Studying abroad or being far from home for a long period of time can be stressful and take a while to adjust to. You’re in a completely different time zone, surrounded by a completely different culture. At first, you may be overwhelmed because you no longer have your local morning coffee shop and your favorite little lunch spot to grab and go. It takes a while to adjust to your new environment and it’s important to find ways to seek comfort in your surroundings while still keeping an open mind in order to make the most out of your experiences. Take advantage of being in a new place while finding small reminders of home. I am currently studying abroad at NYU Sydney and I have been finding creative ways to incorporate my daily routines that I maintained back home, here in Sydney.
Here are 4 ways to seek comfort in a foreign country:
1. Exercise Routines
If daily exercise and yoga are things that you did back home, find unique workout classes that will allow you to stay active while still experiencing new things in your new environment. When I came to Sydney I signed up for a class pass which they have in NYC. However, I took advantage of the unique classes they offered in Australia like surfing lessons, bike tour by the beach, and yoga by the sea.
2. Studying Habits
Don’t just lock yourself in a library or the academic building to finish your work while you’re abroad. Instead, seek out other local coffee shops, parks, or outdoor areas to sit and do your work while soaking in the culture and surroundings. During my time in Sydney so far, I’ve been going to different local, outdoor coffee shops to do my work so that I could be around the locals while enjoying the summer weather and being productive all at the same time.
3. Music
If you miss the music and the nights that you would have with friends back in NYC, find ways to experience the same things in your new country. Gather a group of close friends or invite some new locals you just met to go to a beach club that plays the American songs that you miss while still hanging around local people.
4. Movie Nights
Don’t lock yourself in and have solo movie or Netflix nights in your dorm room while abroad. Instead, seek out local opportunities to watch movies in a way you normally wouldn't back home. In Sydney, my friends and I have found a couple of local outdoor movie theaters which will allow us to see the movies we miss and love while still experiencing new things and meeting new people.
These are just a few ways to keep the habits that made you feel comfortable back home, while still adding a twist to experience new things in a foreign country. Time to change up your routines and habits a bit so that you don’t regret wasting the time you spend abroad. Make the most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity and engage with the locals, surroundings, and unique opportunities while you have the chance too.
