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Category: Living Abroad

Living AbroadadminOctober 8, 2023
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How To Handle Stress While Studying Abroad

Starting a new life in a foreign country while pursuing your higher studies can be a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience for any new student travelling abroad. However, a student spending college life abroad can become stressful along the way as there will be many difficult situations which a student may face that needs to be overcome by applying the right solutions. Here are some of the most common stressors which international students could be faced with during their academic years and the solutions for each which could help you get through your college life stress-free.

Stress can also affect health-related behaviors. Stressed students are more likely to have problems with disrupted sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

1. Homesickness

Once you have arrived at your host country, it is natural to feel a little homesick. This is because of the loneliness you might feel as you are probably miles away from your home, family and the general lifestyle you were used to before, and the new lifestyle you need to get adjusted to might seem daunting and can give rise to culture shock. If you can divert your focus on the difference in living situations in your new environment compared to what you were used to before and focus on gradually getting adjusted to your surroundings and its people, you will be able to experience the perks of living in a foreign country such as new and exciting places or things you can indulge in.

2. Difference In Language

Your new neighborhood is likely to be speaking in their native language which would be posing a difficulty for you to communicate and interact with the locals, which can develop a lot of stress in you even when getting assistance with navigation. It might be particularly difficult for international students as some of their classes might be taught in the country’s native language which makes it hard for students to understand what they are taught. In such a situation, you should challenge yourself to interact with people where you will not be able to find someone who speaks your language to assist you, which helps you to develop your communication skills.

3. Setting High Expectations

You or your parents might have invested a large amount of money for you to travel to a foreign country to pursue your higher study, which will make you feel like you should do well above your potential to excel in your course. Setting unrealistic expectations on yourself is not practical and will lead to severe stress which you will not be able to cope with when going through your course years. Instead of setting absurd standards on yourself to achieve more than what your potential allows you to do, come to an understanding with yourself to accept your true potential and work towards your goal of doing well in your course at a healthy pace. It will help you get through your course at ease with a sound mindset.

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Living AbroadadminOctober 21, 2023
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Prepare As Parents When Sending Your Child To Abroad

As parents it could be hard to comprehend how to stay away from your child for an extended period of time. However, if you have made the decision to let your child pursue his or her chosen path in the academic field in an overseas university, you have made a wise and brave choice in molding your child’s future. You as the parent will have a few responsibilities to consider before and after you have sent your child abroad for their studies. Here is a list of factors you should look in to before your child makes a decision about their academic path, and after your child is settled to study abroad in a foreign country.

1) Do Some Ground Work

You need to discuss with your child about the goals they want to achieve by studying abroad. As a parent you are able to advice and support your child with their decision and lay out the path for them to achieve those goals. You will also need to do some extensive research on the subjects and courses your child has chosen for themselves, the overall atmosphere of the universities they are interested in and the area in which they would be living in to ensure their safety.

2) Estimate The Expenditure You Will Have To Pay

Sending your child abroad for higher studies will include many areas in which you will have to allocate money for, such as the tuition fee, food, travel, communication, accommodation and health expenses. Making an estimate of the total cost by taking all these factors in to account will enable you to make an informed decision.

3) Communicating With Each Other

Once your child is settled in the new country and with their course, you need to decide on a schedule and a medium through which you can communicate with your child. Find out what your child’s schedule is when it comes to their daily routine of classes, travelling and doing chores and agree on a specific time to speak with each other. This will ensure that you keep being connected to your child even though you are miles apart, without hindering their personal space. You can choose one of many digital platforms available, such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, e-mail, etc. to stay connected.

4) Give Ample Emotional Support

Your child is likely to experience a completely different environment when they are abroad, compared to which they were used to back at home. Sometimes, if not often, it may lead to stress and anxiety in your child and you would be the one they look to find solace. It is your duty to listen intently and support them to help them get themselves back on track. Assure your child that they will be able to get adjusted to the new environment if they give it some time and make an effort to explore their surroundings.

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Living AbroadadminNovember 10, 2023
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Managing Your Cash While Studying Abroad

There are many challenges that you are likely to face when living and studying in a foreign country and one of them will be keeping track of your expenses. A foreign country will almost always hold a local currency which you are unfamiliar with, which can make it difficult for you to keep track of your cash flow. Here are some of the factors that you should consider in order to maintain a healthy spending habit when you are an international student.

Money management is the only strategy to survive in this crazy, stupid and doped financial world market.

1. Local Currency Exchange Rates

Exchange rates for foreign currency is always fluctuating, therefore always keep in track with how the exchange rates are changing in the country you are travelling to in order to determine how much of the cash you had will be spent. It is best to exchange your native currency through a government-run bank or an authorized agency for money exchange, who will charge lower rates compared to others.

2. Open Up A Local Bank Account

It will be most convenient for you when you open up a student bank account in your region. This will help you to keep track of your cash flow and manage the amount of money transactions you make when living far from home. Make sure that you choose a bank which do not impose a hefty charge for foreign money transfers, and which offers the highest benefits for international students.

