Advice for Studying Abroad
Studying abroad is a daunting task for anyone, whether you be almost fluent in the native tongue or a beginner. The constant pressure of communicating in another language, and the mental strain this can place upon a person, is enough to make even the most proficient linguist shrink. It starts from the moment you leave the plane, navigating through a foreign airport and even simple tasks such as giving a taxi driver directions can become frustrating and overwhelming. However, not all is bad, and there are some simple tips to help you survive and even enjoy the great new experience that has been afforded to you.
Fail to Prepare then you must Prepare to Fail
With any new and daunting experience, whether it be a new job or a year studying abroad, it is of vital importance that you make sure you have everything in place before you head out on your new adventure. Make sure you have a basic understanding of the native language and their culture, and that you understand as much as possible about the new city you’re about to live in. What sports they enjoy, what the nightlife is like, and just what basic life is like in the region are all great places to start to get an idea of what your time studying there will be like.
Settling In
It may also help to learn some basic phrases to help you when you’re struggling, reverting to English should not be avoided but it should certainly be your last resort. If you’re finding communicating difficult, it would be best to have some stock expressions learnt that can help you get out of tricky situation. The MyJuno language app is also a great way of getting out of any predicament, where you can speak into the phone and allow the app to translate the phrase into both audio and speech form. Not only will this help you conquer any difficult circumstance, but it will also allow you to learn the phrase in real-time and hopefully mean you avoid the problem again.
Make Sure You Get the Right Accommodation
Where you stay and who you stay with will have a massive impact on the way you are able to enjoy your time studying in a foreign country. It is best to do your research and figure out what sort of area you wish to stay. Do you want to be with fellow students? Do you wish to be in a more normal area, where it is easier to interact with the local culture? Do you wish to have professional roommates or student ones? All these decisions will have a profound impact on your time studying abroad, so it is best to do your research before you set off on your adventure to make sure you optimize your own personal experience.
Meeting fellow students
Now, when you’re first starting your new life in a foreign country, something that may not be easy for everyone yet is a vital part of life as a foreigner is to make sure you are not shy. Approaching and communicating with people in their native language is a scary task, particularly when you don’t feel confident in your own abilities of that language, but the best way to achieve the goal of becoming comfortable in a new travel destination is to take a deep breath and get out onto the streets. Exchanging information with locals is a sure start to becoming fluent in their local language.
One important thing to remember as you start your new adventure is that there will be many people in the same boat as you. Studying abroad is common for most universities, with the majority offering some form of foreign placement. It would be helpful if you could find and communicate with a variety of other foreign students who are also studying in your new city. This would help you help each other whilst you try to find your way in a foreign environment, using each other’s experiences, both positive and negative, to learn and better yourselves. Advice from fellow students is just as vital as advice from online media.
However, other foreign students are not your only option. It would also be extremely beneficial to interact with the native student population. Not only will they much more knowledge on how to explore the new city in which you find yourself, they will also be able to help you with any teething problems you may have encountered as your start your time studying abroad.
It is key to make the most of all the people you will come into contact with. From fellow foreign students, to the native population, including locals that may be outside of the student bubble many learners find themselves in.
Making the most of the opportunity – Get a part-time Job
A final, and very useful tip for studying abroad, especially for those who are more fluent in the native language, would be to get some form of job or even volunteer in the local community whilst studying. This would help you to become more nuanced in the regional dialect and give you a broader understanding of the community you inhabit and the language they use. Working abroad will also enable you to earn extra cash, which is a bonus for any student, even more so when you are trying to make the most of the new experiences on offer, such as the nightlife.
To ensure the success of your time studying abroad, it is vital that you embrace the change on offer and make sure to grasp every opportunity available to you. With the help of modern technology, where going to any new city in a foreign land is substantially less daunting, you should be able to both handle and enjoy the new home you find yourself in.
If after reading this you believe that studying abroad may be something you’re interested in then check out the Prospects website, where you will find information on a variety of different countries and their study options.
