Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Setting foot away from home
A New Country. A New University. New Friends. A New Life. Sound exciting? Definitely! Yet, in the exhilaration of planning and preparing for one of the biggest journeys they will take in life, students often forget the realities of the many issues they will have to face when alone in another country.

It is only when the first pangs of homesickness, and the overwhelming realisation that everything familiar to oneself is an ocean away, sets in, that the real challenge begins. Faced with the right attitude and coping mechanisms, university life abroad can be an incredible experience, but what exactly does it take to survive out there?

Sameeha, 25, who obtained her degree in Psychology in Madras, India, believes that friends play a major role in finding your way. “I was so excited before I went, having so many dreams of what it would be like. But reality turned out to be quite different,” she laughs, “I wanted to return home on the next plane!” However she says that she was lucky enough to meet some wonderful people who became her friends and though the first year was a bit hard, she managed to settle in afterwards, and thereafter had a wonderful time. Peer pressure counts a lot when you’re away from home, and a good set of friends can keep you from going astray, she says. She also says that studying abroad gave her a lot of confidence, in that she had to take complete responsibility for her life, and enjoyed the challenge of doing so.

Shanik, 27, who completed a degree in Industrial Economics at Warwick University, says that studying overseas, was for him, “a fantastic experience.” Although the initial homesickness was there, it soon passed away in the excitement of the many new and exciting experiences of university life. He adds that the university held an induction programme in the first week, where they were introduced to other new students, given a background of British culture, and basically shown the ropes, which helped immensely in coping during the following weeks. He adds that “More than the academic benefits, studying abroad can teach you how to manage your life.”

“Getting into an independent lifestyle, being self driven and responsible were positive points,” says Nalini (name changed), 25, a student at RMIT University, Australia, who says that the fact that her parents called everyday during the first weeks, helped a lot. Also, having a part time job, keeping busy with studies and making friends, gradually helped her to settle in, and now, she feels fortunate to have had the exposure of living and studying in another country.

Having an open mind, gearing oneself physically and mentally for the challenges ahead, and being prepared to tackle the best as well as the worst that comes your way are factors that should be considered by students. They should have the maturity and poise to take control of every aspect of their lives, as there may be no one to help or advise them at critical moments.
Santushi Amarasuriya, a Psychologist at Sahanaya National Mental Health Organisation, says that when students plan to go abroad for higher studies, they put a lot of focus on preparing themselves physically. Until the very last moment, clothes, food items, and other necessities are accumulated, and in this commotion, the need for mental preparation is often put aside.

The young people who are about to undergo this major life experience are often those who have previously had a large support system of family and friends in every phase of their lives. They are just leaving the protected environment of school and home to make a transition into a broader social network. When that transition is made in a foreign culture, without the support of loved ones, a great deal of strength of character and self confidence is needed to tackle the task, and it is up to the parents as well as students themselves to prepare for this.

Firstly, students need to be secure about who they are, and where they come from. Rather than try to change themselves in the attempt to fit into the new environment they are in, they should be proud of their individuality and culture. People will always admire you for sticking to your beliefs, and will find you far more interesting if you introduce them to your own culture and values, rather than aping their own, she adds.

Also, when students go overseas, they are given an incredible amount of freedom, such as they have never had before. With no parents to watch over you, and university regulations far more lenient than what one has been used to in school, the sudden lack of restrictions can seem amazing. Yet, one must realise, that with this freedom comes responsibility and choices. When you become the sole decision maker in your life, you must have the wisdom and courage to make the right decisions, because those decisions will reflect your maturity as a person. It is important, says Santushi that parents and children discuss potential situations and the right or wrong choices that it is possible to make.

As every life experience leaves its mark, the years spent studying in another country will definitely leave a distinct impression on your character. The opportunity to obtain an international education, exposure to different living conditions, visiting places of historical and cultural value in a foreign land all these will serve to broaden your horizons and give you a wider perspective of life. So pack your bags, take a deep breath and face the world!

Before you land
1. Read and find out as much as possible about the country and its people before you go.

2. If possible, try to choose a university in a country where a relative or friend may be living, so that you will have someone to help you through the initial weeks.

3. Be academically prepared. Go through the course syllabi and material beforehand, so that you will have a head start when it comes to studies.

4. Have a clear idea of where you are going to live. If you have to find your own accommodation, try to arrive well ahead of when college starts, so that you will have time to settle in.

5. Keep in touch with friends and family back home. Don’t hesitate to discuss problems. Many students do not want to worry their parents unnecessarily. But it is important for parents to continue giving the same support and guidance as when the children were at home.

6. Make use of any induction courses the college may be offering.

7. Join any clubs or organisations that may interest you, within the college, and make use of the opportunity to meet people and make friends.

8. Be proud of who you are and what you stand for. Don’t let peer pressure or other influences coerce you into doing something you don’t feel comfortable with.

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