While we all know that studying abroad is what college dreams are made of, it's not all the glitz and glam you see from pictures. Just in case you forgot, studying abroad isn't only about jetting off to a foreign destination and country hopping along the way. There is a lot that goes into preparing for going abroad, and when you get there, there are more hoops waiting to be jumped through!
First off, you essentially have to start life again as you learn how to navigate a new school and a new town. Before I left for Wales, I sent multiple emails to the university accommodation services to ensure I would have bedding waiting for me when I arrived in my flat. Unfortunately, and not to my surprise, the only "bedding" I found was a mattress protector. Luckily, one of my flatmates lent me a thin blanket and I used my travel pillow and a sweatshirt as a makeshift pillow for a few days until I was able to pick up bedding.
Learning the workings of a new university has been one of the most difficult parts of studying abroad. University works a lot differently in the United Kingdom, so I have spent the entire school year trying to adjust. For instance, students here mostly have their classes selected for them and you only take classes that are for your year level. As an exchange student I am in a mix of first and second year classes, which has caused some problems with schedules and with topics that intermix between courses.
The second most difficult part of being abroad is adjusting to living with new people. While I am grateful for the flatmates I have, there are times where we struggle to get along and to understand that we are in a shared living space. The flats that we live in have a few hundred more students in surrounding buildings, which makes for noisy nights almost every night. In the states, most universities have CA's or RA's whose job it is to enforce rules. Unfortunately, the "Welfare Wardens" aren't as on top of their game as their U.S. counterparts.
Adjusting to a new culture is also difficult. I have found that life in general is a bit more disorganized here, which can make for frustrating situations. I feel that the idea of professionalism and communication skills is a little lacking across the board. While I know there are rude people all over the world, I have come across some extremely rude customer service employees.
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to study abroad and I wouldn't change a thing. I have met so many amazing people, live in a beautiful city and have had the chance to travel to some great places. This time will always be a highlight in my life. However, I do think those who are considering studying abroad should think about the realities that will face them so they will not feel caught off guard and overwhelmed.
