What they don’t tell you about studying abroad

Many students have an ideal image of what studying abroad looks like. But anyone who has done it will tell you that the reality can be disappointing at times. You might be wondering…

Is studying abroad worth it?

Like anything else, studying abroad comes with its bad and good, but no one really warns you about the bad.  

We’ve broken down some of the most common disadvantages of studying abroad—and some tips to help you get ahead of them. Whether you are planning to study abroad or already packed, this is the insight you’ve been looking for. 

1. Language Barriers
2. Budgeting while studying abroad
3. Feeling out of place while abroad
4. Adjusting to the weather abroad
5. Homesickness & FOMO
6. Feeling alone while abroad
7. Impostor Syndrome
8. Saying Goodbye

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Language Barriers

Struggles with communication are hard to avoid when studying abroad, but it gets even harder when you go out exploring your host city. Unlike in an international school environment, people may not expect you to make mistakes or even have an accent.

You might have to repeat your coffee order five times before the barista understands you. Or you might have trouble navigating because you can’t read, understand, or pronounce the street signs. Even if you have a high level of English, regional accents and dialect can complicate things.  

This can become very frustrating over time, but it happens to everybody—it’s not your fault if you can’t pronounce “Leicester Square”. 

Solution

Don’t panic and don’t let these moments deflate your confidence. Here’s what you should do instead: 

• Do not hold back: An international school is the perfect social environment for language learning. Take the opportunity to practise English and make some friends along the way. Remember that everyone has their own accent and makes mistakes—even fluent speakers! 

• Focus on the basics of learning English: Don’t expect to be on a new level immediately. Learn some essential English questions for when you’re outside of class, and don’t be afraid to speak to locals. 

• Use every resource at your disposal: Along with your lesson materials, there are plenty of online language tools you can turn to for help. While it’s okay to use a translation app when you’re alone and feel stuck, it’s important not to become too dependent on them.

Budgeting while studying abroad

Everyone knows that studying abroad comes with expenses, and that’s before you even go abroad. 

The good thing is your tuition, travel, and accommodation are the worst of it. It gets a lot easier once you can finally begin budgeting for your day-to-day expenses, like groceries and transport. But it’s not exactly smooth sailing from there… 

The reality is you will probably go over your budget in the first few monthsーit happens. 

It’s only natural to want to go out and experience your learning destination. Especially in that first month, it becomes so easy to justify spending money just because you’re abroad. 

Having a monthly budget plan is a great way to manage your spending, but you can’t predict every expense ahead.  Even if you carefully plan out every meal of the week, you might still be surprised by the number on your receipt at the supermarket.  

Solution

Trust us when we say that depriving yourself is not the solution—neither is going on a diet of instant noodles until your exchange programme ends. 

Just remember that it happens to the best of us. It doesn’t mean that you planned badly, or that you’re bad with numbers, but if you are, you can always reach out for help. 

Here are a few budgeting tips to keep in mind: 

• Think long-term: £2 bus tickets may sound cheap, but that quickly adds up over time. Make sure to get a bus/subway pass as these will help you save on tickets. 

• Set some ground rules: Having rules like ‘Only get food delivered 3 times a month’ works wonders. The challenge is following them, but you can do it! 

• Student discounts are your friend: From train tickets to restaurant meals, there are plenty of discounts available for students globally. Always keep your student ID on you and take advantage of them! 

Feeling out of place while abroad

Adjusting to the customs and way of life in a new country can be overwhelming. You might feel disoriented as you take in the physical and social differences; this is called culture shock. 

You might feel out-of-sync with your surroundings for reasons you can’t pinpoint. This is because the simplest social norms can vary from culture to culture, like table etiquette or the way people cross the street. It can even be something as simple as the difference in architecture or natural areas. 

That said, culture shocks aren’t necessarily a bad thing. They expose us to different perspectives and make us challenge our own. You just need to be ready for them!  

Solution

The best way to feel more at home in your host city is simple: Live like a local… 

• Start taking part in little rituals locals do, even if you do it alone. Go for a 5 à 7 if you’re studying in Montreal, or have a picnic along the Charles River Esplanade if you’re studying in Boston. 

• Keep an eye on the cultural events calendar and attend some local festivals. It’s a great way to integrate and learn more about the culture of your host city. 

• What you might consider normal or harmless at home can be a crime in another city. Be aware of your host city’s laws, as breaking them has more severe consequences than some judgemental looks.   

• Get out of your international bubble and talk to some locals. No one can point you in the right direction like a local, whether it’s restaurant recommendations or literal directions!  

Adjusting to the weather abroad

It might not sound like a big factor, but the climate of your host city can have a huge effect on your mood. It’s one thing if you’re going to be in your host city for 2 weeks, and another if you’re going to be there for several months. 

If you are used to a cold climate, learning English in a hot country in the peak of summer will be an adjustment. Along with temperatures, the seasons can affect the amount of daylight during the waking period.  

Some of the most renowned cities in the world, like London and New York City, are known for having gloomy weather—the kind that causes SAD, or seasonal depression.  

Solution

Does this mean you shouldn’t study in these cities? Of course not!  

