A month leading up to departure, everyone asks you if you are ready. If you are excited, or nervous, or if your family is okay with you flying however many miles across the sea. They ask about the time difference and how your friends and partners feel. Despite good intentions, these questions made me more nervous. I want to travel abroad and am excited and prepared in different ways, but this is a big change. There is so much to do and think about, so when people ask me questions, I feel the need to go on this semi-rehearsed spiel about all the hardships, feelings, and more.
When thinking about my upcoming time abroad, I have felt nervous about my relationships at home, my phone plan, getting lost, making friends, doing well in classes, and more. However, I leave for my host university in Ireland in two days, and I have found peace. I have been so anxious, from both excitement and nerves, but now I feel calm, prepared, and ready to take action and seize my future abroad.
This is reassurance that it is okay to feel emotions outside of excitement. There is no need to feel guilty about being nervous or dreading aspects of your time abroad. Leaving home, friends, routines, norms, partners, comfy rooms, and items at home is a feat. I am here, however, to provide tips on how to calm yourself before embarking on your adventure abroad.
Tip 1 - WATCH YOUR EMAIL
Everybody will email you: the USC Education Abroad Office (EAO), multiple teams from your host university, your housing provider, your airlines, and more. After applying to study abroad, watch your email like a hawk. Try to respond, sign up, apply, or do whatever emails want you to as soon as possible. This vigilance not only prevents you from missing information, it ensures that you get the best opportunities. Some sign-ups or experiences are time-sensitive, and by paying attention you can ensure you get and do everything you want.
Tip 2 - BE THE EARLY BIRD
Unless your host university tells you otherwise, start looking at phone plans, housing, and plane tickets as soon as you can. Let me give you a couple of crash courses.
Regarding phone plans, you have three main options: get an international plan through your current phone provider, buy a new phone in your host country with a local carrier, or get a new SIM card with a carrier from your host country. I chose the last option, but it took a while to figure everything out. To switch SIM cards, you first need to contact your carrier to find out if your phone is unlocked (meaning the SIM card can be taken out). Then, find out if your phone has a tangible SIM card or an eSIM card. After that, you can order a prepaid SIM card online or find stores near your airport or campus to buy a SIM card once you arrive in your host country.
If you need a visa, immigration card, or other qualification to study abroad in your country, look up the requirements and start gathering everything as soon as possible. Many countries require you to prove financial stability, medical insurance, academic ability, and more. The EAO has many visa tips and can help you navigate these processes.
When abroad, some host schools offer on-campus housing or host family accommodations. However, some do not have these options or enough space, so students must seek off-campus accommodations. Your host university will likely tell you what their options and application processes are like. For off-campus housing, you must watch out for scams and ask for plenty of pictures, videos, and more before confirming accommodation.
Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in all your tasks to prepare for going abroad, but remember to track all of your responsibilities at home, too. Examples of this include renewing car registrations, checking expiration dates on IDs and passports, remembering deadlines for applications at home (like housing, scholarships, internships, etc), and more. Completing or preparing for these tasks beforehand can help relieve stress when abroad.
Tip 3 - SEEK OUT HELP
Reach out to family, friends, and mentors for help when needed. Whether you are unsure how to book a plane ticket or you just need some emotional support, seek help. Furthermore, do not be afraid to contact your host university, the EAO, or past study-abroad students for information or advice. I have sent countless emails out of the blue to my host university and the EAO. I also found it helpful to look at blogs like this one from my host and home university to learn more about people’s experiences and what I should expect.
Tip 4 - ENVISION YOUR FUTURE
I was very anxious about maintaining relationships with my partner, friends, and family at home. However, sitting down and communicating your and their expectations can help give you an idea of how to stay close to them and make them feel valued while you are abroad. Planning creative ways to connect–like sending letters, downloading long-distance relationship apps, and more–can also help make the process fun.
Additionally, looking at your host university’s clubs, societies, shops, restaurants, and more can help you picture what your life will be like and get you excited about your experiences. You can also look ahead at transportation options to plan how you will explore your new home.
Tip 5 - GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO PACK
Airlines and TSA have strict requirements for what you can pack, weights, different classifications of bags, and liquid amounts. Start packing at least a week out from your travels so that you have plenty of time to absorb this information and pack gradually. Additionally, check if any medications you bring are legal or over the counter in your host country. If you have prescription medications, make sure to bring printed-out copies of your prescription. I also recommend bringing a printed sheet of any important phone numbers, addresses, and other information for your arrival in your host country in case of emergency or confusion.
These tips are how I have prepared for my time abroad. Despite the nerves, this will be the experience of a lifetime and be worth any of the stresses beforehand. Now, I feel calm, collected, excited, and ready to experience all that Ireland has to offer! I am excited to meet people from all over the world, go hiking in a new country, join clubs, take new classes, eat new food, and share the experience with those I love at home.
Make sure to check out other blogs and talk to those around you for advice on how to be completely prepared!
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