Getting used to college life is hard enough for students who go abroad to study. Since millions of international students have amazing experiences every year, there must be some must dos. Here are some things you can do to make sure that you have a great experience whilst studying abroad. These are a few tips that can help you to settle in well. No matter which part of the world you belong to, the problems faced by most students are similar. Hence, these are useful suggestions for you to consider.
Get Started
Talk to people who have studied abroad. You’re likely to hear that doing so was one of the most amazing and transformative experiences of their lives. Ask them to think back to the first few days. And you’re likely to hear a different perspective. There is a great degree of excitement for what’s ahead. But at the same time you could be experiencing feeling nervous, anxious, homesick, and many other emotions. These tips can help you push through the initial hiccups. And eventually these will help you make the most of your international study experience.
Attend Orientation
The first few days and weeks on a new campus in a new country can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to quickly get off on the right foot is to attend freshers’ orientation. This is aimed at helping all students familiarise themselves with what they need to succeed in school. Also, orientation is the perfect opportunity to learn about school activities. Plus, you get to know other students, and ask any questions. Attending orientation will help to get these things out of the way before classes start. And, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Participate in Class
You may feel lost the first few weeks or days. This is true particularly if your language speaking skills need some work. Participating in class will help your grade in many classes. And if you join in classroom discussions, it is also a great way to develop your understanding of the materials. The more you speak up, the more comfortable you’ll be speaking up. Soon your language skills will improve. Therefore, you have everything to gain by committing to be an active participant in class discussions.
Get Involved
University campuses are full of amazing opportunities to engage with the world around you. Whether you join a club, sign up for an intramural sports team, or start volunteering, there are near-endless ways to start getting to know other like-minded students and members of your campus community. Putting yourself out there can be hard, but remembering that all college students are in the same boat can help. While the primary purpose of getting involved is to make campus connections, you’ll also walk away with some ancillary benefits, such as the chance to hone leadership, communication, and other skills – all of which will look great on your resume.
Be Receptive
International students have to make the effort to settle in. What works very well you ask? Our advice is to try to talk to other students. If someone attempts to talk to you, give an enthusiastic and welcoming response. Also, you need to stop feeling isolated and start feeling comfortable. Even better? If you see someone who you feel comfortable with, make the first move to strike up a conversation.