Studying abroad is a highly rewarding experience that hundreds of thousands of students choose to undergo every academic year.
Moving to another country opens up the door to a number of incredible opportunities that you might never be able to access if you study in your home country. You can meet people from a range of backgrounds, make lifelong friends, immerse yourself in a unique culture, and develop essential life skills.
To ensure that you enjoy your time studying abroad, you will need to be physically and mentally prepared for your big move. Below, we have covered some top tips to ensure you have a smooth transition into your life as a foreign student and enjoy every moment.
Make Sure You Arrange Health Insurance
Health insurance is essential for a safe and healthy time studying abroad. It enables you to access international healthcare services, such as hospitals and smaller community clinics if you ever need them as an expat.
You never know when you might fall ill or sustain an injury during your time studying abroad, and organizing health insurance before you move ensures you can get immediate medical attention. You can also access the same prescription medications that you take at home for pre-existing chronic health conditions and emergency medical care if you end up in a difficult situation.
You can add extra things to your health insurance if you need specialized treatments or therapies, such as mental health and dental services. Your health insurance provider will subsidize the costs of your medical bills, so you don’t need to part with thousands of pounds for routine or emergency treatments.
Put Yourself Out There
It can be scary to put yourself out there and speak to people you don’t know. However, doing so is essential for making new friends and settling into your life as a student studying abroad.
Find ways to put yourself in situations where you’re forced to speak to new people. Join a society at your university or participate in college socials. Sign up for the local gym or running club, where you can meet like-minded individuals and make new lifelong friends.
Be as friendly and approachable as possible so other students feel comfortable striking up conversation with you. A single conversation could be start of a blossoming friendship!
Embrace Cultural Differences
Moving abroad can lead to culture shock, which refers to the challenges that people can face when they’re living in an area with an unfamiliar culture. If you’re studying abroad, it’s likely that you will be exposed to unique cultural customs and traditions that you might never have come across before.
To ensure you settle into your chosen college or university as a foreign student, it’s important to immerse yourself in the local culture as much as possible. Make an effort to learn about the local traditions, celebrate national holidays, and consider the social norms where you’re living.
Embracing the differences between your home country’s culture and the culture of the country where you are undergoing your studies will allow you to get the most out of your experience. It will expand your mind and allow you to build stronger relationships with other students and local residents.
Look After Your Physical and Mental Health
It’s easy to neglect your health when you’re in the middle of a big move and studying for a tough degree abroad. However, you will find it difficult to get the most out of your experience if you’re unhealthy or ill. Plus, being ill could negatively impact your studies and stall your progress in your course.
You should take steps to look after your physical and mental health, which may include regular exercise, consuming a healthy diet, and ensuring you set aside time for relaxation in your weekly schedule.
Exercise can include walking, running, weightlifting, sports, or dancing classes. Whatever form of exercise you enjoy, physical movement is key for maintaining a healthy weight, as well as great cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.
A nutritious diet should include a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including those that contain complex carbohydrates to provide energy for the body, protein to support muscle maintenance and immune function, and healthy fats to support brain and heart health. You should also include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet to support the thousands of metabolic and enzymatic processes that are constantly occurring within your body.
Combining your chosen form of exercise with a healthy diet and plenty of downtime will enable you to complete your studies with ease. You can fuel your body and brain with everything they need for smooth studies, effective revision, and top grades!