10 Real Tips for Making Study Abroad the Best Time of Your Life

Studying abroad isn’t just an academic experience, it’s an enriching way to navigate the world and foreign cultures like a local. From making new friends and trying new dishes to gazing upon awe-inspiring landscapes, studying abroad is a soul-nourishing journey. 

However, having an amazing opportunity doesn’t automatically lead to having the best experience. The more you put into your study abroad experience, the more you’ll get back! 

Read on to find out 10 ways to make the most of your study abroad experience! 

Before you pack your bags and board your flight, you need to define your program goals. That is, what do you actually want to get out of studying abroad? 

While some students want the chance for academic growth in a reputable university, others prioritize personal growth. Another may use their study abroad opportunity to get their foot in the door working in a particular field abroad.

Here’s how you can define your program goals:

• Define your “why”: Defining your “why” can help shape your study abroad experience into exactly what you want. If you want to maximize cultural immersion, engage with the local population and native festivals! If it’s work experience that you seek, look for internships! Travel on weekends if seeing the world is your priority! 
• Create your study abroad travel bucket list: After researching the country’s history, local cuisine, and natural wonders, create a bucket list of all of the things that you want to do in your new “home away from home”. Whether you want to gaze upon Machu Picchu in Peru, learn to Tango in Argentina, or cook spaghetti from scratch in Italy, creating a to-do list will help you complete travel goals abroad. 

Although your first week abroad can be nerve-wracking, putting yourself out there during orientation will pay dividends in the long-run. During orientation, other international students will be excited, nervous, and apprehensive about not only living abroad but meeting new people. 

Putting yourself out there by asking and answering questions, greeting people, and presenting an approachable demeanor establishes a strong precedent and confidence early. People will naturally gravitate towards you because they see a friendly and welcoming presence that puts them at ease. Even if you feel nervous, remember to “fake it until you make it!” 

Studying abroad offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a foreign culture like a local. While travelers skim the surface of a country, international students have a greater cultural insight potential. You’re not just a tourist, you’re living in a foreign country like a local! 

Here are some of the ways you can embrace the culture and leave your mark by integrating with the local community: 

• Learn the language: Learning the language will help you gain deeper insight into the culture and make local friends organically. From ordering your coffee to greeting the local vendors, learning the language opens doors to immersive interactions with the local population. Learn through language schools, exchange meet-ups, or apps like Duolingo or Ling! 
• Join local clubs: Joining local clubs, whether it's a gym, soccer team, book club, or other, puts yourself in a great position to make friends and integrate with the local population. 
• Volunteer: Volunteering abroad is a great way to make a lasting impression on the local community. Volunteer organizations range from helping the homeless to combating pollution and caring for stray animals. Not only do you get to make a difference, but you get to meet people and gain valuable experience.  
• Live with a host family: Living with a host family can increases your sense of belonging and enhance cultural immersion. From the dinner table to outdoor excursions, you’ll form a strong bond with a local family and learn more about their culture with each passing day.

Read more: Why You Should Learn a Language While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is a huge feat in itself. As an international student, you’re already in a new culture making new friends, why not take it a step further by trying novel experiences? 

Instead of ordering your favourite pizza, why not try unfamiliar local dishes? Rather than spending your weekends chilling at home, consider a weekend of shadowing monks at a Buddhist temple! Trying new things will expand your comfort zone, increase independence, and open your mind up to new challenges and opportunities in life.

While it may be intimidating putting yourself out there, remember that studying abroad is about experiencing new things. Maybe you love karate, Irish tap dancing, or Chinese century eggs, but you just don’t know it yet! Studies even show that taking part in novel experiences are amazing for your mental health!

Even if this counts as “solo travel”, sharing study abroad memories with new friends can enhance your experience tenfold. Making friends with local people allows for greater cultural knowledge and also community integration. On the other hand, befriending international students allows you to learn from other cultures and opens opportunities for future travel with friends. 

Making meaningful friendships and connections abroad - whatever their background - will only increase your sense of belonging in this new country.

Read more: How to Make Friends While Studying Abroad

While study abroad is amazing for opportunities for personal growth, don’t forget to leverage academic opportunities! This doesn’t just mean putting in effort in the classroom, but you can take advantage of unique courses, research opportunities, and academic resources available at your host institution.

