Many American college students view studying abroad as their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel extensively, immerse themselves in a new culture and experience independence in an entirely new sense. Apart from a few mundane tasks, such as visa appointments, embarking on a study abroad experience is an incredibly exciting time.
I am already on a sort of extended study abroad as an international student from Denmark — ergo, it is not my first rodeo. Despite thinking I had a robust knowledge of what American college life was like, if there is anything I have learned during my time at Tulane, it is that I was not as prepared as I could — or maybe should — have been.
Here are some specific tips for you to feel confident this fall or next spring semester, no matter what continent you will live on.
Read books by authors from the country
If you want to impress any local, casually dropping the name of a famous local author is a sure way to do so. Not only does it give you some cultural street cred, but you can also learn a lot about a country’s social norms and local traditions through literature.
A simple Google search will give you a starting point, so get going on becoming a bookworm — your future self will thank you for lessening the inevitable culture shock.
Research politics
It sounds boring and maybe even soul-sucking to sit down at your computer during summer break and research politics. Yet, when you live in a country different from your own, it is crucial to understand its political climate.
Politics impacts everything from safety to cost of living; as a visiting student, it is important to understand the basic political situation you are about to be living in.
Try to stay in your new city
A lot of American students view their study abroad experience as their one shot to see every tourist spot. While this is understandable considering how few paid vacation days most American adults get, students abroad should consider staying in their city as much as possible.
You chose that particular place for a reason, and it should be your home for the next four months, not just a base.
Leave American individualism behind
Abroad, Americans are often admired for their infectious optimism, friendliness and a “can-do” attitude. But they are also infamously known to be oblivious and inconsiderate to locals.
Individualism is ingrained in the American ethos, which tends to clash with collectivist cultures common in many other places. Try to shift from a “me” to a “we” mindset by lowering your volume in social settings and embracing local customs.
Save up as much as possible
Whatever amount of money you think you will need, double that — maybe even triple it.
Even if you are not planning on traveling much, you will likely spend more money than you think. This summer is the time to be serious about your finances so that you can be a bit frivolous while studying abroad.
Find a local newspaper online
Instead of entering a new community blindly, it is a great idea to find a local newspaper online before you go. Not only does it provide insights into local news and issues, helping you understand the area’s character, but it can also help you discover authentic community events, hidden gems and local traditions often overlooked by tourist guides.
Learn to not take yourself too seriously
Studying abroad is a truly life-changing experience. Sometimes you will love it, other times you will hate it and maybe you will feel somewhere in the middle most of the time.
There are constant ups and downs, and it can feel quite overwhelming if you take yourself too seriously. Anyone who is catapulted into a new environment will inevitably make mistakes, and you should learn to give yourself some leeway before embarking on this new adventure.