Lots of good advice here, but I'll add support/emphasis for a couple points:
1.) Check which language(s) are used in the classroom. Some schools use the local language in undergrad courses and English for graduate level. Just because the population speaks English well doesn't mean that the courses will be taught in English.
2.) Check the transfer courses ahead of time, and preferably have someone from admissions or your advisor put in writing how classes will transfer.
I spent 6 months in Holland in 2007 studying at TU Delft, so I'll add a few other thoughts based on my experience:
1.) Most people you'll encounter in Western Europe will likely be able to speak English well-enough for you to get basic tasks accomplished (get directions, checkout at the grocery store, etc.). Knowing a few phrases in the native language can earn you a little goodwill (simply being able to say "please" or "thank you" can go a long way), but anytime I tried to say anything more than a couple words in something other than English, the person with whom I was talking stopped me and asked if we could just speak in English. Moral of the story: learn a handful of nice/courteous phrases, but trying to learn the native language prior to your trip won't likely be worth your time unless you already know something about that language.
2.) Take every opportunity to travel and see various sights. Plane tickets across the Atlantic aren't cheap and you don't want to come home with a massive list of "I wish I could have seen..." without having at least attempted to see as much as possible.
2a.) The train system in Europe is fantastic and is the best way to cover long distances. I'd suggest a EuroRail pass and making use of it when you have a long break from classes. Pay attention to fare prices, though, so you don't waste a day's travel on the EuroRail pass on a trip that would have cost less to purchase a normal ticket. Some trains do require reservations and you'll want to know that before you just show up at the train station and expect to go somewhere.
2b.) I'd also suggest taking time to explore cities on foot. It's amazing how much cool stuff you can see when just wandering around.
2c.) Staying in hostels works really well when traveling. It took me a little while to get used to them since we don't have something similar (at least of the same magnitude) here in the US, but after a trip or two I came to love them. I used hostelworld.com to locate hostels and make my reservations. The reviews were very helpful as I was making my decisions. I haven't touched the site in 4 years, though, so things could have changed.
3.) Don't be afraid to consider studying in a non-English (native) country. Everyone I met in Holland spoke excellent English so it was easy to get things done, but I think I got a lot out of living within a culture noticeably different than ours.
4.) Take lots of pictures. Tourists do it here, so it's time to return the favor. But seriously, you'll want them later (even if it's years later) and you can't go back in time (currently) to take the picture you wish you had gotten. Along those lines, don't be too quick to delete pictures. Even blurry pictures can have uses and the storage space required for pictures on modern computers is rather minimal, so you likely won't need to save only the best.
4a.) Using an online photo album is great for friends/family to follow your travels. They don't want to see every friggin' picture, though, so only post the good ones (but don't necessarily delete the ones that don't make the cut to be in the album).
5.) If you have friends that are also overseas, try to find an opportunity to meet up while you're abroad. After a few months away from home it can be nice to be around fellow Iowans. "Non-accented English" sounds amazing when you haven't heard much of it for a while.
5a.) But don't be afraid to strike out on your own. Travel to and see sights that you want to see. You don't have to be with a group the whole time. Western Europe is pretty safe and as long as you use common sense you'll be fine (e.g., avoid dark alleys, stuff like that).
I think that's all I've got for now. If this spurs more questions just let me know via reply or PM.
1.) Check which language(s) are used in the classroom. Some schools use the local language in undergrad courses and English for graduate level. Just because the population speaks English well doesn't mean that the courses will be taught in English.
2.) Check the transfer courses ahead of time, and preferably have someone from admissions or your advisor put in writing how classes will transfer.
I spent 6 months in Holland in 2007 studying at TU Delft, so I'll add a few other thoughts based on my experience:
1.) Most people you'll encounter in Western Europe will likely be able to speak English well-enough for you to get basic tasks accomplished (get directions, checkout at the grocery store, etc.). Knowing a few phrases in the native language can earn you a little goodwill (simply being able to say "please" or "thank you" can go a long way), but anytime I tried to say anything more than a couple words in something other than English, the person with whom I was talking stopped me and asked if we could just speak in English. Moral of the story: learn a handful of nice/courteous phrases, but trying to learn the native language prior to your trip won't likely be worth your time unless you already know something about that language.
2.) Take every opportunity to travel and see various sights. Plane tickets across the Atlantic aren't cheap and you don't want to come home with a massive list of "I wish I could have seen..." without having at least attempted to see as much as possible.
2a.) The train system in Europe is fantastic and is the best way to cover long distances. I'd suggest a EuroRail pass and making use of it when you have a long break from classes. Pay attention to fare prices, though, so you don't waste a day's travel on the EuroRail pass on a trip that would have cost less to purchase a normal ticket. Some trains do require reservations and you'll want to know that before you just show up at the train station and expect to go somewhere.
2b.) I'd also suggest taking time to explore cities on foot. It's amazing how much cool stuff you can see when just wandering around.
2c.) Staying in hostels works really well when traveling. It took me a little while to get used to them since we don't have something similar (at least of the same magnitude) here in the US, but after a trip or two I came to love them. I used hostelworld.com to locate hostels and make my reservations. The reviews were very helpful as I was making my decisions. I haven't touched the site in 4 years, though, so things could have changed.
3.) Don't be afraid to consider studying in a non-English (native) country. Everyone I met in Holland spoke excellent English so it was easy to get things done, but I think I got a lot out of living within a culture noticeably different than ours.
4.) Take lots of pictures. Tourists do it here, so it's time to return the favor. But seriously, you'll want them later (even if it's years later) and you can't go back in time (currently) to take the picture you wish you had gotten. Along those lines, don't be too quick to delete pictures. Even blurry pictures can have uses and the storage space required for pictures on modern computers is rather minimal, so you likely won't need to save only the best.
4a.) Using an online photo album is great for friends/family to follow your travels. They don't want to see every friggin' picture, though, so only post the good ones (but don't necessarily delete the ones that don't make the cut to be in the album).
5.) If you have friends that are also overseas, try to find an opportunity to meet up while you're abroad. After a few months away from home it can be nice to be around fellow Iowans. "Non-accented English" sounds amazing when you haven't heard much of it for a while.
5a.) But don't be afraid to strike out on your own. Travel to and see sights that you want to see. You don't have to be with a group the whole time. Western Europe is pretty safe and as long as you use common sense you'll be fine (e.g., avoid dark alleys, stuff like that).
I think that's all I've got for now. If this spurs more questions just let me know via reply or PM.