1. It’s not just the cold—heat can also cause agitation and even physical symptoms. 

2. There are ways to counter SAD, like walks for sunlight exposure, light exercise, or vitamin D supplements. 

You’ll be fine if you know what to expect and mentally prepare yourself.  

How? By researching the climate beforehand. 

• Weather forecasts: Keep an eye on the weather reports in your host city during the months (or maybe even the year) leading up to your exchange programme. 

• Seasonal changes: Did you know that summer in South Africa is between December and February? Did you know that the sun sets as early as 4 pm in the UK and Ireland in winter? 

• Weather survival tips: Know what to expect and what to pack for the climate in your host city. It’s also wise to pack for unexpected weather conditions if you’re studying abroad for a long period or during an unpredictable season.  

After you’ve done your research, it’s important to reflect. Some people can adapt to a lack/excess of sun, and some people can’t. Your English learning journey in Dublin can always wait until spring or summer if 4 pm sunsets are a dealbreaker for you. 

Homesickness & FOMO

This sums it up perfectly.

At some point, you will start to feel homesick; stressed and sad about being away from home. Homesickness goes hand in hand with FOMO (Feeling of Missing Out). 

There will be Friday nights that you spend at home while your extended family gets together to celebrate a cousin’s birthday. You’ll open group chats to catch up with your friends from home and find them planning a picnic for the weekend—it won’t feel great. 

Maybe you’re eager to leave your hometown and try something new, but homesickness can sneak up on anybody. It isn’t just about missing people or routines. You can even miss the physical environment; the architecture, the natural landscapes…  

And sometimes, you will miss the simplicity of preparing a meal in your own kitchen. 

Solution

So, how do you deal with homesickness when studying abroad? 

• Schedule regular calls: It may feel like an unnecessary extra step, but securing time to speak to your family/friends is worth the effort.  

• Home is waiting: Find comfort in knowing that everyone and everything you miss will be there after your study abroad journey is complete.  

Feeling alone while abroad

It can be so easy to isolate yourself when you’re having a hard time, even if it’s in another country. Maybe you just can’t get used to the city’s lifestyle, or the weather makes it hard to even step outside. 

The most important thing is building a support network to get through it, but it’s easier said than done. We all fantasise about having a cool group of friends to make memories with abroad, but not everyone finds their people immediately. You might even get FOMO from your own classmates, who seem to be having a better time than you.  

Solution

We can tell you to speak to your classmates, but truly, finding friends on an exchange is often about being lucky. That doesn’t mean it’s totally out of your control!  

Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• It’s not just you: There are plenty of other international students who feel the same way, who want someone to sit with in class and hang out with on weekends. Join your school’s events or clubs and get a conversation going. 

Check out these conversational English tips. 

• ‘The phone works both ways!’ Ever heard this English phrase? It means that keeping a connection is up to both people. Reach out to people you speak to in passing—you never know what can happen. 

• Go out on your own: There’s zero shame in going out alone. Some people prefer their own company, but even if you don’t; You’re in a new city—it’s better to explore it alone than not at all. 

Mental health struggles are common among international students, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. If it ever escalates, you should seek out help from your institution’s student guidance counsellors or equivalent. 

Impostor Syndrome

Over time, all these negative factors can give you Impostor Syndrome; a sense that you are not capable or deserving of a study abroad experience.  

You can start to think that you aren’t smart enough for your course, or that you’re not the kind of person who can live abroad. Suddenly you’re only going out to attend class and buy groceries, wondering if studying abroad was the right choice for you.  

Solution

It can be very easy to sink into this feeling, but there’s absolutely no reason to. Keep in mind that everyone’s study abroad journey is different.  

• Set routines: Following a routine helps you regain a sense of stability, organise yourself, and settle into your life abroad. 

• Accept the lows: Things don’t always go as planned. There’s a limit to the things we can fix, but the AC that you could never get to work will be a funny story one day! 

• Don’t forget the highs: Celebrating the small wins of each day and acknowledging your accomplishments will help you stay positive. 

Saying Goodbye

When your study abroad journey comes to an end, you will find that it’s hard to say goodbye.  

It’s a lot like when you first leave home to go live in your host city, but without the comfort of knowing that you will return to it eventually. Some students can experience a reverse culture shock, as they readjust to their home environment.  

Solution

So, how do you say goodbye?

For better or worse, you’ll probably never live in the same apartment again, but the entire city will be there waiting if you ever decide to come back. Until then, do whatever you can to return home with as few regrets as possible. 

You may never see or speak to the friends you made again, but it doesn’t have to be that way (again, the phone works both ways). And if it does, you will always have the shared memories tying you together.  

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Conclusion

The truth is studying abroad won’t solve all your problems. In fact, it might even create some more. So what? It’s a formative experience that develops you and teaches you so much about yourself. 

Moving your life abroad is never going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still worth it. Whether it’s learning English, getting a degree, or just experiencing something new, stay focused on your goals.  

Always remember that you chose to study abroad because you’re after something that you can’t get at home. Make sure to go out and find it! 

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Interested in Learning English abroad? Check out EC English’s 17 school destinations spread across 7 countries and 4 continents!