Not everyone has it in them to study abroad. For one thing, their major or field of study might make it impossible for them to do so. A student also needs certain things in order to make the most of studying in a new country. Here is the checklist for studying abroad that will lead to a productive and fun time in a foreign place.
1. Necessary Items
Don’t be that kid who forgot to take his passport or his credit card or another important item that makes it possible to travel easily. Make it better for yourself and triple-check that you have the things you can’t buy in another country.
2. Good Humor
Sometimes you are going to look like an idiot to the locals because you won’t know where you are going, you might not speak the language perfectly and you might just look strange in their eyes because of your clothes or mannerisms. You need to be able to laugh at yourself and figure it out as you go along.
3. Acceptance
There are going to be things you won’t understand right away, whether it’s the campus you’re staying in or the habits of the local people. You need to keep an open mind and accept that life is different in other parts of the world. If you can’t accept that, you will not be a welcome guest.
4. A Desire to Try
There are weird foods you might have to try and new clothes you might have to wear and odd phrases you might have to say…but that's what makes it fun. Studying in another country is an amazing opportunity that you should take advantage of, so immerse yourself in the culture. Try a new lifestyle. You never know -- it might fit you better than your original lifestyle.
5. Wanderlust
You have to want to travel to appreciate studying abroad. Going just because it looks good on a resume doesn’t help you or anyone else. You need to enjoy it -- half the stuff you will learn comes from being in a new, exciting place and experiencing something new. If you just study, you miss out on so much.
6. Discipline
That being said, you need to still be disciplined enough to complete the necessary work. Without doing well in the courses, you will just have to repeat them at your original campus, which would be an awful waste of time. Appreciate the foreign country, but don’t forget the main goal: doing well in school.
7. Photo-Taking Device
Whether it’s a phone or a really expensive high-tech camera, you need to photograph everything. Don’t be annoying with your picture-taking, but remember that taking them will help bring back memories in later years, and you will be so glad to have documentation.
8. Curiosity
To study abroad, you should be curious about this new place. You should want to learn about everything -- from the food these people eat to the songs they listen to, to the clothes they wear, to their celebrations and their customs. If you are curious enough to find out, go study in a brand new place and learn everything you can.
