travel // guide to: study abroad

I am currently at the halfway point of my journey in New York. As I reflect on the past semester I have a few pearls of wisdom for anyone who will be studying abroad. 

1. Packing

All the guides online and youtube that I looked at talked about travelling light, having versatile outfits and buying the basics when you arrive in your destination.  THIS IS NONSENSE. 
Think about it, you're going away for a long period of time, bring whatever you want. Bring all those accessories you love, the heavy jumpers you love cuddling into at night, all the beauty products you use everyday. Just bring the extras in another suitcase, it's cheaper than paying the excess baggage charge.

Right up until the eleventh hour I was packing and unpacking considering what I needed to bring. I ended with the basic wardrobe that everyone was recommending I take. Then I realised that half the things I'd left I really loved and would miss wearing, I added up how much it would be for me to buy everything I was going to leave and it ended up costing more than just bring my existing clothes, toiletries and accessories in my suitcase.

2. Emotions.

Ups, downs, anti-climaxes, climaxes, feeling stupid, feeling out of place, confusion. These are among the emotions that you will feel when you're in a different environment. The thing is nothing that can prepare you for these emotions. No amount of expectation they will come, amount of research into a country and its culture, or amount of speaking to other people who have studied abroad. The only thing you can do to help is to expect these emotions, because it's better you know they will be there,  and deal with them when they arrive. 

Homesickness
Is the amalgamation of all these emotions. The best way to deal with this is to remove yourself from the culture you are immersed in and speak to people at home. Now, not everyone advises this as some say it makes them feel more homesick. However, speaking to people at home, telling them how you feel will help you realise you're looking at home with rose tinted glasses. Speaking to people that care about you will help you to centre yourself and will help you realise the positives about the environment have chosen to study in. 
That being said, make sure you go out of the house, talk to people, do activities to keep you busy. This will help you to connect with people in your new country and distract your mind away from home. 

3. Don't be surprised if you know nothing. 

A different country has different rules for small but essential things. One example of this is going to the supermarket to get groceries. Most of us can just skim the isle of the supermarket, not really pay attention and come home with everything they need. It's frustrating not being able to just grab the things you are used to grabbing and not thinking about it. Many tasks are like this, setting up a bank account, talking to new people- who may have no idea what your talking about and vice versa. Just relax, ask questions and chill, you will adapt to your new surroundings. 

4. Eat well, keep fit and sleep. 

Eating well affects you mind, body and mood. 

Source: The positive pear.

Keeping fit will help you to de-stress. 

Sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself and benefits your health both mentally and physically. 

5. Remember why you're there.

You will have an experience like no other. Even just getting to the destination and having the opportunity to go abroad is an achievement in itself. The whole process of getting to another country has already taught you so much. You're not going to be the same person at the end of your time abroad.

Add any personal experiences in the comments below. 

AK

◆ Find this useful? Subscribe to the blog ◆