November first marks two months that I?ve been in Vienna and the exact halfway point of my time here. The initial shock has subsided and I have settled into my new home and new routine. But, while my original expectations are still fresh in my mind, I wanted to share with you the things I didn’t expect about studying abroad.
Getting sick
Traveling is really hard on your body. Planes, trains and busses are all riddled with germs and bacteria left by travelers from all over the world. This paired with sleepless nights and less than desirable eating habits (read ?doner kebap for the third time this week?) can leave you feeling sluggish and worn down. I personally have been sick a couple of times this semester and everyone I know has caught a bug at least once. Definitely not ideal. I have a few tips below for how you can avoid being stuck in bed.
- Bring ALL of your medicine. Really, if you?ve used it in the last year, bring it. There is almost a 100% chance that where you are going they will not have your favorite brand or maybe even have it at all.
- Emergen-C is your best friend. Have it with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Don?t be afraid to call a doctor. The CISI insurance you have to buy will cover any medical expenses. Just be sure to call the number on your insurance card to set up an appointment. They are extremely helpful! When I had the flu, they sent a doctor to my apartment within an hour at 11 o’clock at night!
Know that you may not end up visiting your dream place and that is okay!
When I was planning for study abroad my number one travel destination was Amsterdam. After trying and trying to plan a trip and almost buying a plane ticket that was way too expensive I finally accepted that it just may not work out this time. Instead, I searched for any flight from Vienna and picked one of the cheapest. In a few days, I leave for Bucharest, Romania, which I can assure you was never on my top destination list. But what other time is there to travel to Romania and explore Transylvania. So, plan and do all of your dreaming, but when it comes time to go, keep an open mind. Don’t be afraid to go off of the beaten path. It may turn into the adventure of a lifetime!
Doing things alone and loving it
I love meeting new people and spending time with friends, but there are few things more rewarding that doing something totally on your own. In fact, when it comes to spending a day at the museum or wandering through a park, I have come to find that I prefer to be alone. I would definitely challenge everyone studying abroad to be a lone wolf for a day!
Missing my hobbies
In College Station I am in dance and poetry organizations and spend the rest of my free time playing music or reading. I found it a little difficult to pack the things I would need to continue practicing those things abroad. One of my biggest pieces of advice would be to leave a little room in your suitcase to bring the things that make you happy. If I could reassess some of my packing choices, I would?ve brought a few more books and maybe tried to squeeze an instrument in!
Another option is to learn a new hobby! Without my usual arsenal of artistic outlets, I have taken to running or visiting museums in my free time. Again, just keep an open mind and roll with the punches.
Self-care
Mental health care is so so important while studying abroad. I think a semester abroad kind of gets this reputation for being a semester-long vacation, but it truly is one of the most challenging semesters of your college experience. It is often difficult to cope with being so far away from everything that is familiar. You will sometimes feel alienated and alone. Your usual support system is thousands of miles away, and while they offer encouragement and love it is really important to realize that almost 100% of your support and self-care has to come from you. I am currently working on putting together a guide to self-care while abroad. When I complete it, I will post a link in the comments!
Parties Abroad
There is this idea that international students party all the time. At the beginning of my time here I would feel guilty if I didn?t go out every time there was a party or outing. I felt as if I was somehow missing this quintessential experience that every international student should share. But that is crap. Believe me, there will be plenty of parties and you will go to a lot of them. Just realize that going out in Europe is expensive. Drink specials are almost non-existent in Europe and every club has a minimum 10-20 euro entrance fee. By the end of the night you could easily end up spending 50 euros. Think about the things you could do with 50 euros!
This experience is whatever you want it to be
Don?t stick to the status quo. Be intentional about planning your time here. Some students are just here for the party, and that is great for them. But just because people around you are going out every night doesn’t mean that that is the recipe for a successful semester abroad. Spend some time and think about what you really want out of this experience. What could you do here that you will remember for the rest of your life? What could you do that will challenge you? Get to the root of why you chose to do this. Really be intentional about the things on which you chose to spend your time and money. This is your experience and your time. When people ask you what you did during your semester abroad, just be sure you have a story that you are excited to tell.
Now, because I must: A photo gallery
