When offered the chance to study abroad, why not take it? No questions asked. Every meeting that you have you’re told that “studying abroad will be the best decision of your life” blah blah blah. How could it not be?
It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows the entire few months you’re there. I was only told the good things about living in a foreign country. Most people think studying abroad is just one long vacation. Although studying abroad was great for me, there were times that were pretty hard. Here are a few things that I, myself, have learned.
1.You can’t go home.
When you’re at school and you feel like going home, it’s a much simpler path (a.k.a, a car ride). Being abroad, there’s really no easy way to get home. You may be feeling stuck, but hey, you’re in a different country. Might as well enjoy it, right?
2.Your phone is basically useless.
Unless you’re one of the lucky/smart few who actually buy a data plan for your phone, get used to not having one. Usually, you can only use your phone whenever you stumble upon wifi, which isn’t too reliable.
3.You understand little, to almost nothing.
Oh, good old foreign languages. You’ll wish you paid attention in all of those language classes you took back in high school. Unless you can form complete sentences that aren’t, “how much” or “where’s the bar,” you’ll more than likely be lost. Hopefully, you’ll have a map on hand. It would be in your best interest to learn what the common household items are (i.e. laundry detergent vs. shampoo).
4. It steals your heart…and your bank account.
Going abroad is like a fine bottle of wine; it’s super expensive but damn is it good. All of those cocktails you buy at the bars and the trips you book will add up very quickly. On a serious note: walking around and taking in your surroundings is FREE. Just remember to spend your money wisely (remember the exchange rate), or you’ll learn the hard way. Trust me.
Studying abroad won’t always be like a positive Trip Advisor review. There will be times that you just want to go back to America and eat your peanut butter and ranch in peace. BUT, you have to remember that you’re in an amazing place for only a certain amount of time. Every situation you might be put in where you’re not feeling your best or you miss the familiarities of home, just know that you’ll come out of it a better person. Also, you’ll have great stories and pictures and who doesn’t want that?