By: Courtney Boone
After spending my winter break studying abroad in London, I returned home with far more emotions than expected. I was mostly tired, fighting a nasty cold and struggling to reflect on everything that I had experienced in just a few short weeks. Studying abroad is truly a once in a lifetime experience, but there are things every collegiette should know before they even get on a plane.
Take care of yourself
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Seriously. Take vitamins and start eating healthy before you even leave. Your immune system is about to get WRECKED. Save yourself from trying to find the foreign equivalent of flu medicine by investing in some extra veggies and hand sanitizer.
Sleep is essential
This goes back to taking care of yourself. As tempting as it is to soak up every free moment in another country, make sure you sleep. You don’t want to be the person dozing off in a lecture at a prestigious university.
Related: Coming Home From a Semester Abroad
Journal everything you do
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You’re going to experience so many amazing things in such a short amount of time. Take ten minutes every night to write down what you saw and did. They days will quickly start to run together. It’s also something great to show your parents when you get home to prove you actually studied and were (somewhat) productive.
Accept that it’s okay to feel scared and homesick
Every time I felt anxious someone would say “Why, you’re going to England?!” I was still terrified. I cried when I said by to my parents in the airport (they managed to hold it together). It’s totally fine to be emotional and intimidated, but don’t let those feelings keep you from stepping out of your comfort zone. You are going to another country after all. Schedule a set time to contact friends and family. It will give you a little bit of home to look forward to without distracting from activities. If emotions are truly overwhelming, talk to your professors on the trip with you about what you’re feeling.
Related: Bullet Journaling for the Busy Collegiette
Make the most out of even the bad moments
Whether you get lost on the subway, realize this field of study may not be for you or just having a bad day, truly try to make the most of it.
Collegiettes, studying abroad was by far one the best experiences I’ve had in college. Talk to your advisor and see if it’s an option for you!