Four Steps to Making Your Year Abroad a Success
Whether you are going as an exchange student for a year, or you are doing your full degree abroad, you’re going to be introduced to a completely new location, and living there for an extended period of time. For many students, this evokes the feelings of adventure, hesitancy, apprehensiveness and excitement. So how do you make the most out of your time abroad?
Set some goals
- Before you embark on your journey, take some time to map out your time abroad, and set goals to accomplish by the end of it. Do you want to be fluent in the local language by the time your studies there come to an end? What about getting a part-time job and saving up some money for a vacation or a gift to your parents?
- You could discuss these goals with your close family members and friends, so that they are aware of your future ambitions and they can support your goals. It is advantageous to have someone who is updated on the progress of your goals, as it will help you keep track of them.
Keep up-to-date with events back home
- While you"re abroad, you may experience homesickness and miss your friends and family back home. Therefore, it"s important to communicate with them regularly and stay updated on the happenings at home, so that you haven"t missed out on much when you return.
- If you"re on a student exchange program, be sure to keep up with deadlines, upcoming opportunities, and important events at your home school.
Experience new things
- While you’re abroad, you may experience homesickness and miss your friends and family back home. Therefore, it"s important to communicate with them regularly and stay updated on the happenings at home, so that you haven"t missed out on much when you return.
- If you"re on a student exchange program, be sure to keep up with deadlines, upcoming opportunities, and important events at your home school.
Experience new things
- Don"t be hesitant to take a class you"ve never heard of before, or go to a club meeting in which you don"t know anyone! Take this as a golden opportunity to learn, and who knows, maybe you"ll end up loving it and find your new passion or hobby
- Feel free to share your newfound knowledge with others. You could share with your roommates, or tell your professors and friends back home of the new course you took. These experiences will not only enrich your life abroad, but will also make for fun conversation and fun memories.
Be energetic and engage with your new environment
- To have a successful year abroad, you should be enthusiastic and have an open mind. This means you actively seek new opportunities, and engage with the environment around you. Look for groups or clubs that match your passion, for example the trekking club, or the astronomy club. Look for events outside the school as well. There are plenty of groups you can find, such as a debate group. Finding new people who share your interests and expanding your network is a great way to connect with your location.
- If you live in a large residential hall or dormitory, you can gather a group of students to check out new restaurants, bowling alleys, or other activities in the city. This way you will make new friends, and explore the city as well!
