Studying abroad

Post Reply New Topic

Dear people,

I am a 20 year old female from Belgium and this September I will go study in France for 5 months. I am really excited to do this and I think being abroad by myself will make me a more mature, social and independent person. So I'm looking forewards to this new experience. But I also get really nervous when I think about it. I think about all the arrangements I have to make (a lot of them have already been made, but still...) and I just basically worry about everything. It's a whole new environment/country for me. I worry about: how to get there, picking up my keys for my room, grocery shopping everyday, where to find all of the deparments and buildings, where to find everything in general, getting lost in the city, forgetting to bring along import documents with me that I will need there. This might sound weird but I get really nervous when I think of myself being alone at a French trainstation, in need of information, not speaking the language (I spreak Dutch). In my mind I just see all the French people walking by really fast and me standing there still, not knowing what to do or where to go... Then I also worry about making friends, getting lonely, going to college and workshops everyday, conversating with other foreign students. I'm worried about everything basically, afraid that everything will be a complete disaster and won't ever get used to it.

Are there any Aspies on here that have studied abroad (or are planning to do so) ? What was is like for you? How did you prepare for it?
Would you do it again if you could? Were there any things you found hard to get used to?

Tell me everything!

Thanks!

Cafeaulait

no one?

I'm sorry no one seems to be able to answer your question. I don't know if I'll even be able to satisfactorily answer your question, but I'll give it my best shot.

I've never studied abroad, and I don't expect to for a while. However, I've read about it. Does your university have a special page on its studying abroad program? If so, check to see if it has a FAQ page, which should answer many of your questions. Also, get in touch with students at your university who have studied abroad before, and ask them about their experiences and how they dealt with culture shock.

Also, will the university you're studying at have a specialized dorm for foreign students? If so, then there shouldn't be any language barrier. Even if there is no such dormitory, you likely will come across plenty of other classmates from your home country with whom you can develop mutual support.

I hope I was at least somewhat helpful with my insights.

Ever heard of the saying 'how to eat an elephant?'

One bite at a time. Yes, there will be all those things you'll come up against, but as long as you are as prepared as you can be (and it sounds like you are), you'll be able to muddle your way through it. In a way, this is the perfect problem-solving learning ground.

Whenever I'm abroad, I always have the expectation that something will go wrong, so that when it does, I'm not shocked about it, I can just concentrate on figuring out what I should do. Funnily enough, because I'm prepared for things to not go my way, I'm always more capable and calm when I'm abroad than when I'm at home.

At our Uni, there's a specialised centre for those on exchange which can help you with things 27/7. Do you know if your host Uni/College has one? There'll also be the embassy if you get into real trouble. Also, your written English seems great and I'm sure there'll be a lot of people you'll be able to communicate with on a mutual second language.

Will stuff go wrong? Yes! Will you be able to deal with it when it does? Yes to that too! Especially if you see it as an opportunity to learn.

Good luck!

I want to study abroad at some point- I'm majoring in languages, especially Spanish. I feel that, at this point, immersion is the best way for the language to come more naturally to me. However, I have never been away from my immediate family for more than a few days, so the idea of being away from them for a month or so scares the crap outta me. They are very much part of my comfort zone, and I feel as if homesickness will be a huge issue. Still... maybe, someday...

I'm planning to do so... right now, however, I'm simply researching the culture and ins and outs of my desired country (in my case, Japan) and trying to plan how I will cope with anything that might bother me. Hope this helps!

I never traveled abroad but always wanted to. My Mom is scared that something might happen to me. Anyway I think everyone has those feelings that your having right now. Why don't you get some french dictionary and phrase books so whenever you need help then you have something to guide you. Also get some France travel guides. They will help with guiding you through the city. I recommend rick steves books.
I hope this helps.

I may be able to answer several questions that you raised about studying abroad since I have studied abroad. First of all, I am excited that you are going to study abroad in France. I hope that studying in a different country will make you a better person.

To answer your questions, a year ago I studied abroad in Rome Italy for 3 months (I live in the USA). It was by far the best experience I had during my life! I really wanted to see the beautiful buildings, artwork, churches, and basilicas in Rome. Also, Italian food in Italy was really good. I kept a journal as part of an assignment during my stay in Rome and I enjoyed writing about what I saw and did there and drew lots of sketches from sight and sometimes from a camera.

As for the people I met in Rome, I mostly stick with my classmates. I did learn basic Italian just to hold a very basic conversation to communicate some Italians. In addition, I was more likely to talk to someone who spoke Spanish as it happened three times that I came upon a few tourists who were from Spain and they approached me thinking that I know more Spanish than Italian. Finally, I spent a great time with a few Catholic priests and religious monks in Rome; they were nice and I had a good time talking to them.

For preparation, I would say that the most important things if you travel outside your country are change of clothes, a converter and adapter for your electronic devices like smartphones, phone chargers, hair-dryers, etc.; and bathroom supplies like towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. There is no perfect way of preparing for a trip. Expect the unexpected.

Do not bring too many things abroad. I made the mistake of bringing five luggages overseas and overweight fees at airports is expensive. Try to have one luggage and a carry-on bag and travel light if possible. You can get everything else once you are in France.

I would definitely study abroad again to another country at some point in my life. Finally, the hardest things for me to adjust were the time zone and that I have strict healthy eating diet. I tend to workout in the mornings in a gym. Instead, I jog around the city of Rome or I can jump rope.

I hope I am not talking too much about it. It is ok for you to be nervous about going to another country. Trust me, I was. But try your best not to worry about everything. I have a similar problem before I arrived in Rome. What I did was explore where everything is like where your classrooms is, where are some good places to shop, eat, and visit, where you can get public transportations like buses, trams, taxis, etc., Your teachers there will help you in the city.
Also, since you are going to France, try to make new friends since if you move to a new place, you can meet new people. I know it is hard to make friends for us Aspies. I did this and It was a great experience, though a hard one. That's all I can say.

By the way, which university do you go to in Belgium that has this study abroad program in France, and are you the only one taking this program, or do you have other people going with you?

Hello, I think I can answer your questions. I am an international student studying at a college in the US. It would be a huge challenge to come to a different country at first, but you would learn a lot about how to get to fit in a new environment during that time.

1. What was is like for you?
For me, it was like opening a door with possibilities.

2. How did you prepare for it?
The most important thing is to gather as much information as possible! From the shops around to food options, the more info you have the more confident and reassured you would be.

3. Would you do it again if you could?
I am going to be a sophomore this fall! I am still doing it, so yes!