Student Bloggers

Most will believe that studying abroad by yourself in another place is the ultimate adventure of a lifetime, and it is! Also, it can be downright terrifying to be realistic, and both feelings are entirely valid. You can be excited about this new experience and feel scared, as this is a new place, you miss home, or whatever the reason! As I have struggled a bit with maintaining my mental health abroad, there are a few tips I can give to make sure that you have all the fun adventures and not let your mental health suffer for it.

• Learn to be Okay with Feeling Uncomfortable
  People will often wish you well and tell you to come back with lots of stories, but what if, when you arrive, you have a pit in your stomach that won’t go away? It seems simple, but one must identify if that feeling is because you are uncomfortable or unsafe in your new surroundings. There is a significant difference between the two: feeling uncomfortable is okay and completely natural, while feeling unsafe is not. If you happen to arrive with this anxiety and you’re not sure why, really think about your surroundings and the differences between your home and your new place, and whether those changes are the ones making you feel this way. The changes, even slight ones like having to look the opposite way when crossing a road, may be jarring or overstimulating, which is entirely okay. To embrace this new experience, learn to sit in that uncomfortableness, acknowledge what makes you feel this way, and know that it goes away with time and perseverance. Learning to be uncomfortable in new situations is how we grow!
• Take some Downtime
  Once you get to your new home, you may feel pressured to explore and travel around immediately. You should learn your new surroundings; however, remember to take some time for yourself! Find somewhere that feels like you can let go of your anxiety, whether that's your bedroom at your accommodation, a local park’s bench, or a cozy cafe. Find something that makes you feel peaceful. Take up an activity that makes you calm, like writing, coloring, running, or, for me, reading. It doesn’t always have to be all go-go-go because you could be leading yourself into burnout or more anxiety. You can still travel and explore while also taking time to relax and rest.
• Bring/Find Something Comforting from Home
  While you must explore new things abroad, having things from home that bring comfort is also very useful. It can be small like your favorite type of chips at the grocery store, or a stuffed teddy bear you’ve had for years. These connections to home can make you feel less alone if you feel lonely or homesick. It can also help to talk to family and friends from home, even just about their days, so you still feel connected and less alone. There is nothing wrong with taking comfort in the familiar and not always jumping to try the new, it has to be at your own comfort pace!
  Reach out to Others
  
  Many people will try to hide these feelings of anxiety, homesickness, etc., but it will undoubtedly make you feel worse. So many people are around to help you so that you enjoy your time abroad without sacrificing your mental health. You can talk to anyone at Arcadia Abroad about these feelings, but especially reach out to your program coordinator. You can also see counseling abroad, which is helpful to talk to someone who can be nonpartisan and is trained to help you! Talking to other students while abroad is a great way to connect because you may feel alone in these feelings, but others think this way but aren’t sharing it. Trust that those around you will understand and let them in so you aren’t trying to do it alone.

Studying abroad is an experience you will remember fondly, but you must take care of yourself abroad to enjoy this experience. It will be overwhelming and upsetting sometimes, but you must persevere (or be incredibly stubborn) to make the most of it. You are stronger than these feelings, and you can get through this!