Tips For a Successful Study Abroad
- L.N.
- Sep 11, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: May 19, 2023
Studying abroad can be a bit of a fantasy dream.
Well, my time of fish & chips, afternoon tea, and tubing around has officially come to an end.
And I have to say.. it is very bittersweet.
Although I enjoyed my summer abroad, there were a few pro tips I wish I knew beforehand. Therefore, I am writing this in hopes that you all may learn from my experiences.
Picking the Right City
Studying abroad can be a bit of a fantasy dream.
We pick a place somewhere in the world because we romanticism the culture, food, and kind of life we would have there. In reality, picking a city to study/live in for an entire semester— or even a few weeks— requires much more research than the occasional “top 10 things you should do in Barcelona” search that colonizes our Google history.
I chose London because it is a global, English-speaking city with a deep history. In more ways than one, I was and still am very happy with my choice--- but that is not to say there weren't any downsides.
For one, London is expensive.
If you end up staying in Kensington— The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea— like we did, you might find yourself biting off more than you can chew.
You have to take into account what you’re willing to spend and how long you can afford it without limiting your experience. Different parts of the city are more affordable than others; however, you must also consider transportation costs if it is farther out. Paying for an Oyster to use the tube or subway, bus, and national railway systems all factor into your cost of living when picking the right city.
For me, I budgeted $200 a week for everything and anything I would want to do. Sometimes I spent more and other times, I spent less. Having a budget and a plan is key.
Moreover, London currently houses a population of over 9 million people. The city is filled with residents from all over the world and is even more populated by the millions of tourists that visit every year.
I found myself avoiding touristy locations abroad because they can get overwhelming. Luckily, there are several parks and local hot spots that make for a perfect escape. Regardless, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to live in such a dense place--- as most fun & exciting study-abroad locations are.
Picking the Right Program
Sometimes, where you're going is just as important as how you get there.
Finding the right program is crucial to having a great study abroad experience because they’re in charge of the courses, the instructors, and— in my case— your internship.
You can read about why I chose AIFS Study Abroad in my previous blog. Quick recap, it was the only program that allowed me to remain a full-time student— exactly what I was looking for!!
Looking back, I do not regret choosing AIFS specifically but I was not aware of their partnership with others programs to organize student internships.
In my private research, I found less ideal reviews of one of their partnering programs. After my own experience, I have to agree with what I've heard, read, and seen. I won’t bore you with complaints about the details here so send me a message in the chat if you want to know more ;).
The best thing about AIFS Abroad was how well they included free, cheap, or somewhat affordable excursions, plays, and activities. I doubt I would have been able to explore as much as I did without them.
Sometimes, where you're going is just as important as how you get there.
And obviously, the studying part. I think the classes I took were as good as they could have been for such a short period. I took two regular classes--- each being 3-weeks long, and an internship course for 6 weeks—which was a little less than ideal (you can hmu about that one too… hey, a girl’s gotta be honest).
Taking Advantage of Opportunities
Studying abroad can be one of the most fulfilling experiences if you allow it. Living on your own, in a new country forces you to be a bit more independent in a way that improves your outlook on life.
That is not to say that you may not come down with occasional homesickness or imposter syndrome.
Being an ocean(s) away from family and friends can get lonely and you may feel like you’re missing out on all the fun things happening at home. Just remember that you are also on a journey of your own and they will always be there when you get back. Try not to lock yourself in your room when there’s a whole world to see— I mean, you did come all this way, right?
My overarching goal for studying abroad was to step out of my comfort zone and be more outgoing. And for a while, I kept this up. I woke up early to do my make-up every day, tried my best to be as stylish as my fellow London trendsetters, and even spoke up more in social settings.
Eventually, the introvert in me caught up to my new lifestyle and I felt a wave of imposter syndrome wash over me.
I found myself saying...
Do I even belong here?
What if I say the wrong things?
Should I react naturally or cover it up with a laugh?
I don’t have to tell you that being your authentic self is the most important blah blah blah.
Sometimes, we want to be a different person than we are at home. And to an extent, you should!! Just don't forget where the new you begins and the real you... fades.
Put them both on display. Play pretend and live in reality. It’s the best of both worlds.
Additionally, take the time to travel to other countries and cities outside of your abroad location. I had the amazing opportunity to go to Paris, Croatia, and visit other cities and world heritage sites around England!
You never know when you'll get to be this spontaneous again so take as many opportunities as you can while you're away.
You Might Have Regrets
I wish I had done more when I was in London, I know I could’ve done more.
There will be classes you wished you’d taken instead. A place you could’ve studied. Friends you would’ve made. A network you should’ve established (which you definitely should btw).
woulda coulda shoulda
Don’t get hung up over it. Studying abroad is just the start, it never has to be the end.
“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again- to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more.”
― Pico Iyer
Please leave me a comment about what you thought about this post! Did I miss something? Was this everything you needed to hear? More importantly, was I speaking your language?
#ad Join the revival with Seek Jesus! The brand strives to provide high-quality Christian apparel for believers and followers of Christ. So let your clothing start the conversation and use my code SML15 for 15% off!
A portion of all sales are donated towards several mission fields "dedicated to serve & spread the gospel around the world ".
Comments