Why First Year of Studying Abroad Is Most Difficult to Manage

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Wednesday — September 13, 2017

By:Study Abroad

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When a student thinks of studying abroad for the first time, it scares him/ her a little. After all, studying abroad is a big step to take, you have to move to a faraway foreign land and start a new life independently. Study abroad always brings answers to all the confusions and questions a student might have. Today, we will be counseling you on the fear of studying abroad and why it is legit to be afraid.

Let me tell you that as big step as studying abroad may be, it is only the first year that is difficult to manage. All your problems and fears will only be for the first year and in some cases even less than a year. First year of studying abroad is most difficult for quite a few reasons. Once you have overcome these problems, all rest of the journey will go smoothly. Let’s get down to business now.

1 - A lot of Expenses

This is actually the biggest problem for the students of first year. You have to cover living and educational expenses every year or semester of your studying abroad. But why is the first year most expensive? You have to make some additional expenses in this year. First of all don’t forget all the resources you will have to spend on getting admission, counseling, visa, tickets, shopping etc. Though these are made while in homeland but it really puts a burden on your pocket.

First year or semester also costs more than others. When you arrange an accommodation whether On campus or Off campus, some amount has to be spend on the name of security fund in addition to rent. There may also occur a need for shopping according to weather and fashion. Whenever you are new to a place, living costs a lot more because you don’t know much about the place. You don’t know what to eat, where to eat and how to travel. It takes some time to arrange yourself according the new life. These expenses will come as a shock at first and one doesn’t even realize where did all the money go.

2 - Getting Used to New Culture

This is actually a fun part of studying abroad but it causes a bit of trouble at first. We can’t behave in a new society like we do in our homeland. Cultures are different in every part of the world. Some things that may be respected or fun in our culture can be offensive to other cultures.

You will get to see all new things, new style and new dressing that may even be a little uncomfortable at start. Then there is also the language barrier. Languages barrier is definitely a problem in Non-English countries but it can also be tough in English countries. There are always miscommunication issues in the first few months. You see, accents also matter. It wouldn’t be nice to ask someone to repeat again and again still not understand them. It certainly makes its due contribution in making your first of studying abroad most difficult.

Do You Know About Cultural Shocks While Studying Abroad and How to Deal With It

3 - Ragging

No one likes this phase. First year of college and university are most difficult because of some seniors who just want to have fun but makes others life miserable. You must be aware of the term Ragging or sometimes referred to as Hazing. Whether you go new to student hall of residence, campus, or a society/club; you will definitely not be treated nicely. It is kind of a tradition in all universities around the world to humiliate and make things difficult for new comers for fun.

While you are getting over the fact that you are very far away from your family and have to live an independent life from now on, ragging adds up to put you in inferiority complex. Feeling vulnerable in such situation is normal plus you get homesick. And homesickness is not be taken lightly. If you don’t know what is homesickness, here click the link to learn about homesickness and its solution. If you are sensitive, be prepared to cry inside, alone at nights.

4 - No Friends

You don’t actually make good friends. They just become. Normally, it takes time to get comfortable with someone. You will make good contacts in class and with roommates but you don’t get best friends right away. In my first year of undergraduate, I made friends with four other boys and we would hang out and eat together but by the end semester we were all apart with different people. We did become friends but we did not have what it takes to be best friends.

Best friends basically come to you, you don’t have to try. It may take time. A good friend is a blessing and you won’t have any in starting of studying abroad. You will miss sharing your feelings and time with someone. But the people you will meet at start, who won’t be best friends, will somewhat make it easier for you.

5 - No Job

Again to finances. Sometimes I wish there was no money, cash or finances sort of thing. So, we won’t be rich or poor. No one will have to work full day just to earn enough to barely make a living. With all the expenses you are going to face while studying abroad, having no job will make it more difficult. Students usually just go abroad thinking they will start working and earn their living. Students do work in a foreign country however not for first few months.

You will first have difficulty in even studying and taking lectures. If you manage yourself and your time fast still most countries don’t let students start a job right away. You may be required to wait a few months before you are permitted to do a job. Even if you are permitted to get a job, still, how would you get a job. You have no friends, family or contacts there so it will definitely be tough to find a job. Having no job will make it more hard to afford your living. But you do get a job after a few months and everything gets on track.

Usama Ahmed Awan

The Editor of StudyAbroad.pk, Usama is a BZU studied Software Engineer, now a Teacher, Article Writer, Educational Counselor and Journalist. He has been writing to assist students selecting the right career path.