• Darkroom: I’ve recently started using this app, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites. You import any pictures from your camera roll and have the option to edit them individually or as a batch. The app also saves your edited pictures, whether it’s finished or simply in progress, so that you can return and make more changes. Your photos can be separated similarly to the iPhone camera roll, such as ‘All Photos’ or ‘Favorites.’
• Snapseed: My photography professor turned me in onto this nifty little app. It’s great when you want to have more control over your pictures when editing them, but don’t want to break out the big boys (Lightroom and Photoshop). My favorite part of this app is the Selective tool, which allows you to edit only the parts you want. Whenever you save your photo, it gives you the option to modify the original photo, save as a copy, or export a brand new image. I love this diversity! Lastly, under “Looks,” you will be able to select filters, but the best part of this is that you can continue to edit pictures just like you did in your last one with the “Last edits” filter. 
• Color Story: When I first began reading blogs, I found A Beautiful Mess blog and fell in love. When they launched their first app (Color Story), I was all in! I use this app to brighten my photos naturally and to see how my instagram feed will look using the ‘Grid’ feature. You can plan out one instagram for free, but if you want to add more, you pay for each additional account. I currently manage two instagram feeds using this feature, and it saves me so much stress of wondering what my feed will look like! You can also plan your caption, schedule your photos, and even publish directly from the app. This app will also let you import previously taken photos or take pictures directly in the app (in either a square or rectangular format) while utilizing their ‘focus’ and ‘iso’ features. 

• Google Maps: Of course this was going to be the first bullet on this list. Google Maps is universal! No matter where you go, you can rely on this wonderful digital map. The great thing about this app is that you can download an offline map prior to your trip, which is a great idea to safeguard from not having data and being lost. When in certain areas, you will also have to option to order an Uber directly from the app if that’s a convenient mode of transportation. 
• GoEuro: When in Europe, do as the Europeans do. This app is great when you need to catch a train because you can easily find tickets and purchase them directly in the app. There’s no need to rely on computers or printers either, because you can use your mobile ticket on the trains. GoEuro allows you to purchase your tickets in whatever currency you would like. 
• App in the Air: I used this app for the first time when I flew to Italy. It allows you to input your flight information (such as booking code) and it keeps track of all the important stuff for you. You will be notified when it’s time to check-in for your flight, when boarding happens, when the plane is taking off, and when it’s landing. You will able to see whether any delays occur, which terminal and gate your flight is in, the duration of your flight, what the weather is for your intended destination, what airline you will be flying with and what aircraft you will be flying on. Aside from that, you can upload your boarding pass for ease-of-access, or manually input the information. More great features of the app include the ‘Checklist and Notes’, which gives you a default of things to pack (with the option to modify or add) and check off the list once you do pack. the ‘Expense Tracking’ (with the option to change currencies and label what each expense was for), ‘Wallet’ (which allows you to track your loyalty points), and ‘Baggage’ (which will tell you the size and weight of luggage your airline will allow you).

• TripLingo: With this app, you will be able to choose your intended country and download a mini-dictionary to use. It’s not a confusing one either! The dictionary comes under ‘Phrases’ and is broken down, such as “Just the Basics,” “Safety Phrases,” and “About You.” This is great when you do not know your host country’s language, but need to communicate. TripLingo also allows provides a voice translator, image translator, a ‘Culture, ‘Tools,’ and ‘Safety’ tab. 
• Google Translate: This app allows you to translate to and from whatever language you want. You can also download the languages for offline translation, which I highly recommend! 

• AI Currency: I downloaded this app when it was in the AppStore for free, but I still recommend you get it even for a little price. It allows you to take a picture of a price and convert it to your own currency. It takes into account the current exchange rate so that you can get an accurate idea of what the item costs at the moment. 
• Venmo or CashApp: Having a money exchange app is important, especially when you are traveling with others. In Europe, it is common for one person to pay for the bill and handle splitting the price later within the attendees. In order to easily pay one another, apps like Venmo and CashApp are used because they’re easy and free to use. 

• How does studying abroad open doors for you?

• What’s something you wish you knew the first time you studied abroad?

When someone goes abroad, everyone automatically assumes that they are going to have the best experience in the world. Little known fact though: not every experience is great. Things happen: you may not like the location at all, the people you are with may suck, or you’re too homesick. Or even if your experience is good, it may not be as great as you might have thought. There’s so much pressure put on people who study or go abroad. That can make an experience exhausting simply because of all the pressure. 

Also, one downfall to my first study abroad program is that I did not try to learn German as much as I wish I would’ve. I did try, but I let my nerves talk me about to conversing with people because “I suck,” or “I don’t know it.” That’s okay. Sometimes you just have to try, and if you mess up, at least you tried. 

•  How do you choose where to go for studying abroad?

1. Ristorante Taverna La Fornarina: This restaurant is a little bit before you reach the top of the hill going into town. They are known for their amazing risotto, and I concur! I’ve never had risotto as delicious as I did there. I recommend their asparagus risotto; although I hate mushrooms, I also tried that risotto and it was surprisingly delicious. This is a great place to celebrate an occasion or just to go somewhere for a really nice meal. The staff here is great and super friendly, so don’t worry if your Italian isn’t the best; they will still be great help to you.
2. La Balestra: This is both a pizzeria and restaurant. I prefer their regular food, however, especially their pasta! Located not too far from the piazza or Ducale Palace, this is a fantastic place to pop in for dinner. You need to make a reservation because they will quickly fill up. Also note that their pizzeria is not open on Wednesdays, and when they do make pizza, it’s after 7:30 p.m. Try the wine that they have there, too, because it’s typically from the Marche region that Urbino is in. I’m not a huge wine fan, and I can still say that it’s great.

1. Caffe’Basili: Located right in the piazza, this was the first cafe I visited in Urbino. Most cafes will serve aperitivo (an Italian classic), so I recommend going here for that, as well as their delicious pastries and coffee. The staff here is beyond nice, and you can find any space you want to hang out. There’s space outside, in front, of the cafe, on the immediate inside, in the back of the cafe, and an outside space in the back, with sofas and a couch. The prices here are also reasonable nice, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank for a quick snack. 
2. Sugar Cafe: I might be a little biased when writing about this one cafe, but it’s my absolute favorite. Giovanni and his brother run this place, and they are two of the nicest people you will meet in Urbino. While this cafe is pretty tiny, it gets super busy with locals and college students. Giovanni is the man to talk to if you want to know any or everything about Urbino, its residents, or whats going on in Italy. He speaks both English and Italian, so have fun talking to him. I highly recommend going there for aperitivo, but if you want to stop by for dinner, let him know and he will gladly cook you something! My favorite dish of his is the potatoes during aperitivo. Everyone goes there just for that. You can find a space to sit outside of the cafe or inside.