With each start of a new semester, your news feeds and timelines are clogged by students studying abroad all over the world posting about their new adventures. Behind every picture and post is a student learning to adjust to living in a new country. Although social media makes it seem like everyone is living the dream and having the best time of their lives, the truth is there are some difficulties with adjusting to living in a new country.

Whether I want to face it or not, homesickness is extremely real. No matter how excited people may have been to study abroad, the truth is you're going to miss home. You're thousands of miles away and in a completely different time zone. Learning to adjust to living in a different time zone and figuring out when you can and can't talk to people is frustrating but does get easier in time.

Living in a country with a different culture and lifestyle is also a difficult adjustment. You no longer are living a life of ease in the United States where you know your way around and where to buy everything you may ever need; instead you have to either use a map or a GPS to get everywhere to search for the necessities of life.

Countries definitely live differently, even when it comes to simple things like living situations. Here in Italy, it's common to not have a drier or air conditioning, simple luxuries I once took for granted. With time, it does get easier to adjust to the new lifestyle, while still missing the things that make life at home so easy.

The first few weeks also consist of living and being around new people. Chances are you're living with completely new people and have to make new friends. The good thing is everyone is in the same boat, but it still can be tough when you are missing the people back home. You're exploring a new country with new people, so it's inevitable not to make new friends.

Another huge adjustment is a language barrier. Although here in Italy most people are willing to speak English, it's still an adjustment and can be frustrating at times. It's frustrating not being able to speak the language of the country. Over the first few weeks, you are able to pick up some key phrases.

Although traveling seems so exciting and like so much fun, it's extremely stressful and overwhelming to plan. You never realize how many different details and options there are until you need to plan a trip from transportation to location to hotel/hostel etc. Once all the details come together and you take the first trip, it's so worth it in the end. Planning trips gets easier as you learn what's worth spending the money on and what you're willing to sacrifice on.

Another huge adjustment is the difference in currency. New money can feel like Monopoly money at first, but you quickly learn that it is in fact real money and U.S. dollars aren't equal to your new currency. When you have to pay for everything from books to linens to food, expenses add up quickly which leads to stress about budgeting. Budgeting does get easier over time though. You'll learn where you want to spend your money and where you can save money too.

Studying abroad is definitely one of the biggest adjustments in college. While it may be some of the best months of your life, it definitely takes getting used to. It may look like everyone is having so much fun, but behind every photo and happy caption, is a person adjusting to a brand new lifestyle and culture.