What difficulties will you encounter while studying in a foreign country? Check out our guide that will help you overcome your challenges.
1. Panic attack on the first night
When you arrive in the country and slowly unpack your bags in your new accommodation, it suddenly strikes you: “I’m a true international student…and I’m so far away from home.” Why don’t I just stay home and study? ?
Solution: Go meet new people! Everyone leaves their friends and family on the first night, so you already have something in common. You’ll probably be the most interesting person in the group, especially if you only live with domestic students. Also, you don’t want to be an international student who seems aloof and keeps to yourself.
2. None of your devices work
So services like Face-time, Skype, Facebook and special international rates for students should mean it’s easy to stay in touch with friends and family back home, right? Well, not always! After a long flight, your devices may be low on battery and you’ve just realized that a) you left your adapters at home, or b) they don’t work with the wall outlet. And you still need to let your family know you arrived safely or they will worry. Technology is so convenient…it doesn’t let us down until we really need it. These feel like our lifeline back home; therefore, international students can feel quite lonely when they stop working.
Solution: Check if you need to buy an international adapter (and buy it before arriving at the airport, where it will be much more expensive). Fully charge your devices before leaving, and remember to bring any necessary adapters. Set aside some money or purchase enough insurance to cover any possible repair/replacement costs.
3. Language barrier
Even if you ace the IELTS or TOEFL English language tests, you’re bound to find yourself in situations where you miscommunication or use phrases incorrectly (and it’s pretty funny). You might even have days where you feel like no one understands you, which can be very frustrating (most likely you’re tired or no one else is used to your accent).
Solution: You can’t explain every colloquial phrase or statement you might encounter because your college will be made up of students from all over the country (and from all over the world). But usually, if you do make a mistake, you’ll find that everyone will laugh it off and politely correct you. Years from now, when you look back on your college days, these will be the stories you laugh about with your friends. If you really want to improve your English language skills, try the alternatives we’ve listed.
4. Answer the same questions/dispel the same myths
Answering the same questions about where you are from can quickly become tiresome, as can correcting the same false myths about your nationality/country.
Solution: Talking about something you know a lot about makes you sound more confident because you are in a position of authority. Use these opportunities to introduce your own country to strangers; but be careful not to explain things in a condescending tone or make the other person feel stupid.
5.You indulge too much
During your first month at your study destination, everything is new and exciting, including the food – it feels like you’re on vacation, so you treat yourself better than before. You may not even know how many calories are in certain foods or products. Before you know it, your clothes start to feel a little tight.
Solution: Moving to a new country as an international student can be very stressful, so be kind to yourself during the first few weeks. However, when things don’t feel so “new,” slowly re-enter your daily routine and reintroduce whatever healthy efforts you normally make. Join an on-campus gym or sports club to meet a new circle of friends while exercising regularly.
