The recent influx of mesmerizing and breath-taking photos on social media news-feeds everywhere can only mean one thing: students from all over the world are beginning their fall semesters abroad. I’ve already joked with one of my friends currently in Copenhagen that I may have to temporarily “unfollow” her for the next four months so that my jealousy of her experiences doesn’t overwhelm me with nostalgia for my own.
For those of you going abroad this year, whether are still trying to settle in or you’ve not even quite yet arrived at your final destination, the first few weeks in your new home can feel as disorienting and exciting as your first few weeks at college did. Maybe you’re encountering a new language, maybe you don’t know anyone else in your program, or maybe you had an unpleasant time traveling there. You may find yourself introducing yourself over and over again, attempting to tell your story as a means of contextualizing your experiences abroad. Or maybe, you are asking yourself what in the world you have gotten yourself into.
To you I say, do not be discouraged if you aren’t quite ready to call this new place home just yet. Just as it took time to adjust to college, it will take time to adjust to life abroad. With that being said, here are some pieces of advice to help you feel acquainted more quickly. Pieces of advice that I wish I had known during those first, overwhelmingly exciting, yet confusing and terrifying first weeks abroad.
- Get Lost.
On the first day of my abroad program, I remember the director of the program recommending that we let ourselves get lost at least once in Copenhagen. I remember thinking, “You’re telling us to get lost? 
- Set the Tone
Though you’ll have opportunities to change the course of your semester depending on how your goals change, the first impressions you make with your new school, country, host family, or roommates can very much influence the entirety of your semester. Always be gracious, polite, respectful and communicative with those with whom you interact on a daily basis. Whether you know it or not, many people you encounter may view you as an ambassador and reflection of the United States and Americans as a whole, especially if you do not physically fit in with the locals. Don’t let that intimidate you or burden you; rather, use it as an opportunity to engage in cultural dialogue. The locals may be very curious to talk to you or practice their English, and if you feel comfortable, doing so may help you feel more welcome.
- Do your Research
If you know people who already did your abroad program, you may have already acquired a list of notable or must-do things. That’s a great start, but if you are feeling overwhelmed, look into what sites, restaurants, museums, or parks are typically popular or full of history. Though these landmarks may be touristy, they can also serve as a good starting point to acquiring a sense of the country’s history and culture.
In a similar vein, make sure you familiarize yourself with particular customs, cultural expectations and norms, and the laws of the country of your stay. Whether it’s biking or drinking laws or national holidays and celebrations, having a knowledge base about your new home can make you feel more informed and prepared.
- When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do
The most helpful thing I think you can do during your first weeks abroad is to play the observer as much, and as often, as you can. Whether that means sitting on your apartment balcony and watching the world go by, sitting in a park for awhile, or taking a step back at the dinner table to see how your host family acts, acquiring a sense of how things work in this new place can be both grounding and informative.
Though it may feel comforting to go to an American style fast-food restaurant, do as the locals do instead. Talk to people, see what they do on the weekends or on a nice day, where they hang out or eat or do their shopping. Not only will you start to feel like you blend in more, but also will ultimately have a more culturally enriching experience by modeling the locals. Though you likely will crave the stability and comfort of home, you must avoid trying to re-create your American life in a different country. Your American life, in some ways, will be quite incompatible with the new culture in which you are immersing yourself, so try not to shy away from that.
- Stay in Touch, but Don’t Cling
The very first night in my “kollegium” was one of the loneliest I felt during my time in Denmark. I was tired, cold, and alone in my studio apartment and I remember thinking, “What did I get myself into?” My first inclination was to call my mom and beg her to let me come back home or to compare experiences with my other friends abroad in different countries. To some extent, staying in communication with my friends and family back home really helped me get through that first week. Knowing I had a group of people supporting me and anxiously waiting to hear about my experiences gave me comfort and just enough courage to get to know the other Americans and Danes in my kollegium – and I am incredibly happy that I did because in that first week, I met four of my best friends and semester long companions.
Though it may feel easy to lock yourself in your room and Skype with everyone back home, give yourself the space and the opportunity to be present in your new country. Don’t cling to everything you know so strongly that it prevents you from ever trying something new or stepping outside your comfort zone. Your family and friends will be there for you when you return home, but this new place and semester won’t. Take advantage of the many opportunities that await you just outside your door.
It may feel foreign and overwhelming now, but soon, you will start to call this new place home and it will hopefully always have a special place in your heart. In the meantime, reach out to the locals, call home if you need to, and take it all in, day by day. You will start to feel more settled as each awkward-in-a-good-way day goes by.
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Are you abroad this semester or thinking of going abroad soon? Have more tips on how to survive those first exciting weeks abroad? Share in the comments below!
[accordion_tab title=”Collegiate Correspondent: Sarah Brown” default]
