for years upon your return.

• Photographs
  • “10 photo apps to help you capture your study abroad experience”
  • Photo Albums Online: Flikr, Picasa, Photobucket, Dropbox
  • Capture a specific pose in all your destinations
• Video
  • Record a few seconds from every day to put together at the end. Try the App Life in Seconds.
  • Stop-Motion Video

• Paper Journal– This option is one of the best to capture smaller details, discrepancies, and feelings. Challenge yourself to write every night or when you’re on public transportation. Moleskin is recommended.
  • This is a great article to get you started
• Blog 
  • Tumblr, WordPress, Blogger
•  Scrapbook
  • No-glue travel scrapbook:
    To simplify the process, fill a three-ring binder with plastic sleeves for the receipts, ticket stubs, labels, wrapper, maps, postcards, etc. you collect on a trip. There is no end to what you can collect.

• Audio Journal- voice record your thoughts for the day.
• Social Media
  • Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • Here’s 20 Popular Travel Instagram Accounts

• Clothing
  • Start with a plain, light colored bag, shirt, shoes, etc. to decorate as you go with names, ribbons, or charms.
• Keep-Sake Key Ring
• Photobook
  • You can make and order your own with Shutterfly. They offer great promotions such as 101 free prints, free photobooks, and discounts if you register an account. Photographs can also be printed on gift items, decorator items, stationary, and more.
• Collect Postcards
• Collect Souvenirs of all sorts. Magnets, stickers, cards, bracelets.

• Send Letters or group Emails
• Get a tattoo

Global Opportunities would love to showcase your experience to the CSU and COB community. Please feel welcome to share photos, videos, words, and stories with us at goabroad@biz.colostate.edu or on our Facebook.