Are you a student who decided to start college in a foreign country? You are not alone. There are over 6 million international students in the world and they all face the same challenges. Moving to another country means you will find a different culture. The cuisine will surely be different too.
But you should not let these differences tear you apart, but bring you together. For sure you want to have a nice college life. It can turn out to be quite rewarding but enriching too. So, how could you do this? Here are a few tips that will help you maximize your college experience.
Inform on the Prices to Decide Your Budget
One of the first things you need to do before you actually move to another country to start your studies is to inform you of the prices. Depending on the country you move to, these can be more expensive or cheaper than your native country. But being aware of the prices for the most common ingredients and things you need will help you plan your budget accordingly.
For example, knowing the price of bread, water, beer, coffee, milk, and so on will help you know how to plan your finances. Moreover, knowing the price of accommodation, utilities, public transportation, and others will also help you shed more light on how to plan your finances.
It is also crucial to know the prices of a paper service in case you will need the advice of a professional writer. All these add up to your monthly budget, so being aware of all the costs and fees you need to pay will help you plan your budget.
Research Travel Options
Moving to a new country for quite a long time will enable you to discover the local culture and traditions. For sure some hidden gems around your study location wait for you to discover them. And the whole country has some nice places to visit, towns, hiking trails, viewpoints, and so on.
So, researching travel options available to students within the country is something recommended. You will make new friends you will travel with, so knowing a few things before you actually move there will help you understand which your options are.
Language Skills
Moving to a country with a different native language might raise some challenges for international students. All the street signs and names are in the local language, so maybe learning the basics will help you navigate the city and country easier. You will communicate easier in many contexts, such as bars, restaurants, or even in college. Duolingo is one of the best apps for this.
Join a Students’ Network
Another tip that will help you navigate college life easier is to join a students network. Many student NGOs set up Facebook groups to help them connect easier. At the same time, there are many workshops and induction events specially organized for international students. Make sure you take part in these, as long as your schedule and agenda allow you.
Find Out More About the Culture
Starting your studies in a different country comes with many benefits, but challenges as well. And one of these challenges is making contact with a different culture. They have different traditions and even different holidays. Gastronomy has different ingredients and dishes, so finding out which they are could make your students' years more valuable and enriching.
When you move to a different country, there are a few new things you will encounter and meet. This might feel challenging at the beginning, but you will become more and more aware of the benefits. Having contact with different perspectives, points of view, opinions, and even ideas on life will enlarge your perspective. Some of which you might not agree with, but they will surely be food for thought.
Eating Options
Another thing to gather more information on is your eating options. Many international students do not take care of their diet. And this is understandable. You have a hectic schedule, a full and busy academic life, so in some moments cooking your own meals might not be an option. When you have so many papers to write, group projects to work on, courses to attend, it becomes demanding to accomplish them all. And have a healthy diet at the same time is challenging.
So, researching the eating options you have will surely come in handy. For example, on many campuses, you can find a cafeteria or a canteen with prices affordable for students. There might be restaurants or pubs where you can eat out, you only need to find them. But sometimes eating out or ordering food might not be a suitable option for your budget.
So, having a few easy recipes to prepare ahead of time, if you have a kitchen available, would save you a lot of money. Of course, you might not have all the ingredients to prepare some homemade meals from your country. But you can get creative and have fun while cooking.
Ask For Help
One of the most important things international students need to keep in mind is that there might be moments when they feel overwhelmed. And that asking for help is not something strange, but normal and recommended. You can ask your colleagues for help, especially the native ones who might understand the grading system or what teachers have said easier.
You can ask support groups especially made for international students to help you with what you need. You can even ask teachers for help if you feel they are open to helping you. But the most important thing you should keep in mind is to not be afraid to do it.
Final Thoughts
As an international student, you will face a lot of new challenges and situations when you go to a foreign country to start your studies. Getting used to the local customs, norms, and culture might feel demanding. However, you should know that you are not alone and you can ask for help. Moreover, putting these tips into practice will help you make the most of your college years as an international student.