3. The Amount Of Cash You Choose To Carry

When travelling abroad, the rule of thumb is never to carry too much cash with you. It is not only risky, but also if you exceed the legal limit you will be subjected to pay an excessive fine which is uncalled for. Always be mindful to carry enough cash to get you through your travel expenses, but not any above the limit allowed.

4. Budgeting Your Expenses

Creating a daily, weekly or even a monthly budget for yourself is the easiest and fool-proof method of managing your cash as an international student. By ensuring that you have allocated the necessary amounts for important things such as utility bills, rent, transport, travel, groceries and other factors you will be able to keep a track of how much money you will have spent on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

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Living AbroadadminNovember 15, 2023
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How To Socialize And Create A Strong Network

Socializing and networking goes a long way in opening up some great opportunities for you in your chosen career path. It is best when done at an early stage so starting it off from your college years would ensure a strong network of connections which can help you through your goal in career growth. By first finding out which type of networking suits you most, you will easily be able to experiment with a variety of networking methods to reach out to the right people. Here are some of the best means of socializing which will aid you to build and expand a strong network for yourself.

1. Starting With Your Immediate Surroundings

Networking can even start from the person sitting next to you during class, for instance. Go the extra mile and make time to speak to your classmates, peers, professors or even your library personnel to build up constructive relationships. Take your time and start interacting at your own pace to create a healthy network of peers.

2. Develop Interest In Participating At Network Events

Events designed specifically for students looking to network are great places to get to know your influential connections at ease. Make a habit of keeping yourself updated on the upcoming networking events through college notice boards or announcements. When taking part at the events, make sure you introduce yourself to as much participants as possible to determine and choose your associates, and swap your contact details with theirs.

3. Seek Membership At Student Clubs

Be an active participant of student communities and various clubs which pick your interest. You will be able to meet people of diverse personalities and interests from which you could spot the ones who you share similar interests with which also help to build your network.

4. Interaction With Professors

Your college professors are a gold mine of connections in their industry which they have built over the years, which will come as quite useful for building your own network. They will be able to give you heads up on upcoming networking events and guide you throughout the process. Most professors are able and willing to give you information on preferable internships you could take up, or job opportunities you could consider within your career path.

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Living AbroadadminDecember 23, 2023
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Most Helpful Study Tips For Students Studying Abroad

When you are an international student studying abroad, things are bound to look much different compared to how it used to be back home. It is likely that you will experience different teaching and learning styles which the college professors and domestic students adhere to, and you will be multi-tasking with a new daily schedule as opposed to your school days. Here are a few study tips which you can incorporate in to your own schedule while studying abroad.

1. Taking Notes

It may seem a bit daunting to keep up with the class if your professor’s teaching style is different to what you were used to back at home. By taking notes of every point which your lecturer writes up on the board and listening intently to him or her and noting down all the important points while dating each note will help you study what was taught in class in a structural and effective manner. Do not forget to go back and review all your notes prior to the next class in order to keep up with the flow.

2. Effective Time Management

Most students who travel abroad to study are living on their own, fending for themselves while juggling their study routines. Even though it seems impossible for any new international student to do the same, it can be done if you plan your schedule the way it works best for you. Without having to multi-task everything, you can allocate a certain time for all your other chores and for your studies respectively. In this way you can also practice mindfulness in doing what you do efficiently.

3. Choosing An Ideal Study Spot

Your college or university will be a great place to explore where you can find excellent areas allocated just for students to study. For example, the college library would be an ideal spot to do your studying and researching as the venue will be a quite spot and there is a wide selection of reference material for you to go through while studying.

4. Forming A Study Group With Peers

Studying together with your peers is an excellent method of learning efficiently, as you can discuss and debate amongst your friends on what you learn during classes. It is a method used by most college students as you can discuss amongst each other about any difficult areas which you find hard to understand and help each other to learn well.

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Living AbroadadminJanuary 10, 2024
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Tips To Seek Out Your Ideal Job In Your Career Path

Students who have gathered experience studying abroad possess a higher chance of landing themselves some amazing job opportunities in their chosen career paths, as most employers find it appealing when students have a strong résumé with years of experience living and studying abroad. After you have graduated from your college or university at the end of your course, your next immediate step will be to find out what opportunities are available for you within the career path you have chosen, whether it is to stay abroad and find a suitable job or find one back at home. Here are some of the options available for you to consider when making the right decision about your career.

1. Choosing To Work In The Country You Are Studying In

As an international student, you may want to stay back in your host country and pursue your chosen career path instead of finding work back at your own country. In some cases you will find it beneficial as your host country might have better and exciting job opportunities for you than what you would find back at home. It is wise to start early with planning your career options in this case, as there are restrictions applicable on student visa which prohibits students from seeking full time employment in that respective country in which case you will be required to apply for a new category of visa.

2. Finding Employment In Your Home Country

If you choose to return home and find an ideal job opportunity there, the process would be easier for you as you do not have to apply for a new visa and you will be more familiar with the employment industry in your own country. Your experience as an international student studying abroad will make a good impression on employers back at home, strengthening your career growth as you go up the corporate ladder.

