In my previous post I asked, you to send me challenges and topics to write about since I want to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I got several suggestions and I want to say a huge Thank You to everyone who responded –  all of them will be done. I am still taking ideas and adding them to my list so if you have something on your mind reach me and I will try to write something for sure.

Back to the topic – I was thinking with which suggestion to start and in the end, I decided that the best way to start getting out of my comfort zone is by talking about one of the times I litereally jumped out of it.  I have been studying in Denmark (I am originally from Bulgaria) for the past two and a half years and I have one more to go.  Therefore, today I will be talking about the experience of being a student in a foreign country (based on my views) and some impressions I got from three years of studying abroad. 

If I have to describe studying in a foreign country with several adjectives, they would be – challenging, exciting, self-exploratory, rewarding and quite tough. But most importantly, the experience of studying abroad is what you make it yourself, nothing comes on its own and it is up to you to make the best or worst out of it.

What to consider?

Studying abroad is a huge challenge, no matter how you look at it. Leaving your home and starting your life in a foreign country will certainly take you out of your comfort zone, no matter how well prepared you think you are and how outgoing and extrovert you consider yourself to be. But, this is a challenge which is sure to be extremely rewarding and will teach you valuable lessons.  You will experience good and bad emotions, but hopefully, in the end, you will be grateful that you made this choice.

I think the most important thing to consider if you are about to study in a foreign country is to set your mind right. Like with any other situation it’s all about the attitude. Try to approach everything in the most positive way possible and remember that everything is a challenge, which shapes your character and personality. Know the reason you made the choice to be there and always remind yourself it is worth to keep pushing ahead.

I’ve said it before, but I believe that real progress comes when you challenge yourself. And what better way to do it than to leave everything you know behind and dive into the unknown with full speed? New people, new places, a new way of life and taking care of every single thing on your own. Whether you consider this to be something frightening or something exciting is all a matter of your mindset and attitude.

The good and the bad

Naturally, there are several obvious and not so obvious good and bad aspects of being a foreign student. I think it strongly depends on the country you are going to and the one you are originally from, because the bigger the cultural difference, the more shocking and enlightening the experience will be (I’ve noticed that people from the Middle East for example find much more difficulties due to cultural differences and lifestyle in Europe).

Speaking about good and bad points is something really relative and I am afraid I might be slightly biased, but I think most of the points I am about to mention apply for the majority of foreign students.

The tough part

• The scary start

The first thing that comes to my mind when I remember my first days in Denmark is the word scary. As every beginning, going in a foreign country to basically start a new life is quite frightening. Especially if you are on your own.  Living away from your home, in a completely different country, where you know nothing about the habits and lifestyle is a bit tricky at first, but you eventually get used to it.

• Taking care of stuff

It strongly depends on how you were raised and how you were used to living before, but it might be a big challenge to adjust and start taking care of every single thing on your own. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting, dealing with local institutions and setting up all the things you will need during your stay are all things you should be prepared for and be ready to approach.  But, again, this will teach you the essentials of taking care of yourself and stepping into “the adulthood (wtf is this)“.

• Nostalgia

Sooner or later, you are very likely to start missing your home, family, and friends like you never imagined you will. That’s only natural. Being separated from everyone who you were used to seeing every day can come as a shock at some point and you need to be ready to embrace it. Of course, as with everything else, you eventually get used to it and it becomes less and less difficult to deal with.

• The attitude of the locals

And if being in a new country, where you know nothing, is not scary enough, here come the locals. This again strongly depends on the country you are in, but you need to consider that some countries are not well known for accepting foreigners in the best way and there are always people who will look at you as an outsider.  The attitude of the people might vary and there is the risk that you will feel excluded at some point but you shouldn’t let this get you down in any way.  Plus there are ALWAYS nice people who will do everything to make you feel better and you will most likely be in an international environment so there will be plenty of people in the exact same situation as you.

• The Climate

Always be ready to face a new and not so pleasant type of climate conditions. Especially if you are going to Denmark. The weather can affect your mood drastically and you should have the right approach to not let this get you down.

• Prove yourself

Being a foreigner in a new country also means you should be ready to put in extra effort to prove yourself and get used to the standards of the country. Being determined is a quality, which will certainly help you a lot. New people and new experiences await and this might be tough and quite scary at first, but here comes the good part.

The exciting part

Being a foreigner in a new country is an adventure itself and even though it comes with a lot of struggles, it also has a huge number of positive aspects. As mentioned, every beginning is scary and difficult, but it is also exciting and full of opportunities.

• Exploring new places, people, and cultures

To begin with, as a foreign student you are about the explore a whole new world. Different lifestyle, architecture and what not wait for you to delve into and if you are interested enough you will learn a lot about various cultures for sure. The chances are you will be in an international environment, full of outgoing people and if you have the desire you can learn all about their homeplaces and increase your knowledge about the world greatly. This also means tonnes of new friends, some of whom are likely to become great companions. Meeting new people with various characters is one of the best things to look forward to when you go to a new country and it is incredibly interesting to interact with so many different people – there is something to learn from each and every person you meet.

• Self -improvement

The huge challenge of studying abroad leaves room for a lot of self-improvement as well. All the tough parts I mentioned above lead to building a stronger, more independent and reliable character and everything you didn’t know becomes a valuable skill for your future self. If you put your effort into it you are sure to develop both in a personal and professional manner.

• Countless Opportunities

There also are all the amazing events going on in every place, so keep your eyes open for opportunities and never miss them. Cultural, professional and entertaining events take place almost every day so it’s a matter of personal taste to find the best one and enjoy it to the fullest. Take the best out of your experience and be sure to tell yourself “It was all worth it” when you are leaving.

There are numerous great things about being a foreign student and countless possibilities to take advantage of and if you set your mind the right way you can have a great expereince. Of course, hard times are inevitable and sometimes you will (probably) tell yourself it’s not worth it. But when this time comes, try to look from a different angle and remember why you started this journey.

Studying abroad is definitely a challenge worth taking since it will benefit your development in a great way and even though there are negative aspects, they all somehow make you a stronger individual. Stepping out of your comfort zone and viewing the challenge as something positive is a risk worth taking. Being stuck in the same place will certainly not lead to any progress and there are countless things to explore as a foreign student. And not everyone has the chance to be one and take the best of it, so set your mind right and own it.

Have you been or are you a student abroad? Or do you plan to become one? What do you think about the topic? Don’t be shy to share your opinion.

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