What they don't tell you about Study Abroad:
Whether you're looking for your Lizzie Mcguire Italy moment or an Eat Pray Love self-realization, there is a ton that you won't truly be able to prepare yourself for until you are in that very moment while studying abroad. From the endless scrolling of everyone's picture perfect abroad lives, sipping champagne on boats outside off the Italian coast, surfing in Australia, and even all of the Oktoberfest pics taking over your feed, it is hard not think to yourself, "is it just me?"
The realities behind it are no, you aren't alone, and I feel that it is essential to know that everything will not be glamorous and perfect before stepping on that plane, train, boat, or piece of driftwood to get to your new destination. You will never be able to honestly prepare for everything in life, but you must know that while there will be bad days, beautiful days are right around the corner.
Stay Tuned for:
Five Things that I Wish I Had Known Before Studying Abroad
1. You will feel alone:
You can be cramped into a room with three of your close friends sleeping less than 3 inches away from each other’s heads and still feel alone. Everyone experiences their self-realization journey differently. Living abroad comes second nature to some, while others, this is their first time ever stepping foot outside of their home state, let alone the country. It is ok to feel alone - and who knows, maybe your closest friend is feeling the same.
2. “Foreigner” Perception:
Does everyone hate foreigners? Of course not, but just as a small example…. it could happen where you will experience a local giving nasty faces at a restaurant while sitting next to them - upset that you aren't speaking the native language. There will be people who view you as an outsider and are unwilling to truly let go of their perceptions of who "you are supposed to be" based on the individuals' reputation in your home country. The first thing that I was told when stepping off the plane during my first study abroad experience was this:
"You may not realize it, but you do represent the United States (insert your home country here). For some, you will be the only representation that they see of our country, so it is important to put your best foot forward and show all the positive attributes you have to offer.”
3. You will Miss Home:
Whether it is missing your friends, family, pets, or even just the food, there will be times where all you want to do is jump on the next flight home for just the weekend. Adjusting to a new way of life isn't easy, and moving to a new country will be hard. This feeling will be especially noticeable if you are away for any big holidays in your home country. For myself, I spent Thanksgiving working at my internship during the day and ending the night with a Gin & Tonic at the local pub.
4. You will change:
You may not recognize it initially, or even while you are on the trip, but you will change. Your priorities will be shift, and your outlook on the world will be drastically different. Studying abroad allows you to have met people from all over the world, coming from different walks of life, cultures, and religions.
5. You May Not Like Traveling:
There is a possibility of you studying abroad and dreading every single moment of it. I had many friends who felt this way who could not wait to return home to never get on a plane again. If you feel this way, know that you are not alone and try to make the most of your time abroad.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POST!
I hope that this post helped you in any way possible with your study-abroad decision. If you have any questions that you would like me to answer, please feel free to comment below! To see more posts about Study Abroad or my travels in general, please click on the tag below: "Study Abroad."
To read more about my semester abroad and London tips in general, feel free to check out my London posts here.
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