5. What if I am completely out of style? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

18 Very Real And Somewhat Horrifying Thoughts You Have Before Going Abroad

The thoughts you have after the 'it's a once in a lifetime experience'.

Madisson Morris
Nov 16, 2018
University of Wisconsin Branch Schools
111
18 Very Real And Somewhat Horrifying Thoughts You Have Before Going Abroad
https://images.pexels.com/photos/1516820/pexels-photo-1516820.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=architecture-boats-buildings-1516820.jpg&fm=jpg

In This Article:

Studying abroad is such an amazing opportunity and if you ever have the chance to pursue it, don't hesitate. It really is a once in a lifetime experience that you shouldn't pass up while in college. Even though it is amazing for so many reasons, there are also so many crazy thoughts that run through your head on a daily basis as your departure date nears. Here is my personal list of wild thoughts that frighten and excite me every day about going abroad.

1. How am I supposed to fit my entire life into a suitcase?

Giphy

You're telling me I need to survive off of only one suitcase of my belongings for five months? Where do I begin on stuffing three seasons worth of clothes, shoes, accessories, toiletries and mementos into one bag?

2. The classic 'Taken' scene

Giphy

Liam Neeson is not my father, so looks like I'm done for.

3. What if I meet the love of my life in some random foreign country and we never see each other again?

The. Most. Tragic. Love. Story. Ever.

4. What happens if I don't understand the language?

I fail and that's the end of it? Hop on the next plane back to the states and accept endless confusion and defeat?

5. What if I am completely out of style?

Giphy

They say Europe is like three years ahead in fashion. Is my classic cardigan and ripped jeans look not in anymore?

6. Will they ever stop making fun of my clear American accent?

Already prepared to be made fun of in a foreign language every day of my life.

7. *Imagines myself overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, sipping out of a champagne glass in silk pajamas on a balcony*

Giphy

Yeah, I wish.

8. Who am I going to miss most?

Will it be my mom? Dad? The cute boy who sits next to me in class that I've never talked to? I just don't know.

9. What if I hate ALL of the food and they don't have cheeseburgers?

Giphy

Accepting the fact that I may be starving myself for five months.

10. Will I even want to come back home?

Maybe I'll fall in love with the culture and never come home and live out my life in a foreign country by myself.

11. Who is going to take care of me when I get sick?

Giphy

My mom isn't going to fly across the world to make me homemade chicken noodle soup and my roommates aren't going to be there to give me medicine every four hours.

12. Will I be different when I come back?

Will people be able to tell how much more travelled and cultured I am when I come back home?

13. I wonder how many countries I can explore before I run out of time and money 

Giphy

I pretty much want to see every inch of Europe, so we'll see how far I can get.

14. Is anyone going to miss me?

Will my friends and family even notice that I'm half way across the world?

15. How will I leave all the incredible people I meet abroad after five months?

Giphy

I already think coming back home will be just as emotional as leaving home. I am not ready for either experience.

Is it too late to withdraw? 

I am freaking out. Stress. Finals. Foreign language. Alone in a foreign country. Ahhhhh.

17. Five months is soooooooo long 

I have to be away from home and all my family and friends for five whole months. How am I going to survive?

18. Five months is NOT long enough to be abroad

Who can accomplish all their personal goals, travel plans and become better at a foreign language in only five months?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead

Panicking and pulling all-nighters will not allow you to get an A.

The State University of New York at Stony Brook
115
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less
college
Featured

Warnings About College To Incoming Freshmen As Told By Gifs

College is hard, but you will make it through.

University of Delaware
202
college just ahead sign
Wordpress

1. You will have that special "college" look to you.

2. You will feel like an adult but also feeling like a child.

Community Donaldglover GIFfrom Community GIFs

3. You will have classes that are just the professor reading from their lecture slides for an hour.

Powerpoint Michael Scott GIFfrom Powerpoint GIFs

4. You will need to study but also want to hang out with your friends.

I Feel Like Its Been Forever Since We Just Hung Out Lauren Lindsey Donzis GIFfrom I Feel Like Its Been Forever Since We Just Hung Out GIFs

5. Coffee is your best friend.

6. You don't know what you're doing 99% of the time.

7. You will procrastinate and write a paper the night before it is due.

Ciúmes GIFfrom Keyboard Warrior GIFs

8. Money is a mythical object.

The Office Bankrupt GIFfrom The Office GIFs

9. It is nearly impossible to motivate yourself to go to classes during spring.

10. The food pyramid goes out the window.

11. You will have at least one stress induced breakdown a semester.

Community Abed GIFfrom Community GIFs

12. Most lecture classes will bore you to tears.

Big Bang Theroi Sheldon Cooper GIFfrom Big Bang Theroi GIFs

13. You will not like all of your professors.

Movies Quotes GIFfrom Movies GIFs

14. You will try to go to the gym... but you will get too lazy at some point.

15. When you see high school students taking tours:

16. You will try to convince yourself that you can handle everything.

17. Finals week will try to kill you.

18. You won't like everyone, but you will find your best friends sooner or later.

Best Scene From This Movie GIFfrom Comedy GIFs

19. You actually have to go to class.

Who Needs College GIFfrom Parks And Rec GIFs

20. Enjoy it, because you will be sad when it is all over.

Graduation GIFfrom Graduation GIFs
college gifs
Swoon

To The Girls With "Daddy Issues," You Are Worthy Of The Love He Never Gave You

You are not alone.

6777
girl with a hat
Persnickety Prints on Unsplash

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Entertainment

Why Blair Waldorf Is The Realest Bitch To Ever Live

XOXO, Gossip Girl.

Michigan State University
1512
Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

Keep Reading...Show less
blair waldorf
Student Life

11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced

Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into

Drexel University
697
too tired to care

We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.

1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.

Awkward Icarly GIFfrom Awkward GIFs

You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!

Keep Reading...Show less
freshman

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments