Studying Abroad: Tips and Tricks to Making the Most of Your Experience

Picture yourself plopped in a country where people do not speak English, you only have a basic knowledge of the local language, and generally speaking, there is little racial diversity. This is the typical setting for most study abroad students. Studying abroad will expose you to various experiences. The best advice I can give you is be open to the experiences and culture shock.
Several common new experiences revolve around food, location, language, and culture.
Food: When experiencing food in a foreign country, the food will not only be different from American food, but the preparation style will also vary. For example, while most American vegetables are boiled, in China, where I studied abroad, vegetables were often sautéed, which in my opinion, is awesome! China actually helped me like my former foe, vegetables. So, have an open mind, and sample the local food.
Location: In terms of location, I mean that your study abroad location may differ from your home location or college/university location. For example, hailing from San Francisco, going to school at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, was a location shock for me. I was not used to very slow public transit and the need to drive. But being from San Francisco and being an avid fan of public transit, the transition to Shanghai was not a major shock. However, for some of the people in my program, living in a city, hailing taxis, and using public transit was a new experience. Generally speaking, it was a good experience, but there have been times when my friends and I have been appalled. For example, in Shanghai, sometimes taxi drivers do not know where they are going, and while that was frustrating, I got to know the city better and learned to either take the subway everywhere, or how to describe my destination well so as to avoid any confusion.
Language: Many students travel abroad to better learn a language by being immersed in it. From chatting with friends who have been abroad and from my own experiences, I’d say that generally, most people are friendly and willing to help a foreigner who is trying to speak their native tongue. This is awesome for us; as study abroad students, we have more partners outside of our classmates to chat with! And, hopefully you’ll begin thinking in the language you’re studying.
Culture: Usually, this is the largest shock of the bunch. Having an open mind will benefit you the most in this case. You will encounter some Americans who cling to their Western ideas, standards, and culture. No offense to them, but don’t hang out with them; they will hinder your experience. Instead, find locals to hang out with. In the Alliance for Global Education Shanghai University of Finance and Economics program, we had Chinese roommates, and my Mount Holyoke Class consisted mostly of Chinese graduate students. Therefore, befriending them and hanging out with them was not too much trouble, but if finding local friends is not this easy, join clubs, sit at coffee shops, or strike up conversations at a gathering or party. Being interested in flea markets and art galleries, I looked online for those types of events and went to them. At these events, I meet expatriates and locals alike and became good friends with them. Another way to ease into the culture is to find people who will go to cultural events and places with you. For example, a Mount Holyoke alum and I became friends, and we would walk around Shanghai, taking in the culture and cuisine everywhere we wandered. It was a great way to not only gain more insight into the Chinese culture, but also to bond with a friend.

So go study abroad, and keep an open mind! Email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions or want to chat about your study abroad experience!