One of my biggest struggles when I went abroad was navigating how to take care of myself while keeping up with everything around me.
There were always two parts to it for me; my own personal experiences contributed to my mental health and being in a country where poverty, gender inequality, environmental issues, resource shortages/scarcity, street harassment, unemployment, sex trafficking, human rights violations, and safety concerns were such prominent and accentuated daily occurrences that it took a toll on me. I know that this was a long list of issues but the list continues on and all of this is still happening. We’re shielded from it because of how privileged we are to simply be living here.
However, after my study abroad, my thoughts are consistently with people who live in different parts of the world and have completely different lives. I have obviously heard and seen things before my trip but I think that we don’t always realize this until you really live in a different situation and actually start to develop a routine in that country. Moreover, as I said above, I had many personal experiences that impacted my health as well, such as someone from my host family dying, school, etc. This is all part of why I think it’s important to think about your mental health and what you want to do for yourself every day because it can help contribute to your wellness if you choose to go abroad. Even small adjustments where you can start implementing something that makes you happy or that you enjoy into your routine and making sure to hold yourself accountable for doing it.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or set boundaries, whether it is with your host family, your roommates, your friends, or program directors, asking for that help and support can make the biggest difference. Remember that many people in your program can be going through the exact same thing and that you guys are all figuring your way through this new experience.
Making the most out of your experience abroad can start with you being in a good place regarding physical and mental health. Furthermore, surround yourself with people who add to your experience but also recognize that you should take some alone time if you seek it.Engage with yourself and your needs if you go abroad in order to maximize your experience and make sure you are also prioritizing your health alongside the reasons you decided to go abroad. Regardless of whether you want to study abroad, make sure to do something to take care of yourself this week.