You’ve heard it a million times from your friends. Maybe you’ve even said it yourself: “Studying abroad is amazing, and it was some of the best months of my life.”As a current student abroad I can’t help but agree. Studying abroad has been a great adventure filled with traveling, new friends, and memories. But being abroad isn’t always peachy. There are tough adjustments, and although this has been the most beneficial thing I have ever done for myself, it has also been one of the hardest. So here it is: the truth about studying abroad and the five things that will inevitably happen if you choose to spend a semester in a foreign country.
- Your body will change
Whether you gain weight from the always-available delicious cuisine, or lose weight from all the walking, your body will change while abroad. This can be frustrating, especially if you gain weight, but it’s important to remember that you are only studying abroad for a few months. Don’t stress out or obsess over what you’re eating or how healthy or unhealthy it is.
You may never have the opportunity to live abroad again, so eat all the traditional cuisine you want. This is your time to indulge. As long as you walk during the day, or hit up the gym a few times a week, you will be fine, and you can always lose weight once you’re back in the States and get back to your normal exercise and eating routine.
- Your independence will grow
Being abroad will challenge you in ways that you never thought possible, but at the end of the day those challenges are the most rewarding. Being abroad teaches you not only how to be independent, but also how to appreciate independence. Being alone, or doing things by yourself, does not have to be equivalent to being lonely.
If you study abroad, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Go to museums or events by yourself. Maybe even travel solo during a free day or weekend. Learning how to be your own person and how to be happy by yourself is an important skill that will carry you through many phases of life.
- You will realize your self-doubts
Studying abroad is meant to teach you about the world, other’s cultures, and yourself. By the end of your few months abroad you will have grown and matured in many different ways. You will gain confidence in your abilities, and have greater self-assurance that yes, you can do anything. But these realizations usually come after you doubt yourself and realize your insecurities.
There are many ways this happens. Maybe you don’t click with your new roommates, or maybe you go through intense culture shock when you first arrive. Either way, you will go through challenges. Take these in stride, believe in yourself, and realize that obstacles make you a stronger and better person.
- You will get homesick
I’ve seen a range of homesickness among the study abroad students in my program, and also within myself. I’m not one who gets homesick easily, and I love living in Italy, but I will admit that I do have days abroad where all I want is a hug from my parents, to get Starbucks with my sorority sisters, or go for a walk with my dog. It’s natural to feel homesick, and the intensity of it may be higher than what you originally anticipate.
My best advice to combat homesickness abroad is to recognize it, accept it, and then do something about it. Do what you need to do to feel better. For some this means FaceTiming their loved ones back home, going out for the night, or lying in bed watching Netflix. What helps me is to remind myself of the things in Italy that have made this place another home. These include being a regular at the coffee shop near my apartment, practicing the language with locals, and taking in amazing views of the city. It’s ok to miss America, but remember to make your new surroundings “home” as well.
- You will gain new outlooks
America is one of the most amazing countries in the world, and I am even more grateful to be an American now than I was before I left. But I am also grateful for the fact that in Europe I have been exposed to different ideas, politics, and people that are completely different from America.
This exposure has tested my beliefs, made me reevaluate how I look at the world, and has made me a less judgmental and more understanding person. I may not agree with everything I have seen or heard abroad, but I can now appreciate different thoughts and opinions of others without thinking that my ideas are better or “more correct” than theirs.
All in all, studying abroad is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I highly recommend it to every college student out there. It does come with its challenges, and it will stretch you physically, mentally, and emotionally, but studying abroad is an experience like no other. Tears and stress may come along with it, but adventure and joy are always right around the corner.