How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone When Studying Abroad

A survey showed that 95% of students found studying abroad helpful for maturity. Another 96% of students also said it boosted their confidence.

Studying abroad is something that the majority of students are interested in. After all, what could be the downside of getting to travel while doing college?

This is a great experience that opens many doors for students. It also allows you to go on the adventure of your life before starting your career.

Keep reading to find out how to get out of your comfort zone when studying abroad.

Why Study Abroad?

Taking a summer abroad is something that most students dream of. This is an opportunity that has so much potential depending on your outlook.

This allows you to travel and see new sites while you are still young. You don’t have to take a year off to travel, you can do both things while continuing your education.

But studying overseas can be quite intimidating for most people. This is understandable since you will often be traveling on your own to a new environment.

If you are on the fence about college travel, there are some benefits to consider. These are benefits that may apply to you and help in your decision.

Ability to Travel

Traveling abroad creates an amazing college experience. This allows you to travel overseas to a different country when you are continuing your education.

Keep in mind that traveling doesn’t have to stop there. Depending on where you go, you are not limited when it comes to experiences.

Many students who travel abroad are able to enjoy the sites. They are able to travel throughout the country to experience everything it has to offer.

As long as you set aside enough time to study, you can spend the rest of your time enjoying yourself. This allows you to really understand the culture and fall in love with the country.

This is why Europe is a very popular option among students. It gives you the opportunity to travel to Europe and to other areas that are close by.

Life Experiences

It isn’t surprising that studying overseas teaches you a lot. Most students come back with a completely different perspective on life.

The majority of students find this to be a maturing experience. As fun as it is, it helps them to understand what it feels like to be an adult.

You will be on your own and in charge of yourself. It will give you an idea of what being independent really feels like.

It can also help to teach you about budgeting and balancing out your time. You will be away from friends and family and will need to learn how to function on your own.

You will also get to experience the different cultures you are surrounded by. This will give you a greater appreciation and an understanding of the life that you want.

New Connections

One of the best aspects of spending a college semester abroad is the people. As long as you put yourself out there, you will gain new relationships.

Because you are alone, you will be encouraged to socialize more. You won’t be able to become as much of a wallflower as you may have at your college.

This is a growing experience for most people and helps you to connect with others. This will broaden your understanding of the culture and people from different walks of life.

Many students walk away with relationships that they will have for the rest of their life. This is something that is invaluable and cannot be replaced.

Adventure Before Career

Many students go from high school straight to college to continue their education. This has many benefits and allows them to go straight to the next part of their life.

Then once they have completed their college education, they will move on to the workforce. This is very efficient and works for the majority of people.

Although, not everyone enjoys this process and finds it fulfilling. That is part of why studying abroad is such a popular option.

This allows you to get to experience adventure before you have to start working. It allows you to travel and gain new experiences without abandoning your education.

This provides a much-needed breath of fresh air for the majority of students. This is especially useful for students who have an interest in traveling but don’t have the time.

You will be able to start your career feeling revitalized and excited.

How to Get the Most Out of Studying Abroad

If you are going to be studying overseas, you may be planning your trip. It is good to be prepared and have a vague idea of what you will be expecting.

Throughout this process, it is very important that you stay open-minded. You want to be open to new opportunities and new people.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you want to get the most out of. That is why it is so important for students to push through their comfort zone for the best experience.

You most likely only have a limited time in this country. That is why you want to push yourself to do things you normally wouldn’t even consider.

Keep reading to find out how you can get out of your comfort zone during this adventure.

Take Lighter Courses

Some students like to push themselves to learn the most they possibly can. To do this, they may take on a very large course load to get the most out of their education.

This is a great option and allows you to excel throughout college. But it is important to remember that traveling abroad is very different.

You are going to be on your own in a completely different country. The language will be different, and you won’t have any connections when you get there.

You need to make sure you have plenty of time to settle in and acclimate. You don’t want to become stressed with a large course load with classes in a different language.

That is why it is a good idea to take on the lightest course load available. This gives you plenty of time to settle in and get an understanding of where you are.

This strategy also allows you to enjoy this experience. Even though you are there to study, you are also there to enjoy the culture and landscape.

You want to have time to be adventurous and explore the area. You also need time to socialize and learn the language to better communicate.

Socialize

Speaking of socializing, this is a very important aspect you need to focus on. It is too easy to retreat into your shell and avoid connecting with people.

You may do this if you are feeling homesick or if you are introverted. This is understandable and is something that the majority of students struggle with.

The reality is that part of the studying abroad experience is socializing. You need the opportunities to meet people and create new friendships.

It can be very difficult to study abroad without having anyone on your side. This will make the homesickness worse, and you may feel very lonely.

You should try to socialize with the other students in your classes and get to know them. You should also utilize any programs for international students.

Learn the Language

It cannot be stressed enough how important language is. Depending on the country you go to, you probably need to learn a different dialect.

This is very important when it comes to understanding the classes you are taking. These classes will most likely be in that language, and you need to get an understanding of it.

This is also a key detail to building relationships. After all, you will not be able to socialize if you can’t speak to the people around you.

This is also a sign of respect for the locals in that area. You should not expect everyone to try to communicate with you, you need to understand how to communicate with them.

It is also the perfect opportunity to learn a new language on your own. You will be surrounded by the language and have endless opportunities to converse.

Have Goals

It is also very important to have goals when you are studying overseas. You should have an understanding of what you want to accomplish during this time.

It is too easy to become distracted once you get there and become busy. You may do plenty of things, but you may not do anything that you wanted to.

You may have certain goals depending on the area you are going to. Maybe there is something that you want to see or an activity that you want to participate in.

These are all things that you should write down and keep with you. Your goals will help you to stay on track and remember what experiences are most important to you.

Find a Buddy

It is so important for international students to find a buddy. Socializing is very important, but you also want to find that one special friend.

This may take some time since you may not connect with someone immediately. But the more you socialize, the more likely you are to find that one friend.

This is someone who you can do things with and create memories with. They may be able to show you local sites and encourage you to get outside of your comfort zone.

It is also important to have a buddy if you are struggling with homesickness. Part of this is most likely loneliness, which can be quite easy to solve.

Try the Cuisine

If you are a picky eater, you may be afraid to try the local cuisine. Every country is going to have a cuisine that is something completely unlike what you're used to.

As intimidating as this may feel, eating local food is part of the experience. This gets you out of your comfort zone and gives you an actual taste of the country.

Enjoying the local food is also a sign of respect for the locals.

Find a Community

Socializing is very important but you also need to find an actual community. This doesn’t have to be anything big, a community can be a few people you surround yourself with.

Some people find community by going to a local church. Or you may attend different college programs or activities that are available there.

You can even find a community by going to a local restaurant or coffee shop daily. You can find a community anywhere as long as you are open-minded and friendly.

Communicate with the people around you and learn different aspects of their life. As long as you do this, people will accept you, and you will always have a place to go.

How to Have the Best Experience When Studying Abroad

If you are going to be studying abroad, you may be nervous about what you will experience. It is important that you push yourself out of your comfort zone during this process.

After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity unlike anything else. You don’t want to be held back by fear or uncertainty when confronted with new experiences and opportunities.

Are you interested in furthering your education this year? Contact us today at Honor Society to look at our best scholarships (hosted by the Honor Society Foundation) and member packages for students.