The day I got my acceptance email to St. Mary's University in London was one of the happiest days of my life. Since the age of nine I've wanted to travel abroad and explore the world. I had only heard good things about studying in another country and thought it would be like living in a story book for four months.
The week of my leave I was filled with excitement, anticipation, huge expectations, and a bank account filled to the rim. Little did I know, there is quite a bit to studying abroad, and living in another country, that you can only learn and experience on your own. Here are a few things I have learned:
1. Manage your expectations
I put loads of pressure on myself to make this the most "perfect" experience of my life. The last few weeks leading up to my departure, all of my friends and I were hyping up my experience and I had this impeccable sketch in my mind of how my life would be as I walked the streets of London. Shortly after I arrived and went through orientation, I realized this would not be the complete fairy tale I imagined. Don't get me wrong, the experience of being in another country is beyond tremendous, but there are realities to it that you have to consider as well.
2. Create your own experience
No one can tell you how to be abroad. As I've been here a little over two months, I've learned there are two main types of people: The ones who plan trips every weekend and country hop like crazy, and the ones who immerse themselves in the culture and create relationships to last a lifetime. You can be or do whatever you want. There are no guidelines. No pressure. You do you.
3. Drinking culture will be different
This is an obvious one, but just because you are able to drink in another country, once you're 18 of course, doesn't mean you should do it all the time. It's totally fine to get involved and go out in the beginning of the semester, especially during orientation week! But be wary of your spending, refer to number 4.
4. You're going to have bad days
No, I don't mean bad travel days (however those will happen too). I mean days where you want to give up and go home. Home sickness will hit you hard, whether it be at the beginning, the middle (like me), or the very end. Regardless, take time for yourself those days. Don't sit in your room and definitely don't wallow about it. Get up, go on an adventure, because after all, this is only temporary.
5. Don't save your papers 'til the end
Education in Europe is a tad different than America. And by a tad, I mean quite a bit. Assignments are all kind of due at once, depending on your class and Uni. Just be sure to not save papers or big assignments for the end of the term, or you may as well just move into the library.
6. Have at least one solo adventure
Study abroad is all about exploration, self discovery, and a to-do list more. Trotting around the globe with new friends and a back pack is amazing, and you will certainly do it multiple times. but something you can do for yourself that is so beneficial is going out and doing a trip by yourself. Now I don't mean spontaneously booking a trip to Ibiza alone or anything, unless you're comfortable with that, but wherever you may be studying, go catch a bus and tour a castle or explore a new town. Do whatever will light up your inner Dora the Explorer. It'll be worth it and you'll be glad you scheduled in some you-time.
Studying abroad is a whirlwind of a good time. At first I was quite skeptical of the experience ahead of me, but I could not be more grateful to be living this experience, with the good and the bad. Everyone should give it a go (if you can financially wing it) and take the semester (or year) to find out what you want to do and who you want to be. Oh, and maybe see some cool countries too.
