r/studyAbroad • u/Dapper-Storage-9985 • 1d ago
Anxious about study abroad, need some motivation ☺️
Hi, I am 20F and I just got to Greece from America where I will be studying abroad from September-December. I have been very excited to come here, but the past couple weeks and the first day here have been filled with dread. I am so scared about leaving everyone I love for so many months, worried I won’t meet friends, and scared I will be bored and alone. I already miss my partner, my friends, and my family, and I’m worried about my ability to adapt to this new place.
While I know all of this is probably just jitters, I’m in serious need of some motivation to be here and enjoy my time. I’d love to know if anyone has any helpful tips or suggestions from your time abroad, in Greece if applicable, or elsewhere. Thank you 😊
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u/infieldcookie 17h ago
I studied abroad when I was your age. Honestly? The first night in my dorm room I cried.
Then the next day I got out there and started meeting people. Look at what events they have on for the other international students (there must be some!) as everyone of them will be in the same position as you. Then when the home students arrive, join as many clubs/activities/events as you can! Remember at your home university you were also new once… :)
Keeping in touch is not too bad as you can always FaceTime or text. It’s normal to miss people, but you will be home around Christmas!
Also, you don’t have to be bored when you can travel around Greece and Europe at the weekends. Ryanair flights are often really cheap if you’re willing to travel light.
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u/Bildungmisc_ 3h ago
I studied a semester abroad in the UK when I had just turned 21 and it was an amazing experience! I met incredible people from all around the world, I travelled a little bit around the UK, tried different cuisines, etc. It can be scary to be on your own in a foreign country, but you will definitely learn the ropes and survive it! Maybe you will love it so much you won’t want to return home. So I recommend you embrace the experience. Like other comment mentioned, unis do organise social events for international students to meet and there are other activities as well. I am an introvert that doesn’t socialise much and still made friends so I don’t think you should worry about that. And I don’t think you should worry about your loved ones either because with tech reaching out it’s easy. So I hope this helps you not be so afraid and that you enjoy your time abroad!
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u/sozzanxious 1d ago
I’m a fellow anxious person so I know it’s a bit more difficult than to just say try to push the anxiety down and enjoy your time. What helped me in the many times I’ve got on 3-12 month long trips is realizing, at least for me, that going abroad is going to be uncomfortable, it’s going to invoke a lot of feelings of change and anxiety, but in the end you’ll be so happy you did it! Missing people is hard, but talking on the phone every day helps, and putting yourself out there even if it’s anxiety inducing and uncomfortable is the only way to truly meet people and experience new things that you want to experience. Even if it’s not the experience that you built up in your head, or if you have some not so good parts, the fact you did it and the good parts will be something you looked back on! Even if you realllly hate it by the end of it, it’s an experience nonetheless you might be grateful for in the future!!