In the weeks leading up my flight to Denmark to study abroad, I was anxious. Butterflies would be one way to describe it. Overwhelming terror (mixed with a little bit of excitement, of course) would be another. And that’s normal: That’s what happens when you force yourself to step so far outside of your comfort zone that you’re on a completely different continent. But if it does anything to put your mind at ease, my fellow Juniors-Going-Abroad-Next-Semester, I can tell you that all the nervousness about the little things will fade away when the absolute wonderfulness of the experience starts to sink in. Here are some words of wisdom to counter some of the main pre-departure jitters you may have:
1. Getting There
Even as “adults,” the only experience most of us have with foreign airports involves following our parents around as they do all the real navigating. Going about it on your own for the first time can be a little bit daunting, but I can tell you from experience it’s not all that bad. It took me three flights (and three times through security) through a total of four airports (including two foreign airports), but I made it to Copenhagen! Even figuring out what to do when one of my bags didn’t show up on the carousel was surprisingly easy: there are always plenty of people around to help you.
Once you make it through the arrivals gate, you’ll undoubtedly be greeted by representatives from your study abroad program. They’ll help you figure out how to get to your new home where you can get settled in. This welcoming crew should know what they’re doing and they definitely know that you’re going to need some help initially getting adjusted.
2. Communication
I can’t say communicating abroad will be easy as it is at home, but you will get by. I have my iPhone here that I use to connect to Wifi to talk to people back home and a Samsung phone (which I’m pretty sure is from, like, 2003) that I use for texting and calling people here. In terms of communicating to the people around you, keep in mind that most people (at least in Europe) can speak at least a little English. So, wherever you go, there will be someone that understands you and can help you if you need.
When it comes to talking to family and friends back home, Skype and FaceTime are essential. And while I’m sure your mom and dad will want to be in touch as often as possible, try not to cling too much to the people back home—you’ll miss out on getting to know the locals and might become even more homesick.
3. Feeding Yourself
I guess I have this one pretty easy because I live with a host family and my host mom makes the best food in Copenhagen. (Actually though, she was featured in a cookbook as the best baker in Copenhagen. I’m being fed really well.) While I get three meals provided everyday, however, those of my friends living on their own have to do their own grocery shopping and cooking, which is turning out to be a great learning experience for them. They have to budget themselves and plan ahead, which isn’t necessarily easy, but that’s what the life of a 20-something is like!
4. The Living Situation
Just like freshman year of college, living situations abroad can be hit or miss. I had signed up to live with a host family several months before starting my program, but didn’t know specifics about where I would stay until 10 days before I arrived in Copenhagen. It’s turned out to be a perfect fit! It felt a little weird to move in with strangers, but living in a new environment is a good change of pace and opens you up to opportunities you’d never have in a dorm at Kenyon. And, if the worst-case scenario happens, you can always talk to your program’s housing office about moving if something isn’t working out.
5. Fitting in with the Locals
Whether you’re abroad for a semester or an entire year, you’ll never feel like you have enough time to totally immerse yourself in local culture. Take in as much as you can while you have the chance. Do what you can to learn the language and social norms—people will appreciate the effort and it’ll make you stick out a little less…and you’ll have more fun!.
6. Asking for Help
Asking for help is a lot harder than giving help. Trust me, I spent my first week here getting lost and I know that approaching someone for directions can make you feel like a nuisance. But I’ve found that people are almost always more than willing to help. So whether you are in fact lost or confused about the train schedule or just looking for a good place to get coffee, don’t be shy!
Most importantly, remember that you’re not alone and the issues we find ourselves overthinking are the issues that study abroad programs deal with nearly every day. You have to accept the fact that you’re going to be outside of your comfort zone, but trust me, it’ll all be worth it. So, get out there and get exploring!