No doubt that studying abroad
is a process that involves a lot of planning and effort, but there are
some aspects that tend to worry students more than others. Leaving for a
few weeks, a semester, or even a year can be very stressful, especially
once the departure date nears.
However, it is common for returnees to say
“man, I shouldn’t even have worried about _____.” So if you’re about to
go abroad and feeling a bit torn up about these topics, try to take a
deep breath and remember, everything will work out.
1. Not Making Friends
Before arriving at your destination it
can be tempting to toy with the horror that you’ll be flying solo your
entire time abroad… Fear not! Students who study abroad with USAC come from over 300
different universities all across the United States. Odds are there
will be other wonderful group members that you’ll meet, travel the world
with, and reunite months (even years) after your program comes to an
end. Generally, students don’t know one another prior to their stint
abroad, so everyone is in the same boat and working to find fun people
to hit the streets with.
2. Living Accommodations
“Okay, so I know the city I’m going to,
the classes I’ve requested, and I’m done with all my paperwork… But
where will I be living?!” Don’t worry; you won’t be left out on the
streets. For most USAC programs,
students are able to request a general housing location and type before
departure, but won’t receive actual housing assignments until
orientation at their program site. The staff does an excellent job with
housing placements based upon the personal information students submit,
so make sure to answer all questions honestly! And just remember, it’s
all about what you make of it once you’re there.
3. FOMO
Leaving behind friends, family, and the
university you’ve grown to call home can be really difficult. The
process leading up to studying abroad is filled with excitement, but
when the time comes to say goodbye it can be tough to come to terms with
FOMO, the infamous Fear Of Missing Out.
The idea of leaving behind football
games, Saturdays at the pool, and going out with your best friends is
tough, but remember that you’re about to be exploring new surroundings
and taking advantage of an experience that only ~2% of US students
participate in. Believe it or not, your friends will wish they were
abroad after seeing your pictures of beautiful landscapes, decadent
food, historic landmarks, and countless adventures. And trust me, when you return home you’ll realize that nothing has changed, except you (in a good way)!
4. Not Knowing the Language
“Hallo, ciao, hola… hi?” If you don’t
know the language of your host country, don’t stress about it – you’ll
learn! You will take a language class through USAC to get the basics
down, and any extra preparation on your part will only benefit you.
While English speakers are not normally bilingual, many foreigners are.
Attempting to speak in the native tongue of your host country will be
much appreciated by the locals,
but it’s pretty customary for foreigners to know at least basic
English. As long as you’re friendly, locals will be more than happy to
help you in the grocery store, café or train station!
5. Packing/Attire
Packing can be quite an ordeal. It might
creep up on you as your semester abroad nears. As it does, the stress
may sink in; are you bringing the right amount of the right stuff? I’m
sure you’ve heard it before, but just to emphasize… Pack light!
It’s easy to over pack
when you’ll be away from home for a month or more, but bringing as
little as possible is the best way to stay under airline weight limits,
save room for souvenirs, and make your life easier! Bring layerable,
multi-use items in solid colors that will transition you from one season
to the next, good quality shoes (you’ll be walking everywhere),
and avoid multiples of bulky winter items. And if you’re worried about
standing out as a tourist, don’t be.
No matter what you do, the locals will know… they have a gift. Don’t worry about it! Embrace it, be yourself, and if that pair of perfect, locally-made, Italian leather shoes will help you “fit in”… buy them.
No matter what you do, the locals will know… they have a gift. Don’t worry about it! Embrace it, be yourself, and if that pair of perfect, locally-made, Italian leather shoes will help you “fit in”… buy them.
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Don't miss out on your chance to study abroad!
Search for study abroad opportunities with our U of A faculty, go an exchange, join a USAC program or other program provider programs in over 50 countries at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
