The 12 Stages Everyone Goes Through Before Studying Abroad | The Odyssey Online
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The 12 Stages Everyone Goes Through Before Studying Abroad

Panic is good, as long as you realize that you're about to go on an epic journey.

Katie Meili Messersmith
Jan 18, 2016
Centre College
36
The 12 Stages Everyone Goes Through Before Studying Abroad

College is supposed to be one of the most exciting and memorable times in your life. Within those youthful years, being able to live in another country is unforgettable. Going abroad is many college students' dream.

My college, Centre College, has an incredible study abroad program. Eighty-five percent of the students at my school study abroad at least once. If you go through a program that my school offers, then your tuition that you pay while on campus for a semester is the same as when you are abroad. But if Centre doesn't have a program to the country that you want to visit then you can design your own or go through another school's program. It may cost a little more but the study abroad office is easy to work with and wants every student to have the chance to study abroad.

Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity that is said to change your life. But the time leading up to your impending departure is full of different emotions. So here are a few of the stages that every student goes through before their time abroad.


That feeling after you turn in your application to study abroad in an awesome country. And the study abroad office is taking their sweet time with replying to everyone's applications.

That moment when you finally get the word that your dream has come true and you're going abroad.

And even better, you hear that you are going to be traveling with your best friends.

When you realize that where you are going, you will be legally able to drink.

Once the excitement settles down things typically return to normal and you're just buying your time before you leave.

Then before you know it, you are leaving in a few weeks and you have done nothing to prepare besides buy a plane ticket to get there.

Everything is piling up. You are overwhelmed but decide to keep things bottled up because if you ignore it and keep procrastinating then everything will be fine, right?

You're nervous to learn how to live in a new country and culture.

You have procrastinated enough that speed packing is the only option.

And your reasoning skills when it comes to packing go down the drain.

But once everything is ready and your excitement returns,

You realize that you are about to go on the best adventure of your life so far. And you're ready to take it head on.

Special thanks to my extraordinary mom and my spectacular school for giving me the opportunity to study in France this spring semester. I'm counting down the days until I fly out. Just over three weeks!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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