Studying abroad is one of the many things in my life that I have been blessed to be able to do. It didn’t come without a lot of planning and hard work, but it has certainly been worth it. I know that not everyone gets the opportunity in their life to live and/or study abroad, so being able to do so is a privilege. However, many people do get the chance to do so, which is why I wanted to make this post.
Before coming abroad (actually, before I even got accepted to come abroad), I was scouring Pinterest and the web for everything I could possibly learn about where I going to live, how to travel, and just how to be a student abroad. Even then, I feel like there are some things I wish I would’ve known before coming. I wanted to make this as a go-to guide for people who might feel a little worried or lost before going abroad. I want to give you my honest advice and feedback about what it is like to live on the other side of the world from your family and friends. I just want to be someone who can answer any and all questions you may have about going abroad.
It was almost like right when I got here, I knew I was going to make a post like this at some point, so I could help other people feel as ready as possible to go abroad. So, without further ado, here is a post about all of the advice, tips, and tricks I could give you about going abroad. I hope it helps you or someone you know have a little bit of an easier time with their experience.
*This post will be continually updated as I continue my time studying abroad and learn new tips and tricks.*
It’s not always perfect
I think it’s really important to start this off by saying that it is completely OK and normal to be stressed out, sad, worried, any emotions really, when you’re abroad. Going abroad is amazing and a life-changing experience for many, but that doesn’t mean it will all be smooth sailing. It’s fine if you’re homesick, stressed about school, having a hard time making new friends, whatever it may be. It is normal, and you are not alone in having those feelings. My friend Jadyn and I became friends pretty early on, and we were able to be open and honest with about our feelings and when I was stressed that it made it a lot easier to get through it all. Just remember that just because you see people posting tons of photos of themselves abroad on social media that that isn’t the whole story. Of course, it is great to enjoy your time there, but don’t get down on yourself if it’s not always perfect.
Research where you’re going
I was really lucky in the fact that where I decided to spend three months abroad was actually in a city I had visited before. My sister, who is three years older than me, studied abroad in Brighton, England, at the University of Sussex her junior year of college. I was a senior in high school at the time and my family and I came to visit her for a little over two weeks. During this trip, I fell in love with Brighton and new that it was a goal of mine to make my way back to live here someday- and here I am!
Having visited the place I was going before was definitely helpful, but it is not a necessity when it comes to picking where you want to go. With that said, I think that doing your research is very important before you leave. Find out more about the area you’ll be living in, where you’ll be going to school, what daily life is like there, grocery stores there, transportation there, just really everything about what you need to get through your day to day life experiences. I know a lot of people who go places abroad and then are shocked by where they’re staying or how people in the town/city react to them. A lot of the people I met here struggled a lot with taking the bus to campus when they arrived. This wasn’t something they realized they were going to need to do when they got here, so it was a bit of a shock. I did know beforehand and something as simple as knowing how to work the buses can make a huge difference when you’re stressing about other new things.
Be aware of social norms
This comes along with doing your research, but you need to be aware of social norms in the place you’re living and any places you visit during your time as well. Many countries have different social norms and you could get yourself in some sticky situations (or just generally embarrass yourself) if you’re not aware of them. For example, when it comes to dining in England, there are some norms I became aware of. Tipping is not expected of you at many restaurants/cafes. Most waiters/waitresses won’t give you the bill until you ask for it. You have to ask for tap water if you would like free water while dining. Small things like these don’t make a big difference in the grand scheme of things, but being aware of these norms just makes things easier. I would recommend doing your research in this area before traveling, just so you know what to expect.
Find out what school is like
When it comes to studying abroad, the school system can be very different from what you're used to. Before coming here, I talked to anyone I could find that knew about going to school in England so I could get their advice. For me, personally, school is very different than back home, but it is actually easier for me here than at home. There is a lot more reading involved than I'm used to, but there are much fewer assignments during the term. Most of my classes just have one assignment for the whole term, but a couple have two. Knowing this beforehand was nice because I was able to worry less and spend less time on school so I could really get the full experience of being abroad. Make sure you find out what school is like just so you have a general expectation of what you're getting yourself into. If school seems to be more intensive, maybe cut a few weekend trips out of your plans so that you're able to focus on school and get the credits you need.
Save! Save! Save!
If there is one piece of advice I could give to someone who is going to study abroad, it is save your money, and save it early. Being abroad is so much more expensive than you can even imagine. I spent my summer saving money, but I wish I had been saving for the whole year. Between unexpected costs to even pre-planned trips to food, everything will likely cost more than you think it will. Additionally, a lot of shorter-term visas don’t allow you to work or volunteer in the country that you are abroad in, so keep in mind that while you’re there, you likely won’t be making any money, just spending it all. There will also likely be some unexpected expenses you need to pay. I didn’t really factor in beforehand that I’d be paying for all of my room stuff, clothes I couldn’t bring and ended up needing, bus passes/transportation costs, etc. The more you save, the less you have to stress about money and they more fun you can have!
Be aware of currency exchange rates
My friends and I here have talked about this a lot- be aware of the currency exchange rates wherever you're going. When I'm out buying stuff, in my brain, I see £20 and I think that means I'm spending $20, but that is very wrong. I also have a friend who is from Canada and the exchange rate for her is even bigger. Essentially I just wanted to add this in because when you're traveling and it's already expensive, not being aware of the exchange rate can really hurt your bank account.
Plan trips in advance
One thing to note about traveling is that it’s less expensive the further in advance you book it. This not only goes for your transportation to where you’re going abroad but if you plan on taking any side trips, plan them as soon as possible so you can get the best price. Also make sure you look around for the least expensive flights/trains/accommodation, etc. before you make your final decision. Reading reviews of accommodations is important, as many travelers will comment on important things, like how safe they felt, so keep this in mind as well when booking your trips.
Prepare for sickness
Right off the bat when I got here, I got sick. Most of the people in my accommodation got sick as well, so it was quite inevitable. What I wish I would have done is prepare for this beforehand- taking great care of my body, fueling it with extra fruits and veggies, getting plenty of sleep, even buying medication for when I got sick and to prevent it. There is nothing worse when you’re sick then having to find a pharmacy and figure out what kind of medication you need, especially when you may not recognize any of the medications they have. Maybe even bringing a little bit of cold medicine with you from home could help you out.
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