One of the highlights of my freshman year so far has undoubtedly been the opportunity to travel abroad to London where I am currently based and pursuing my spring semester. If you’re a regular reader around here, you’ve probably read my reflections from the first week of this experience when I was nothing but overwhelmed by the change around me and the new things I was exposed to in this vast city. It is no surprise that a study abroad experience provides ample opportunities to grow, develop, and immerse yourself in a different culture, however, these shocks (even positive ones) can sometimes produce stress – a magnified level of stress since you are not in familiar surroundings with your social network.
When I first moved to London, I felt as if this experience was not meant for me – I felt out of place, the dorm seemed too small, the university seemed too far away, I did not have a meal plan and I didn’t know how to cook – it was as if I was doomed. Fortunately enough, as I’d hoped, things have changed and become much better in ways I didn’t imagine. I’ve made countless new connections here within the first month, the dorm feels so much more like home, the walk to the university helps me get boosted up before I go to class (also helps me meet my daily step count!), and I learned to cook (or at least experiment with different foods). I believe none of this would’ve been possible had I not given myself the time to accept the changes and taken care of my mental and physical well-being before anything else.
As I continue to reflect on my experience here so far, I often look back at things and think about what I could’ve done differently. Perhaps I could’ve prepared better before my arrival, or I could have networked more with people who had participated in such experiences before. There’s never an end to the list of what we could’ve done. The moral of the story so far has been that well-being has to be your #1 priority while studying abroad. There’s a lot one can do before leaving their home country, after arriving in the host country, and while staying in the new country to ensure they are making the best out of the experience without compromising on their physical or mental wellbeing.
While it is true that you should sort out your travel plans and important practicalities as soon as possible, it is also equally important that you give yourself an appropriate amount of time and space to emotionally prepare for this experience. If you are using any support networks while in your home country, it might be worthwhile to chalk out plans and make sure you have access to this network while you are away. Studying abroad is an exciting experience and it is only natural to feel the excitement as the days approach, however, it can be extremely helpful to think through the kind of expectations you might be setting and assess how realistic they might be. It is critical to keep an open mind to new things and accept the differences that might exist – a big step towards cultural adaptation.
Well-being can be defined as feelings of happiness, security, satisfaction, fulfillment, and achievement and it can mean a lot of different things to different people. There are a few commonly used strategies used by students (that I tested myself) to maintain wellbeing on their study abroad experience.
Knowing Yourself and Others
One of the most important things is knowing oneself and others, especially to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences between cultures. This is said to be a significant step towards making adjustments, overcoming difficulties, and being determined to understand new things which would help one find joy in their own way.
Friendships
The second important strategy towards fostering well-being is making and building friendships – new friendships with people from different backgrounds help one expand their individual worldview, broaden one’s knowledge of the world, have a better understanding of differences that exist between people, and be better equipped to deal with conflict.
Seeking Help
Although it is much easier said than done, asking for help is one of the best strategies for adjustment. You must ask questions, reach out when you are confused or in need of help, or simply search the internet for assistance. Seeking help (especially from people who’ve been living in the host country) can be a valuable tool for dealing with problems.
Establishing Contacts
Establishing cultural and social contacts and participating in social activities is often the best way to meet with new people and understand their culture. And who knows, you might end up making a friend!
Building Relationships with Advisors
Your school advisors are your best friends. The relationship between students and their advisors impacts the student’s overall experience. Your advisors are the most well-researched individuals you can seek academic assistance from when required. Feeling a course isn’t the right fit for you? Contact your advisor. Confused about your academic progress? Contact your advisor. Your advisor will help you make the most out of your academic experience, help you learn, and help you achieve your goals (Tseng et al. 591).
Studying abroad can be exciting, adventurous, and all kinds of fun, and at the same time it can be exhausting, daunting, and all kinds of stressful. These are the ups and downs everyone will face as they embark on something outside of their comfort zone. It is important to keep in mind that your wellbeing matters the most, no matter how you define it or what it means to you. Do what you need to maintain your sanity and you will progress well in other areas as well as enjoy the enriching experience that is studying abroad.
Works Cited
Tseng, Wen-Chih, and Fred B. Newton. “International Students’ Strategies for Well-Being.” College Student Journal, vol. 36, no. 4, Project Innovation (Alabama), 2002, p. 591–.
