Studying abroad: benefits, challenges, and how to overcome them

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to study abroad? How does it feel to be on your own in another country? How can you make all of that possible? Are you willing to do it? Then, I think this article might get you really interested.

Studying abroad has become an increasingly popular option for students in recent years, as it offers a unique opportunity to gain a worldwide perspective, immerse oneself in a new culture, and develop valuable skills that can be applied to one’s personal and professional life. Learning a new language, getting to know some cultures better, travelling a lot, and improving as a person are just a few of the advantages of studying abroad.

Living in a foreign country allows you to learn about different customs, traditions, and ways of life, and to gain a deeper appreciation for diversity and cultural differences. It can also be an excellent opportunity to improve language skills, as many universities offer language courses as part of their study abroad programs. Moreover, it is a chance to meet wonderful people from all around the world.

However, studying abroad is not without its challenges. Adjusting to a new culture and environment can be difficult, and homesickness and culture shock are common experiences. It is important for students to be prepared for all of the different types of challenges. Speaking from my experience, there are a lot of unexpected issues that can come along the way.

One of the biggest challenges of studying abroad can be the financial part and the homesickness. Fortunately, the Erasmus+ program has made these issues less common in recent years. The program itself contains a lot of good opportunities for every student that is signed up at a University across Europe. This means that every student in Europe has the right to go abroad for a minimum of one semester, enrol in another institution, study the same courses, and spend a few months living abroad.

Talking about the financial issues, the program covers almost all of the expenses for the student for the semester that they are going to follow abroad. That means that the program is offering a certain scholarship for all the students that are going to apply for the exchange program, and who will be accepted by their sending institution. With this help from the Erasmus+ program, almost everyone can take part in this kind of university exchange program, and experience a different kind of life.

It’s not just the financial part that international students can face during their stay abroad. Homesickness and loneliness can pose some problems as well. At first, you may feel lonely and sad because you will be far away from your friends and family. But do not worry, that is only the beginning and better moments will come. Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is something created to help with this kind of issue that some students might deal with. There are ESN associations all around Europe that are occupied with activities and events for all of the international (Erasmus) students in the city, which can actually be the perfect way for making some new friendships.

In conclusion, the whole program can be a life-changing experience that offers a lot of benefits. However, it is important to approach the experience with an open mind and to be prepared for the challenges and adjustments that come with living in a new culture and environment. For anyone reading this article who is still in the process of studying or hasn’t even started yet, take your courage and give yourself a chance for the best change in your life.

In the end, I want you to answer the four questions at the beginning. Did I convince you already?

David Stoilkovski