Adjusting to Study Abroad: A Guide
By Nina Prenosil
Content
Embarking on a thrilling adventure overseas and seizing the opportunity to study abroad is a fun and exciting choice embraced by numerous UMass Amherst students. Living abroad for a semester allows you the opportunity to experience a new culture and enhance your education at a new university. Studying abroad is very exciting, but it is also important to note that you will be adjusting to a new lifestyle in a new country. Get ready for a dive into what lies ahead when you embark on your study abroad journey! I'll guide you through what to expect, and share tips to ensure you're fully prepared for the thrilling adjustment that is ahead.
Getting around
Many students will choose to study abroad in cities that tend to be much larger than the UMass Amherst campus. Cities such as Madrid, Granada, Copenhagen, and my study abroad city, Florence, are considered walkable cities — which makes getting around quite easy.
You will not have a car while you are abroad, so walking further stretches or using public transport is something to expect. I generally have a 10-15 minute walk to class every day, and every other necessity such as the grocery store and pharmacy is within a five minute walking commute. Larger cities such as Barcelona or Rome may require more frequent use of public transportation, but host universities generally ensure that all students can easily walk to class.
Eating?
Another big adjustment while living abroad is how and when you eat. As you know, in the US we usually eat three meals a day. But in other countries, that eating schedule may or may not change. In Florence, it is customary to eat a small breakfast, a late lunch, and then a large dinner late in the evening. This was quite a shock for me, as I am used to eating dinner around 6:00 p.m. — so needless to say the 8:00 p.m. mealtime was tough at first. Aside from eating times, there are also certain dining customs that vary from country to country. For example, in Italy, drinks containing dairy are not to be consumed after noon… and the craziest of all… pizza is eaten with a fork and knife!
Overall, the dining experience in Italy has been wonderful. Going out to dinner is treated like an event to be enjoyed, and the meal is never rushed.
Finding your comfort space
So far my biggest piece of advice for adjusting to living abroad would be to find a space that feels like your own. I was quite nervous that I would not be able to find a spot to do homework that I loved as much as my study spots at UMass. When I need to be productive my environment must be conducive to learning, so I began searching for a place to do work in Florence as soon as possible. Luckily, down the street from my apartment is Biblioteca delle Oblate, which is the perfect place to do work.
Finding your own space to relax and enjoy is something I definitely recommend. It can be hard moving to a new place, so having something that feels comfortable to you is a must.
The overall adjustment period
The most important piece of advice to keep in mind is that as a study abroad student you must be patient with yourself. There is a chance you will experience culture shock or homesickness, but these feelings are indeed temporary, and the country you chose to be in is exactly where you are supposed to be. In the first two weeks of studying abroad, I talked to friends who felt the initial anxieties of moving far from home and I too felt these feelings, but as the days continued we all found ourselves to be so much more content.
Not only are these anxious feelings temporary, but they are also there to help you grow during your journey abroad. There is no better way to grow as an individual than stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to experience a whole new world.
Studying abroad offers UMass students an enriching opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and educational environment. While the experience is undeniably exciting, it's important to prepare for the adjustments that come with living in a foreign country. From navigating transportation and adapting to different eating schedules and customs to finding your own space for comfort and productivity, each aspect of the adjustment period contributes to personal growth.
