Tips to Help You Embrace A Study Abroad Mindset
By Saumya Poddar
I was one of those students who constantly asked upperclassmen about their experiences studying abroad. I asked so many questions about where to go, where to travel, how to pack, etc. But there are numerous things I was so unaware of before studying abroad.
Here are a couple tips to help you prepare and embrace a study abroad mindset:
The “Honeymoon Phase” Ends - And that’s perfectly okay!
It’s important to know that when you first get there, everything is so new and exciting. You’re in a new place, traveling, meeting new people, etc. But there’s also the aspect of culture shock, adjusting to a new way of life, homesickness, and minor frustrations. But that’s completely okay and very much expected. Give yourself time to adjust and find the right balance for you! It’s okay to not have everything planned out and know that not everything is as expected. Being open and flexible to change is so important and being patient throughout the experience definitely helps adjust to the entire process.
Learning the Language and Culture Takes Time
No one becomes fluent in a day! Though most big cities have many people who speak English, that’s not necessarily the case for every place. And some cities, such as Florence, do have a language requirement as one of your classes. Of course, give yourself time to pick up the language, it does take some time to learn how locals typically speak. But the good part is that there’s ample time to go out in the city, interact with locals, and get the true cultural experience. Practicing as much as possible and putting yourself out there helps soooo much!
Budgeting Can Be Difficult
Some things students may forget is factoring in currency exchange rates, foreign transaction fees, and additional expenses. It’s important to make sure your credit card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees ahead of time. And add extra room in your budget for even simple expenses like eating out, groceries, traveling, shopping, etc. For example, a simple weekend trip can add up to a couple hundred dollars, so factoring that in ahead of time is so important. It’s so helpful to save up money to spend on study abroad and traveling because that’s such a unique experience!
Staying in Budget-Friendly Hostels Isn’t Always Glamorous
It’s not always practical to stay in nice AirBnBs and hotels, so be prepared to give up some aspects of your typically luxurious, comfortable lifestyle. Even study abroad student dorms may look a little different than what you expect. As a student on a budget, a lot of times it’s cheaper to find hostels and share low-cost AirBnBs with a larger group of friends. And of course, planning ahead and booking in time always helps!
Remember to Explore Your Home Base!
Don’t forget that the city/country you’re in is also culturally and physically diverse! Though traveling to other countries is fun, set aside some weekends to enjoy with friends in the city you’re studying abroad in. Sometimes your NYU study abroad site may also plan fun day/weekend trips. NYU Florence does a great job of planning in the city excursions, as well as close day trips to cities like Milan and Bologna!
Despite knowing these things, study abroad is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences, and I highly recommend to anyone who can and wants to!