Student Bloggers

I recently had the opportunity to chat with some prospective study abroad students about what
life looks like both abroad and while preparing to go abroad. It was a great way both to share my
own experience and to connect with other members of the community in the context of
something we are all excited about – traveling and having new experiences. Lots of things came
up in our conversation, from general travel tips to more specific worries, but I’ll share a few of
the questions we addressed down below.
Q: Were you nervous to go abroad? How did you feel beforehand?
A: The short answer is yes, of course! Studying abroad is a nerve-wracking concept, especially
if (like me) you haven’t done a lot of travel before. But there were a few things that helped me
feel less nervous about the experience. Firstly, I knew I had already spent two years living away
from home for college and had proven to myself that I could be independent. While living
abroad was definitely another step out of my comfort zone, it was a step I trusted myself to take.
So that being said, trust yourself. You are completely capable of doing hard things. And this
leads me to the second thing that helped quell my nerves: knowing it was a temporary
experience. One of the most beautiful and difficult things about going abroad is how fast it goes,
and how short the time really is. So before leaving, I knew that even if it ended up being terrible,
it would be over in a few months either way. Of course, this is not what happened, and likely will
not be what happens to you either. But it helped me to remember this as I was preparing to go
abroad. I knew I could get through four months, no matter how good or bad they were. And they
turned out to be amazing!
Q: How were you able to find a community while abroad?
A: Other international students are a great place to find a community. Start with your fellow
Arcadia peers, but if you’re not clicking with anybody else in your program, there are likely a
bunch of other international students studying where you are. See if your host university has a
society for international students. This is a great way to meet people who are also out of their
comfort zone and looking to connect. If you want to meet local students or are looking for other
places to find a community, try joining extracurriculars at your host university. I got really
involved with music at UCC and was able to connect with people that way. Lastly - give it some
time! It took me a few weeks to a month to really feel comfortable with my friends, but once I did,
those connections became some of the most special ones I have ever made.
Q: What tips do you have for traveling while abroad?
A: Personally, I was most comfortable traveling in groups or with a friend. This is not to say that
you shouldn’t travel solo – many people do and really enjoy it! I solo traveled around my host
country (Ireland) a fair bit and had a great time. But I found that, especially when going
somewhere I really didn’t know, I liked to have a group of friends with me. If you are going
somewhere alone (or even if you’re going with others), it’s a good idea to let somebody know
where you are, where you’re staying, and when you’re expecting to get back. Do some research
before going to a new destination – what parts of that city or country are known to be safer and more accepting? Are there any areas you should avoid? See if you can seek out people who
have been there before and get their advice.
Q: Did you go out a lot while living abroad? What was the nightlife like?
A: The culture around “going out” in Ireland, where I studied, was a bit different than it is in
America. Firstly, college students in Ireland tend to go home on the weekends, so if they are
going to go out, this typically happens on weeknights. This means that you have to be a bit
more conscientious about balancing class and going out. I didn’t go out as much as some other
people I knew, because I knew that in order to stay happy, healthy, and on top of my work, I had
to prioritize getting enough sleep. But I still went out almost every week, this just didn’t always
look how it does at American colleges. Often, friends and I would just go to a pub on a
weeknight and socialize for a bit with a few drinks before heading to bed. Sometimes, the
International Student Society would throw parties at nearby clubs, and those nights were more
lively. There was a big range in nightlife which I greatly appreciated; there were many ways to
socialize and have fun without necessarily partying in the intense way that American college
students tend to think of.
Q: Any other general tips for studying abroad?
A: I have two big pieces of advice- first, really take the time to get to know your host country. It
can be so fun to travel around on weekends (and something you should definitely do if you want
to) but it’s such a unique and valuable experience to make a home somewhere else. Some of
my favorite parts of studying abroad were the little routines I made, and some of my favorite
places were the places I went every day. My other piece of advice is to stay open! It’s hard not
to go into study abroad with preconceived notions about your host country, the people you will
meet, and what your experience will be like. But try to stay open to things you don’t expect
because this is where some of the most beautiful experiences come from.