Everyone might have dreamed of studying abroad. It sounds extremely cool, visiting new places, taking pictures in front of Eiffel Tower, uploading some cool photos on Instagram, getting new friends from all over the world, and many beautiful things inside your head. But if you see it deeper, I’m pretty sure you will say these words one-day
‘ oh.. I wish I knew these things before I move abroad’
Well, living far away from your country for the first 2 until 3 months you will always get excited because everything is new, but after 3 months and so on, you’ll realize something and find some difficulties. Here are some points you need to consider before you decided to study abroad:
- Dealing With New Culture Takes Time
Culture shock is not a joke. Your emotions will be like a roller coaster. At first, it is confusing and then you know which one is good and which one is inappropriate, the next day you do what you know but sometimes it’s wrong sometimes you succeed, and day by day you will get tired by not forcing yourself as hard as before but unexpectedly you finally succeed in this natural learning. My advice is, just enjoy the process and don’t overthink too much. People over there understand that you come from another country with a different background. If you are facing this roller coaster of new culture’s life one day, remember that dealing with new culture takes time and if you did something wrong take the lesson and move on.
2. You Feel Lonely Sometimes
In free times, some students might be busy with their own business. Either they are taking part-time jobs or studying to reach good scores. Calling your best friends is not that easy because of different time zones. Living abroad forces you to stand with your own feet. It’s okay if in your free time you have no one for having fun, you still can jog, take a walk to the city nearby, read books in the park, go to the library, etc. Sometimes unexpected new friends will come to you at the library, cafe, park or shopping center.
3. You Actually Have To Study
After the struggle, you’ve been through and you finally here, your purpose is to study and finish your degree on time. The atmosphere of studying abroad with foreign students is quite competitive. The standard your lecture gives to you is higher than you ever think. You need to survive or you go back to your home country and get nothing.
4. 6 Months Is Not Enough To Master The Second Language
Replacing our mother language with a new language and we have to use it every day, every second is a hard thing to do. You should put work on it by learning the vocabulary every day and talk with others very often. don’t be afraid of making mistakes when you are talking with people over there. Your grammar will improve automatically if you use the second language very often.
5. You Decide Your Experience
You know your time limit in your study abroad journey. Don’t waste your chance by only making friends with friends who come from the same country as you are or sleeping all day long in your free time or being afraid that you might not fit with everyone in your new country. Widen your social life with locals, get to know other people from different countries, make a short trip or become a member of a community. These activities will give you a life-time experience.
6. Your Skin Has To Adapt Too
You may get new pimples or your skin will become very oily or very dry in the country you will be living, because of the weather, the water, and food. Don’t stress too much with this, because in a few months your skin will be back normal.
Studying abroad is an eye-opening and a life-changing journey. Despite all of the difficulties, you will get so much experience you cannot buy it anywhere. Challenge yourself and go abroad!
