Studying abroad for college can be exciting, yet also tricky to properly adapt to. Not only will you be studying at a college or University far from home, you will also be needing to acclimate yourself fully to an entirely new country with new cultures and ways of life. You must do all of this while maintaining your grades at a high level and fulfilling your college responsibilities. None of this is impossible, but as you will be juggling a variety of different responsibilities at one time, certain tips can help tremendously to ease this entire process.
How to Best Prepare for Studying Abroad
When preparing to receive your education abroad, there are a wide range of tips that can help prepare you for making a smooth transition. The first thing that you should do the moment you’ve decided on which country you’ll be studying in, is to read up fully on everything there is to know about that country. Find out about crime rates in the city you’ll be living in, and make sure to understand some of the most basic laws. As anyone in an USC online LLM program should know, you don’t want anything to jeopardize your stay in a foreign country, particularly a simple mistake that merely happened because you didn’t know any better.
If you have any prescriptions you need to take for a medical condition, make sure to bring a few months’ worth with you when traveling to your new home, as well as your prescription. You must first make sure the prescription drugs you are using are legal in the country you’re traveling to. One thing to keep in mind no matter where you are living, is that it’s essential you always keep your personal belongings close by and within reach. For instance, those that have a purse should keep it strapped around their shoulder or sitting in their lap wherever they are, while other carriers like wallets and backpacks should be tucked away and kept close.
How to Adapt to a New Country
Moving to a new country can be a huge culture shock to anyone, even if it’s a country that’s still relatively similar to the one you’ve lived in before. Every country has its own traditions, which can make it tricky to adapt quickly. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be too difficult and shouldn’t take too much time if you follow a few tips and guidelines. For starters, it’s essential you know all of the traffic and road signs for the country you’re going to be living in. These will differ from the country you lived in previously, and you put yourself at risk of getting into an accident by not learning them.
If the country you’re moving to speaks a different language, it’s recommended that you learn at least a few common phrases, as they will help greatly in everyday life.
Lastly, it’s important to simply understand that you will face difficulties. By accepting this and properly anticipating these difficulties, you will be prepared to adapt and adjust to living in a new country in no time.
Understanding Your Educational Program When Studying Abroad
When traveling to a new country to study, make sure you know every detail about the program or host institution you have chosen. It’s important to be aware of all of the program requirements and learning opportunities you will be tasked with when studying abroad. For instance, if you are currently studying law and want to do so abroad, make sure that the program you are entering provides credit towards a J.D. degree for study abroad. Don’t be surprised by new information last minute, make sure you’re ready to face anything.
As long as you follow the aforementioned tips for studying abroad, and do your best to adapt to your new home, you will find that doing so provides many more opportunities you couldn’t have possibly imagined. These moments are the ones you will never forget.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
