When Taylor Swift sang “we’re happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time / it’s miserable and magical” in her hit single “22”, she summarized what every international student has felt at some point in their study abroad journey. Many have wondered: how does anyone learn what to know before studying abroad?
Deciding to study abroad is one of the most challenging decisions you are going to make as a student. You’ll feel a mix of competing emotions, from excitement to nervousness. So let me reassure you—you’re not alone. Anyone who has gone through this journey before knows exactly how you feel.
As a recent international student myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even though I faced unique challenges of my own. To help other international students make the best of their study abroad experiences, I’ve compiled a list of things I’ve learned along the way. Keep on reading for a list of what to know before studying abroad!
Note: This article is written by Raveena, a recent international student and current employee of ApplyBoard. This article is a reflection of her own personal experience studying abroad.
Curious about other international students’ experiences? Read about Dorna’s journey from Iran, or Arabelle’s experience moving to Canada from the Philippines, in our Student Success series!
You’ll Learn to Enjoy Your Own Company
The most important thing you’ll learn as an international student is to learn responsibility and take care of yourself. You’re going to leave your comfort zone, your family, your friends, and your home to start a new life. This is not an easy thing to do—but the best part is that you’ll gain newfound independence. You’ll get the chance to learn new things, like coming up with your own daily chores, exploring a new city, making new friends, and most importantly, learning and growing with every new adventure.
Living in a new country by yourself will teach you more about self-love than any book, movie, or motivational speaker ever could. It’ll give you a chance to understand who you truly are. You might feel lonely in the process, but this is going to be one of the most enriching experiences of your life.
No matter what you decide to do after completing your education, this experience will shape your personality and make you more resilient.
Don’t Be Hard on Yourself
No one tells you how homesick you’ll be. When you leave your life behind to start anew, you’re bound to miss your family and friends. Studying abroad is hard and comes with its own setbacks and challenges you’ll need to overcome. Make sure to be kind to yourself, especially on those days that are extra tough.
Take a break, make sure you reach out to your friends and family and devote time to your own self-care. It’s okay to have bad days and work your way through them; just be patient with yourself and remember to keep moving forward.
Explore five ways to practice mindfulness as an international student in our blog to keep your mind and body in check during this exciting chapter of your life.
Don’t Lose Focus
Try not to lose focus in your exhilarating new life. It’s critical to keep your main motivation in mind when moving to a new country. Even if certain classes might be easier than others, you must take all your classes seriously. Although you’re in a new and exciting place, you’ll still need to spend a lot of time studying for tests, writing papers, and finishing group projects.
Studying abroad is not a vacation; you’ll still need to work. Finding the right balance between recreation and education is crucial to your success.
Set a Study Abroad Budget
You might not be thinking about your budget all the time if you’re living at home with your parents, but it’s a crucial part of what to know before studying abroad. It’s very easy to become overwhelmed with all of the incredible things you’ll encounter and lose track of your spending, especially for the first few months.
To best prepare for it, it’s vital to create a budget and keep tabs on your spending. A tried and true practice is to analyze your spending habits, set a budget for each month that’s uniquely tailored to you, and manage the expenses within your budget.
Maximize your student budget with our best tips to make the most of your finances!
Have An Open Mind
As an international student, you’ll meet lots of people from different cultures and backgrounds. This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to introduce your culture to people, and to learn about other cultures too! An excellent way to learn about other cultures is by experiencing them, from exploring local customs to meeting new people. Embrace every opportunity, and maintain a positive outlook while being open to different experiences.
While studying abroad, having an open mind can help you build a network of friends that will go a long way. They’ll be your family away from home, and your support system through all of the highs and lows that come with your journey.
My advice to you is to simply accept the uncertainty your journey might bring and to cling to the thrill of what motivated you to study abroad. I hope these suggestions will give you the right guidance on what to know before studying abroad as you prepare for your exciting new journey.
Ready to start your own study abroad journey? Register for free with ApplyBoard! We’re here to help.
