Leaving home for the first time to study abroad
Your bags are packed and the taxi is waiting. It’s finally starting to hit you that you are actually leaving home, your family, and friends behind. Nervousness and excitement intermingle as you bid goodbye. Are you still feeling unprepared? How do you adapt to living in a new country all by yourself? The good news is that you’re not the only one feeling this way. Studying abroad is a big step and likely the first time that you are moving away alone. It is natural to feel a little apprehension at having to step out of your comfort zone. Here are a few things you can do to assuage your worries and make the most of your study abroad experience. Jet, set, go!
Pack your bags well in time
Avoid the last-minute rush of packing and shopping at all costs; you are bound to forget something in the chaos. Let’s say you are leaving on 30th August. Set that as a deadline, and with about 2-3 days as a buffer, work backward. Make a list of all things that you are carrying from home, a list for all that needs to be bought, and a separate list for anything that will be bought at your study abroad destination. Work your way through the list. Be sure to keep this list for when you are packing again to return home. Do the research about the weather, socket type, and other such details. You don’t want to land up with an overcoat in a tropical city.
Further, be sure to account for the weight limit for your luggage that the plane allows. Unpacking at the airport is a hassle. You might think that this is obvious, but it is easy to assume that you will remember everything and do not need to note it down. This will give you peace of mind once you have finished packing and give you some much-needed time to spend with your loved ones. This brings us to the next point.
Meet family and friends
Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Only once you are away done do you truly realize how much you miss the little things that home had to offer. Make time for your family and friends, meet them. Memories like these are a reminder of the support system you have back home. Once you leave, be sure to stay in touch as well. At the same time, try to make friends abroad. You may be an introvert but think of this as a fresh start where you can choose the impression you want to create among your peers. Nobody is bound by their personality so long as they choose to grow and keep learning.
Learn a few life skills
This is the best time to learn how to cook and even clean. Gone are the days of gender-specific chore distribution. As a student living alone, there will be days when you have to cook for yourself. Similarly, cleaning your apartment or dorm room will also be something you have to take care of. These may seem little and inconsequential, but they will soon become a part of your daily life. Such skills will make your life abroad that much easier.
Board that plane and get on your way. A dream, a new life, and a world full of opportunities await. Good luck!
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