The Stuff No One Tells You About Study Abroad

Going abroad is indeed as terrifying as it seems, whether it is for a month, a semester, or a full calendar year. There are aspects of studying abroad that are just as scary as they are exciting. No matter how much you prepare for it, there will be things that jump out at you. But that is part of the experience, and proof that you will emerge from it with valuable, newfound knowledge. Even if I cannot fully prepare you with this blog post, it might serve you well to call back to. Here are five things you should keep in mind before going abroad:

1. It Won’t Always Be Easy

A lot of what you see on social media is an exaggerated version of how well things are going while abroad. Do not get me wrong, you will have some of the best days of your life, but you will also have some of the worst days, going well beyond any feelings of homesickness or culture shock. Sometimes, they will just be bad for the sake of being bad. A number of things could contribute to this all at once. While everyone’s experiences differ, you will undoubtedly struggle in your time away from home, in an entirely new place. You will learn to quickly adapt and adjust to unusual surroundings, as well as having to form new relationships. But you will be stronger because of it, so do not let this deter you from making that decision. I guarantee you will come out of this experience a changed person for the better, so go and do it!

2. Save, Save, Save!

However much money you have got saved for your time abroad, there is a good chance it probably is not enough… if you are anything like me, you are a bit of an impulsive spender. When I went abroad, there were a bunch of costs that sprung on me, especially travel costs. Yes, some airlines are cheap such as Ryanair or Easyjet, but sometimes there will be additional fees that trip you up. Be sure to make a budget sheet as soon as possible and update it as much as you can while you are abroad. It will save you a lot of effort and money in the long run—you should not have to spend all your time abroad worrying about finances!

3. Get an eSIM ASAP

While I am sure you have been made aware of this if you are relatively deep in the application process, there are nuances to getting an eSIM for your phone that I had no idea about. Firstly, if your phone is not fully paid off, you cannot obtain an eSIM. Secondly, whichever data company you use in your country will skyrocket in price as soon as you leave. Some may have lower rates than others, but if you are unprepared (like I was), it will be incredibly difficult to change your plan while you are abroad. Be sure to contact your company for different student/international plans if you are not purchasing an eSIM. Alternatively, you can purchase a burner phone while you are abroad to use for calls and messages. It is your next best option if your phone is not paid off. Definitely dedicate a good chunk of time before going abroad to sort out your phone’s service plan!

4. Sign Up For Club Cards/Loyalty Programs

If you are staying for a semester or year abroad, I would strongly suggest getting club cards for supermarkets. If you are based in the UK, this would be for stores such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Boots. You will receive a lot of discounts for grocery runs, as well as great deals and rewards you would not be able to access otherwise. You can sign yourself up for a club card, or you can do what I did and find a random person’s card on the internet and use that… unethical, maybe, but it will help you skip those pesky subscription fees (some of them are relatively cheap, though). 

5. Soak Up Every Single Moment!

I know I have delved into some hard truths thus far. But arguably the most important thing to remember is to live in the moment and know that this is truly a once in a lifetime experience! Cherish and capture every single experience, even the bad ones. Make the most of every second and remember that you are not ever alone; plenty of people and resources are there to support you every single step of the way!

I know I cannot cover every possible issue you might encounter during your time abroad, but these are the main ones that I want to be sure prospective students are aware of. Of course, if you have any questions, Arcadia Abroad is here to support you on your journey. Do not be afraid to reach out! You can also contact me: emma.n.davidson@icloud.com for any extra advice, or if you simply need someone to talk to. Best of luck to you!