Change These Habits Before Going Abroad for Education

News & Events

Wednesday — April 19, 2017

By:Study Abroad

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Studying abroad is wonderful idea and it is recommended for everyone. Studying abroad you will learn a lot of new things about the world and different people. You will live an entirely different lifestyle with different culture, values and traditions. Blending in and managing with new lifestyle is going to be a unique experience and if you are adventurous, this will be a great fun for you as well.

As I was saying studying abroad will definitely be in new culture and new society; you will have to change yourself according to it just as they say in Pakistan “Jaisa Des Waisa Bhes”. If you still did everything like you do in your homeland while studying abroad, some people might unconsciously feel offended. We don’t want to offence our hosts unless we wish to be deported back to our home. It is not difficult to change yourself according the new society; you will automatically start to follow it with the passage of time. But there are few Pakistanis habits that take time to change but it is better be avoid them from the beginning. Following are the habits you must change before going abroad for education.

Always Talking Religious:

As Pakistan’s majority is Muslim this is the most common habit of everyone in Pakistan. Whether it is a kid or an old man, a doctor or engineer, literate or illiterate; everyone will always render their Islamic advice in almost every issue, discussion and argument. Whether they are talking to friends, family, teachers, they will most certainly manifest how Islamic they are. Everyone deem themselves Islamic scholar for no reason at all.

I am not saying to not to follow your religion, do follow it and living according to it; it is all your personal choice. If you are talking to another Muslim and share your Islamic view, advice or argument; it most probably won’t be taken as offence. But if you put an Islamic argument on table during a discussion with a Non-Muslim, I don’t think he is going to like it. You must be aware that most common study abroad destinations are not Islamic states and their major population is Non-Muslim.

So, it is recommended to do follow your religion, live your life according to it but don’t apply it on others or beat the drum about it. Also try to avoid the words while talking to a foreigner that we normally use like “Alhamdulillah”, “Jazakallah”, “Allah Hafiz”, “Assalam o Alaikum”. However, you can act anyway you want when you are among the friends of your own country.

Not Giving Tips:

Pakistanis are not very much generous when it comes to tipping the service provider. They always pull their hands a little in this matter. But in most foreign countries, giving tip is like compulsory without even saying it. Not giving tip is frowned upon and you also must leave a generous amount according to proportion of your total bill. It is really common in most developed countries so you must not take it lightly unless you want to be called cheap shot, by friends and the waiter. It may not sound very appealing now but you will understand when you will be doing this job as most foreigner students do.

Criticism:

No matter where you are in the world, criticism is never a good thing. If you don’t like something then don’t do it, don’t criticize it as it is not your call what others do. In Pakistan, it is kind of a habit to assume right what you do and anything different from that is wrong. Do remember that people are different not bad. If you don’t like anything, which you will a lot in foreign countries, try to keep an open mind about it. Don’t criticize anyone and especially not on face. You have the freedom of speech but criticism is hate speech and that is illegal. Unlike Pakistan, laws and regulations are enforced and followed by everyone. If you don’t wish to spend time at police station or deported back, try to keep your personal views to yourself.

Fear of Opposite Gender:

The way most Pakistanis are raised is a little different than world. Any sort of opposite gender interaction is not much

appreciated no matter what your age is or who you are. Not knowing much about opposite genders, people usually fear the difference. Not many females would interact with males unless there is some important issue and still try to avoid it as much as possible. Same goes for the males.

In most developed countries, people are liberal. They don’t very much take it as boundary. They understand the difference and respect it but you will see many boys talking to girls and many girls talking to boy casually just like they do to same gender person. This will happen to you too. In such case, instead of freezing at the moment you should kill this fear in advance. Understand that genders may be different and there are some boundaries you must abide but no one is going eat you. All are humans and you must respect everyone and be formal instead of ignoring.

Taking Study Lightly:

Here is another mistake and I would say the most common one that Pakistani students do while studying abroad. Most Pakistani students don’t put much effort in their studies. The always leave their study tasks to tomorrow that never comes. Education in Pakistan is not very good in quality. Many students don’t learn much and just memorize important things from syllabus night before exams and they still pass. The bad news is that it is not going to happen while studying abroad. You will have to put all your efforts into your studies in order to survive. It will be more difficult for you as you will be a foreigner student and that education and teaching style would be new and different for you. To get used to it and for better understanding in class room, you will have to study regularly. Unless you change this habit before going abroad for education, be prepared to drop semesters.