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Overcoming Personal Barriers to Study Abroad
Thomas Ahonen
Updated Feb 26, 2015Save
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We talk a lot about the great study abroad destinations the world has to offer… but even with the rankings, sunny destination weather reports and student testimonials, many of you might still not be sold on going abroad. There’s a lot of barriers people face when considering embarking on international study; cost may be prohibitive, language may be a barrier or you may just feel uncomfortable stepping outside your culture and becoming a minority.
I was reading a blog from the Wall Street Journal Asia which cited that for Japan, enthusiasm for study abroad is declining but not necessarily for economic reasons -- the students felt that life at home was easier, language was a barrier and had a lack of confidence in living alone.
If you’re from a country where culture shock and the adjustment of living situation could be a deterrent in the likelihood that you’ll look outside your country borders for education options, let’s consider what you can do to make the concept of study abroad less frightening...
Record lectures and use translation apps
From my experience with non-native English speakers in classrooms, it’s common and widely accepted that you can record lectures to a dictaphone/audio device to store, playback, translate if you need to understand a concept better, and have for your records so you don’t miss anything in class. Many students will have translator devices (or I’m assuming now, iPad apps…) so if you need to form your thoughts and have some assistance in asking a question, it’ll be a handy way of getting the local language tips without having to ask people around you for help. Now don’t get me wrong, studying in another language can be stressful if you aren’t proficient, but most universities will have international student offices that can provide academic support and tips on how to make the most out of lectures.
Consider joining or creating a student group
Creating a student group with other classmates from your home country or with other international students. Sometimes when you’re far from home and trying to cope with adjusting to another language and culture, it can be refreshing to speak with people who have the same frame of reference for jokes and television shows. Catch up with some people who might share your same frustrations and share tips on where to go for foods you miss, study advice, etc… Also, if you have enough members in the student group, you can organize some activities on your campus to share your culture with other students!
Attend all of your university’s student orientation events
Familiarize yourself at student orientation with facilities available and find out what exactly your campus has to offer in the way of student support. Some campuses will also offer mentor or buddy programs for new students, so if you’re having issues adjusting to life abroad, you might be able to have someone that can help guide you navigate your first few months and help you integrate.
Living alone doesn’t need to be your only option
In fact, it is likely that you’ll be living in student accommodation or shared housing of some kind. Submerging yourself in another culture is probably one of the best ways to adapt and force yourself to experience new things, new foods, new music and make new friends. Don’t be afraid to mix and mingle with flatmates or people in your building; chances are they are from somewhere else as well and would like to experience a bit of diversity and talk to you about where you come from! I’ve seen my fair share of international students in buildings keep to themselves because they may not feel comfortable with their English and socializing seems difficult, but the catch of the situation is that the more you force yourself to socialize and practice your English, the better you will get.
If you think life at your home country will be easier, you’re probably right. Study abroad is a challenge, but a challenge that shows employers, your parents and yourself that you can adapt to circumstances outside of your comfort zone and succeed. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of living abroad, it’s not a bad challenge, it’s a good one!
(And you can always go home if you hate it, but you have the rest of your life to do that anyway, so get out and experience something different before then!)