Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences for us young college students. People joke about the phrase “abroad changed me,” but for me, it really did.
I studied in Paris: the city of light, love, and baguettes. I went on my own, not knowing anyone when I arrived. Before I left, all my family, friends, and the Internet told me “It’s going to be the most magical experience of your life and you will be unexplainably happy at all times.”
Spoiler alert: not entirely the case. Paris truly was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, but whether you’re going to Europe, Australia, South America, or Asia, I am here to shed some light on the realities of studying abroad.
It will most likely be hard at first
Everyone is so concerned with making it seem like they are thriving the minute they step off the plane. Yet, for most people, this isn’t true. You have to remember that you are living in a foreign country with a foreign culture and sometimes even a foreign language. Unless you are Superwoman and able to easily adapt to your surroundings, you will most likely have some growing pains.
The first week or two, I missed my home, my bed, my family, my dog, and even — dare I say — American cuisine. I thought, “What did I get myself into, coming to a foreign country by myself?” The first day I walked into my small apartment, I felt so alone, so vulnerable. I longed to feel comfortable again. So, I took action.
I reached out to anyone I had an inkling of a connection with to get dinner or just to meet up. I met up with relatives that I hadn’t seen in ages. I reached out to girls in my program and ended up finding two amazing best friends.
Not only that, I learned it was okay to be on my own. I went to cafes alone to read, I went to the opera solo, I walked the streets by myself. I learned that I was stronger than I thought and that helped me overcome the fear of living in a foreign country.
You will gain weight
Not only will you gain weight, but, in my opinion, you should. I wasn’t one to pass up a croissant in the morning or bread and cheese by the Eiffel Tower. Not to mention, if you aren’t 21 yet, you will most likely be of age abroad. I was having wine with lunch and dinner almost every day. Hey, when in France, do as the French do, right?
I mean, if you are super disciplined you may not gain weight, but I was not about to let myself miss out on all the amazing French food. Therefore, my advice would be not to freak out about a few extra pounds and just enjoy the amazing, authentic delicacies that you really can’t get anywhere else in the world.
You will spend a lot of money
When making a budget for abroad, I, mistakenly, erred on the conservative side. I thought I’d just stay in every night and eat frozen food and then I’ll be careful when I travel on the weekends. Well, I was definitely wrong.
I loved trying out new restaurants and cafes. I traveled almost every weekend, which costed a fortune. I first realized this when I went to London for the weekend. We went to high tea, the London Eye, out to dinner, and to all the tourist spots. Much to my dismay, all those things cost money, a lot of money. So budget yourself accordingly, my friends, because frozen meals and staying in is truly not in the cards for you.
Remember that you’re not in a Disney movie, you’re in a real place
Before I went abroad, I pictured Paris as a dreamland of fashionable people in berets walking their tiny dogs down glistening cobblestone streets, and an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920s Moulin Rouge era. But Paris, while unbelievable, had its fair share of problems.
The Yellow Jacket Riots were going on, and there were pickpockets and homeless people everywhere. The people weren’t always that friendly and very few actually wore berets. That’s not to say there weren’t amazing aspects of Paris, but I needed to remind myself to stop idealizing it. We often get disappointed if the place we conjure up in our heads doesn’t match reality. In turn, I suggest to go in level-headed, and be surprised by all the things you discover. On my walk to class one day there were a bunch of older Parisian men playing bocce ball in the park. A woman on my street was selling warm baguettes for just one euro. While it may not have been the Paris that I’d pictured, my experience was unexpectedly and perfectly special.
Before you venture out, I would consider keeping these things in mind. I’m writing this today because I wish that I would’ve been a little more prepared upon arriving. I hope you remember that every abroad experience is different, and just because yours doesn’t look the same as your friend’s doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing. Live for the little things, make connections, and discover more about yourself. If you do this, not only will you come back saying “abroad changed me,” but you will truly mean it.