You’ve purchased flight tickets, taken one last Wawa run, and packed all of your worldly possessions into a few bags. Now what? As you wander through the airport, searching for the plane that will transport you 3,500 miles away from home, it all becomes real.
Your first thought may be to panic. I can assure you that freaking out is not a good idea. While moving to a new country can be terrifying, it is in your best interest to avoid what I like to call “The Great British Breakdown.” Below, you’ll find ways to make friends, combat homesickness, and avoid depression naps while studying abroad.
- Get involved: The easiest way to make friends is to join clubs or societies that your overseas institution offers. For me, I joined the women’s rowing team. As a competitive swimmer, I think rowing will be a good way for me to stay in shape and finally develop some upper-body strength. There truly is something for everyone, so keep an eye out for promotional flyers and campus activity fairs.
- Take a piece of home along: While TSA wouldn’t allow me to take a Wawa quesadilla through security, it’s fairly easy to pack other small things that will remind you of home. Whether this be pictures of family and friends or a book you’ve read 1,000 times, these items can comfort you when experiencing a bout of homesickness.
- Explore: While some people will travel to a new country every weekend while overseas, this isn’t financially feasible for everyone. THIS IS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT. I worked my tail off at two different jobs for the year leading up to my departure, but a large chunk of that money is for groceries, public transportation, and toiletries. There are many things to see and do in your country that won’t break the bank, you just have to find them. You can walk through a local park, visit a museum that’s free for students, or find a new favorite snack at a nearby market. The possibilities are endless, so don’t spend all of your downtime watching British shows on Netflix.
- Leave your comfort zone: As tempting as it may be to hang out with other students from your home country, don’t limit yourself to that. If I only wanted to spend time with fellow Americans, I’d be at my home school in Pennsylvania. Studying abroad is a time for you to meet people from around the world and learn about their unique perspectives. Just in my first week of classes, I’ve met students from China, Australia, France, South Korea, Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium, and Switzerland. There’s a good chance that you won’t play icebreaker games to familiarize yourself with your classmates, so take the first step and introduce yourself.
- Take breaks: While you should take part in exploring and being an active member of your new campus community, don’t wear yourself out. I’m here to tell you that studying abroad won’t be exciting every day, and that’s totally normal. Make sure to take time for yourself every once in a while. Call your friends and family at home, curl up in a blanket burrito if necessary. You’ll need energy to attend lectures and push through late night study sessions. Always remember to put your needs first and recognize when you need a break.
For those of you who are also studying abroad currently, I hope you aren’t longing for Wawa as much as I am. And if you’ll be departing in the near future, I wish you safe travels to your new home. As for me, I’m going to cozy up with a cup of tea and watch The Great British Bake Off with my flatmates. Cheers!
