I am currently writing to you from Rome, Italy! I am studying abroad this semester through a program called the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), and this semester so far has been absolutely amazing. I wanted to share with everyone what life is really like studying abroad.
You are now in a different country — Everything is different
This is literally so big, though it seems simple enough! If you’re studying abroad, obviously the goal is to be in a different country, but it is so easy to forget what goes along with that. People are the same everywhere; they get up and go to work or school each day, buy groceries, go shopping, etc., but being somewhere else is going to feel really foreign. Culture shock is real. Language aside, the currency is different, transportation is different, culture is different, you have to pay for water when you go out to dinner, you don’t have to tip, and they don’t have dryers here! It is so fun to immerse yourself into a new culture that differs greatly from your own; be open to embracing something new! Going abroad comes with challenges and quite a big learning curve, but thinking in terms of it providing new opportunities and exciting new perspectives can definitely help.
Your money will run out
This tip is coming from me personally as someone who is rather quickly running out of money while abroad. If you’re even thinking of a study abroad, save up! It’s not so much that it’s unbelievably expensive to study abroad, but it’s more so that there are going to be many exciting, unexpected trips or experiences that really can end up draining your bank account. Budget. Budget. Budget. You’ll regret not budgeting your trip and setting aside funds for spontaneous adventures and last minute dinner dates, because these experiences really shape your study abroad and make it an unforgettable experience.
Be open to new experiences
Speaking of spontaneous trips and unexpected experiences, study abroad is really about embracing the unknown. There are going to be so many unexpected turns and situations, and you really just can’t plan for them all. I know personally, as someone who is a “planner”, it’s been challenging to go with the flow and go along with a new group of friends. It was even hard to go into this study abroad without planning all my weekend trips ahead of time, but I think really wanting to gain new perspectives and challenging yourself can definitely help encourage you with any difficulties that new, unknown experiences may bring!
Missing home will happen, and it’s totally okay
Being away from home can definitely make you homesick. I have started to miss so many things about America that I did not expect. I have never wanted In-N-Out more than while I’m studying abroad in Italy! It’s really cool to have a newfound appreciation for American norms, but it can get tricky being homesick. Staying in touch with friends and family can help with homesickness, but also knowing it’s normal to miss home can feel comforting.
It’s important to balance travel, academics, and sleep
Studying abroad typically means visiting new countries and exploring other cultures and cities. Depending on the program you choose, classes can be hard and demanding. The program I am in requires attendance and has three hour long classes. It’s important to put school first, but don’t put travel on the backburner; it’s so important to explore while you’re abroad. Time management is an important lesson to learn while abroad because you will have to plan trips on your own and decide where to go and when. Find a good balance of going to class and studying, traveling the world, and getting enough sleep because there is nothing worse than getting sick while you’re abroad.
It’s clear that studying abroad, moving to, and living in another country comes with a large amount of challenges, but it can be an incredibly beneficial and fun experience that will teach you so much. I think everyone should study abroad because it truly is such an amazing experience that you can only do once in your life. Be sure to embrace challenges, knowing they will shape you as a person and teach you so much, because that really will help make the process easier.