Studying abroad is exciting—there’s just no other way to put it. Everyone says it’s the best time of their life, as you meet people from all over the world, gain experiences unlike any other and make new, once-in-a-lifetime memories. However, if you’re ill-prepared, you might find the transition from living with your family or in a dorm to living independently quite difficult and stressful. I was just accepted to study abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for the fall semester, so I looked up some things that will be helpful to know before studying abroad and decided to share them here!
- Choose Where to Study
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Countries are just like people—no two are exactly the same. When you’re making friends, you’ll most likely find it easier to connect with people with whom you’re compatible. In choosing a country or place where you want to spend a significant amount of your time living and studying, you’ll want to do the same, but in the form of research.
- Weather & Clothes
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Something you might want to consider is the weather. Research the climate and the average temperature of the place you’ve chosen. It’s best to know the typical weather in the area so you can pack the appropriate clothes (or go on a shopping spree) before you leave.
- Phone Plan
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This is absolutely essential when studying abroad. You never know if you’ll suddenly need to make a call at the airport, use your data for Google Maps or search for information like a taxi company. Before you travel, check with your mobile phone provider to see if they have international plans with the country you’re moving to and if it’s affordable.
- Budgeting and Finances
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This may not be something that’s constantly on your mind when your parents are around; but while studying abroad, you need to be aware of your monetary circumstances and budgeting. Just like your mobile service provider, make sure your bank knows what’s up before you leave so they don’t decline your payments when you’re buying some coffee. Some things you should be aware of—if you aren’t already—are your bank’s international charging fee, the current exchange rate between your home country and the country you’re moving to and the monetary system of your new home.
- Electronic Devices
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Phones and laptops are absolute essentials as most schools and colleges nowadays are becoming more electronic by introducing Google and other learning programs into their systems. If you don’t have a laptop, you’re going to find it difficult to type up that 1,000-word essay on your phone screen or create a presentation on your tablet. Be sure to know your school and get the appropriate electronic equipment.
- Culture Shock & Homesickness
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I know a lot of friends who experienced culture shock when they first started studying abroad, and many of my friends experience homesickness throughout the academic year. Keep in mind that no matter how much you miss home, the next holiday is just around the corner; so just enjoy your time abroad because you’ll miss it when it’s over!
- There’s No Way to Fully Prepare
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No matter how much time you spend researching, there will always be details you leave out or can’t anticipate. Enjoy the surprises as they come and find a way to persevere through trying circumstances.
At the end of the day, how your experience of studying abroad turns out is up to no one but you. You alone control your destiny abroad. Studying abroad is your time and no one else’s, so it’s up to you to decide what will make the experience most meaningful to you. Step outside your comfort zone and live your adventure to its fullest potential!