3. Going Further With Your Studies

If you wish to continue your higher studies to a more advanced level, you might choose to do so and achieve an extra qualification, which will look great on your academic portfolio for future employment. There are many part-time job opportunities available which you could take up in order to cover your college expenses while focusing on your higher studies. You may wish to enroll in a new course in the university you are enrolled at currently, where your current university can guide you through arranging it for you, or you could research on other options outside your current university in which case you will need to plan ahead and enroll to join the right intake for you.

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Living AbroadadminFebruary 12, 2024
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What Skills To Gain As An International Student

Students who study abroad are benefited with many opportunities to enrich their interpersonal skills which are prone to be useful in both personal life and career path. It is through the journey of learning while travelling and experiencing various social situations which shapes a student in to developing new and essential skills to help them gain success in life. Here are some of the most prominent skills you will be able to learn and develop as an international student in a foreign college or university.

One of the lifetime benefits of studying abroad is the stories you create. All of the experiences combined, whether good, bad, difficult, or exciting, will add something to who you are as a person. In a new country surrounded by new people, it’s also the chance to discover a new you.

1. Language Skills

Probably the most notable skill you will learn while studying in a foreign land is learning their native language and how to communicate with the locals with their language, in turn helping you to develop your communication skills. This skill is beneficial for students in the future when working in their chosen industry to be able to communicate their ideas better and constructively which strengthens their career growth.

2. Adapting To New Environments

This is a skill you will naturally gain while living in a foreign country where you will have to adjust to the new environment in which you will be living in for a long period of time, as opposed to what you were familiar with back at home. You will have to get adapted to many new aspects of your new surroundings, including food, local currency, cultural norms, the people and weather. This skill will help you in developing adaptability to any situation you will face in life, and will also greatly help your career which may take you along different paths.

3. Ability To Problem-Solve

When living in a new and unfamiliar environment you are likely to be faced with many challenging situations which requires you to think hard and fast on how to manage the situation effectively, a skill which will have an immense positive impact on your career and life in general.

4. Boldness

Living and interacting with an unfamiliar community requires much courage and boldness, as you are likely to fend for yourself when living abroad as a student. Developing this skill means you will be molded in to a strong and courageous person who will be able to navigate through life situations bravely and without skepticism.

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Living AbroadadminFebruary 13, 2024
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What To Pack When Travelling To Study Abroad

You are set and ready to go ahead with the next step in the journey towards your chosen educational field, and all you have to do now is pack your bags and rush towards achieving your goal. However, the prospect of getting your essentials packed can always be an arduous task for any first time student travelling abroad, as you are required to put ample thought in to what you should be taking with you when travelling to study abroad. It all comes down to where you will be travelling to, and the environment in which you will be in. Here are some of the factors you need to consider when getting packed to go start your next step in your educational life, and what you should be packing accordingly.

1. The General Climate Of The Country

You must be informed of what sort of weather you will be dealing with in your chosen country, as some countries will either undergo the four seasons, fluctuating climates or have constant weather around the year. Therefore it is crucial to be equipped with the right set of clothing and gear to get to you through the weather.

 

2. The Neighborhood Societal Norms

Certain cultures of a number of countries adhere to specific societal norms which need to be respected by newcomers to the area. Wearing clothes which are not appropriated for the neighborhood you are in may not be wise, therefore research on the country’s cultural norms before choosing your attire.

 

3. Accessibility For Resources

Get to know how urban the region you are to stay in would be in order to make sure you have access to all the necessary resources. In the instance where your living quarters are at a considerable distance far from the nearest town, you may need to pack a convenient amount of goods you will need for the next three to four months while studying abroad.

 

Things To Pack For Study Abroad

Now that you are aware of how your living conditions are going to be, it is time to decide on what items you need to take with you when travelling abroad for your studies. Here is a list of essentials that you must be equipped with once you arrive at your destination.

Clothing

  • Standard clothing with minimal prints
  • Ample amounts of underwear
  • Comfortable travelling clothes
  • Comfortable shoes
  • A pair of flip flops
  • A set of winter clothes
  • Socks & Gloves

Electronic items

  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Laptop and charger
  • Two international power adapters
  • A power bank
  • Digital camera
  • E-reader and charger
  • USB sticks and memory cards

Toiletries

  • One toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Essential medicines and their prescriptions
  • Sunscreen
  • Pads / Tampons for a month (for the ladies)
  • Deodorant
  • Moisturizing lotion
  • Hair brush
  • Anti-allergens
  • Hand sanitizers

Miscellaneous Items

  • Passport, student visa 
  • Travel documents
  • Travel health insurance documents
  • Personal identification documents 
  • Backpack
  • Spectacles or sunglasses
  • Sleeping bag
  • Padlocks and keys for luggage 
  • A wallet or purse
  • Essential ccessories and jewellery

Gathering all your essentials for a stay abroad, especially when travelling to study, needs a lot of thought put in as you are staying miles away from your home for months at a stretch where you are bound to be living in a completely different environment from what you used to live in. Therefore it is important that you get yourself ready with a bare minimum of items which are most important to you when travelling.

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