There is no better way to investigate a new place than by making a project out of it. You’ve traveled across a continent and probably an ocean to get to this new city that is your temporary home. It is a great idea to try to pursue a fun project which gets you familiar with an aspect of the city’s life, gives you a break from campus life, and stops you from getting bored.

1. Explore the best bookstores, and other stuff.

Put on your investigator’s hat and go looking for the best bookstore in town.  Take some photographs of the most interesting signage on shops. Challenge yourself to see how many coffee shops you can visit in 1 day. Have a quest to see if you can find a bird in the area that is not a pigeon. The possibilities really are endless, you just have to have an imagination.

2. Delve Into History

Get the history book out or use Google and learn about the history or background of your city. Set yourself off on a journey through a part of the city that tells you about its history through landmarks, buildings, museums, memorial plaques, even cemeteries.  Check newspapers, books, and magazines that date back to a particular time or event in the city’s history.

3. Don’t Use Public Transportation

Explore the city in a more in depth way by walking or bicycling.  Not only will you get fit but you will have an opportunity to see places that you didn’t know existed.

4. Take Up Blogging

Blogging is a great way to share your experiences. You can write about the things that you saw, how it made you feel, and by taking pictures you can really show off your adopted city like never before.

5. Learn From Locals

Connect with some of the locals and find out that the city is more than just pavements and buildings. Ask them what they like to do or what is their favorite building, park, bookstore, etc in the city.

6. Explore Local Cuisine

Explore and experience the local cuisine of the city and see what the different foods are like, and find out how they came to be defined as traditional dishes for that area.