5 Things People Don't Tell You Your First Week Abroad

Before you read this, keep in mind this blog is supposed to help you, not scare you. When you see people post their study abroad experiences you think, “Wow that’s so cool! I want to do that!” Many people don’t tell their struggles when they study abroad. Who doesn’t? You want your friends and family to think you’re having a good time (which you will). It’s okay to be vulnerable about your experiences. It might help someone along the way.

I wish someone had told me these things before I studied abroad. It would have made my transition (and others) much easier.

1. You Will Be Overwhelmed and That’s Okay

Being in a different country is another journey in itself. Everything is new and different. I would think to myself “How will I get used to this?" "Will this ever be fun?” Yes it does, it just takes time. You will be overwhelmed by the language, different food, new home, new roommates, etc . Your adjustment will become easier once you break out of your comfort zone. This is what study abroad is all about.

2. You Will Get Lost

Getting lost makes great stories. On our second day in Florence, my roommate and I wanted to go to the market. We took a wrong turn and ended up getting lost for 2 hours! We saw the fake David, Ponte Vecchio, . To help us during our journey, we used our phones and looked for landmarks. Some other things you can do are bring a map, or ask a local for directions. Each of these things will help you adapt to your new home.

3. You'll Realize You’re Not Alone

Some people adapt to change better than others. When you start making friends, you find out that you’re not the only one feeling stressed or overwhelmed. During orientation I met a girl who was nervous as I was. It was comforting to know I wasn't alone.

4. You Start Becoming Independent

This may sound odd but let me explain. During the first couple of days I was always with my roommates. We would do everything together. Eat, shop, you name it. It got to the point where I needed alone time. For my fellow introverts, you can agree. Being alone helped me be aware of my surroundings, and clear my head. I never thought in a million years I would walk around in a foreign country alone, but I did. Now I have no problem being by myself.

5. You Will Learn a Lot

You will learn a lot about the culture, more than a book ever could. This is because you are experiencing the culture first hand. For example, my perception of Italian food is way different than it actually is. It allowed me to go out of my comfort zone and try different types of foods. You will learn the language. To make this transition easier, I screen shotted common phrases in Italian. I would make an effort to say something in Italian everyday. It’s hard and seems silly at first, but it does get easier. You will learn the outside perspective of the American culture. After a couple of days, I was almost embarrassed to see American's. Most of the time they were loud, arrogant, or rude. Now I understand why most people aren't a fan of us.

It's okay to make mistakes! I do it all the time. How else will you grow as a person?

I hope these tips helped, and I wish you luck on your adventure.