Additionally, your learning doesn't have to be confined to the classroom. You’re in a new country with its own unique culture and history, so make use of the living museum! Your host country may have a wealth of interesting exhibits outside of the classroom. Whether you’re a historian, architect, engineer, or biologist, your host country will offer extensive insight into a unique foreign climate. 

You may have long weekends and school holidays that offer a great opportunity to travel while studying abroad. While you may be tempted to travel to a different country (if your visa allows it), consider spending most of your time in your host country. It’s more immersive to travel more in one place than barely scratch the surface of another. 

A country isn’t one-dimensional, and traveling to different areas offers unique insights into sub-cultures and different lifestyles. China’s coastal cities are vastly different to those near its southwestern plain. While northern Italy exhibits influence from France and Switzerland, southern Italy offers a more Mediterranean climate and lifestyle. 

However, don’t neglect what’s right under your nose. Be sure to experience the hidden and not-so-hidden gems in your new city before venturing further afield! 

Studying abroad can do wonders for our personality and life, but it isn’t a substitute for self-care. It’s important to prioritize your mental health and wellbeing while you’re abroad.

Here’s how you can optimize your mental health while studying abroad in a foreign country. 

• Anticipate culture shock: Culture shock is almost inevitable, especially if you’re a first-time traveler. Rather than resisting culture shock, anticipate it. After the “honeymoon phase”, expect cultural differences to irk you from time to time, and find ways to mitigate these negative feelings.
• Establish a routine: A routine can help you find your rhythm and feet in a new country. Your routine can include consistent exercise, reading, post-class coffee, a self-care ritual, or anything else productive to your wellbeing! Remember, a routine should help you, not enslave you! 
• Prioritize outdoor time: Regardless of whether you’re wandering the streets or picturesque parks, outdoor time can help you be mindful of the unique opportunity that not many people can afford. If you’re feeling down, even a short walk can help alleviate stress and offer mindfulness.
• Journaling: Not only will journaling help you look back on fond memories in the future, but it offers plenty of self-help and healing properties. Journaling is cathartic, and conveying your honest thoughts can help decrease stress and anxiety by externalizing anything that’s bothering you!  

Read more: 10 Ways to Cope with Homesickness Abroad

While you want to have fun abroad, you don’t want to have too much fun, and by too much fun we mean losing track of your expenses. You’ll need to be mindful of your spending and manage your finances wisely. 

Here are some of the ways you can watch your wallet while studying abroad:

• Track budgets and expenses: Although it may seem obvious, tracking expenses on a budgeting app is a great way to be more mindful of your spending. Set a monthly budget and consider overestimating how much you’ll spend to allow more margin for error. Surplus money can go towards a weekend away with friends or another treat!
• Embrace budget-friendly activities: From visiting historic monuments, wandering through markets, observing idyllic architecture or venturing on scenic hikes, engaging activities don't have to break the bank.
• Consider shared accommodation: If you need to arrange accommodation yourself, consider shared housing. Not only is this effective in cost-cutting, it’s a great way to make friends! If you want to go one step further, staying with a host family will not only save you the most money but also enhance your cultural immersion. 

Read more: How to Budget for Study Abroad

Sometimes, you just need to slow down! Although a few months or a year may seem like a long time, this will one day be a memory. Be sure to slow down your time by being in the moment and enjoying the little things! Time flies by, especially when you’re loving your life abroad!

Take the time to slow down and appreciate the little things in your new country, whether this means savoring every bite of your local dish, people watching with your coffee, or rejoicing with each and every encounter you have with a local or your student friends. From mastering a language, trying unfamiliar foods, or simply journaling your reflections after class, every moment is an opportunity for gratitude, self-reflection, or growth.

Studying abroad is a rare and life-changing opportunity - one that offers far more than just academic credit. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, push your personal boundaries, and build memories that will shape your worldview for years to come. But the key to truly making the most of your experience lies in being intentional, open-minded, and present every step of the way.

Read more about studying abroad: 

• How to Prepare for Studying Abroad: 10 Things to Do Before Your Trip
• The Perks of Studying Abroad with a Third-Party Provider
• The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad Through Direct Enrollment