Studying Abroad

Oct 3, 2017
3 min read

Are you currently starting your second or third year of college and hesitating on going abroad for a semester or a year? I would say DO IT!! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm currently starting my autumn semester in London and so far I love it!!! If your university offers you the opportunity to do it, try it or at least apply and you could always say no at the end but if you don't apply and you end up wanting to go, it'll probably be to late.

1) Apply even if you're uncertain

So as I mentioned before, it's better to say no at the end than regret that you didn't fill out the application on time. Yes, the application takes quite a while at least in my university where I had to go to mandatory meetings, pass an English exam (IELTS), find courses in the university that I wanted to attend and make sure that they could work as equivalents to the courses I would've taken back home, get them approved and the list goes on and on. The whole process will be over before you know it and you'll have an incredible chance to go study somewhere else!

2) There are ways of financing

Check out what scholarships your university offers you because most of the times the university encourages its students to go study abroad and for that they give students different scholarships. I'm sure you'll find out different types of scholarships even if it's for paying your airplane ticket, you'll always find something.

3) Great opportunity to explore

Studying abroad is the best opportunity you'll have to explore the countries that are nearby. Especially if you study in Europe, there are a lot of low cost airlines and you'll be able to explore new places and meet new people.

4) Don't let the fear of not knowing anybody hold you down

I know it can be scary to move to a new city where you don't know anybody but be sure to attend your university's welcome week because everybody will be in the same situation as you. You'll see that when everybody is new and kind of lost, people tend to be very friendly and welcoming. Even if it's your welcome week and you're meeting people that you'll probably never see again (maybe you'll end up finding your closest friend) it's good to have company and to know you're not alone on your first days.

5) Don't be shy

This was/is the hardest for me because I AM shy but what I do and actually works for me is that I pretend that I'm playing a role on a movie/TV show/ Theater play or whatever you like, where the character is a very bubbly and outgoing person. So talk to people, introduce yourself, don't hesitate to be the first one to start the conversation because most likely the person who's next to you wants to talk as well but doesn't know what to say.

6) Enjoy

Enjoy being in this new country, try to walk a lot, to explore different parts of the city, meet people, learn how different/similar the university you're attending is compared to your home university and join different clubs/ societies or do activities outside of your university to meet people from different places!