Reflecting, a year on since moving to a country whose native language isn’t English, it’s remarkable to recall how daunting and overwhelming the experience initially was and how much stress I let it cause. What I struggled to comprehend was that everyone moving abroad felt the same – people do this regularly!
Nevertheless, the leap was taken, and there is no doubt that it was the best decision I had made in my 19 years of living.
With that in mind, here are my 5 false fears for studying abroad:
- I don’t know how I’m going to make friends. Every university has specific study abroad groups designed to help students bond.
- I don’t speak the language. While it is important to attempt to learn the basics, English is often the most used language at universities.
- The culture is so different from home. Stay open-minded!
- I want to come home, but I feel like I will let people down. If you’ve tried, it’s more courageous to be honest than to remain unhappy.
- Hard to adjust to a new university. Ask the questions. Wait behind after class. Go to support clinics. There is an abundance of support in universities.
Studying abroad is by no means easy. It takes courage, resilience, and the ability to keep an open mind.
The fears listed above are expected and entirely normal and what every single person abroad is feeling. It is the opportunity of a lifetime and, for many, it can be transformative. Who knows, you may even realise the city is exactly where you’re destined to be!
“airplane” by Kuster & Wildhaber Photography is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.