A lot of graduates decide that simply attending college in another state isn’t enough. Traditionally, a student in Carolina deciding to attend The University of Miami might check out some off-campus apartments, cars for sale in Florida, and other aspects of their new state, but others take this even further and hop across the pond to study overseas.
If you thought changing states was a culture shock, just imagine growing up in North Dakota and attending a university in Japan. It’s outright scary for most people, but some brave students really crave this experience, and studying abroad is always a popular move with thousands of students every year.
Of course, looking for things in England or China or Romania isn’t the same as looking up things for sale in Florida. It takes a lot more intel – and there’s your first tip in studying abroad: Get to know your new location.
You should be the quintessential tourist. Pick up maps, find out about local restaurants, and even look around for working opportunities that allow you to assimilate into the culture.
Secondly, work to learn the language. Even if you’re going to the UK where the language is still English, Americanized English and the Queen’s English can be quite different, especially when it comes to rule of grammar. Familiarize yourself with other languages and customs to ease your transition.
The most important tip we want to cover here is to keep your head down and your nose clean. Avoid any trouble. When letting loose on an American campus, it’s all about keggers and fraternity/sorority hazing. Other cultures may not be so forgiving of what you think the collegiate experience is.
Studying abroad can be a great learning opportunity for you, but you will be a long, long way from home. Take the time to assimilate and always keep under the radar.