10 Study Abroad Challenges You Will Face

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1. Language

The first challenge in a new country is most likely going to be the language. Even if you speak the language, or have learnt it before, the nuances and daily colloquialisms will throw you off. If you're in a country where you don't speak the first language, everything from asking for directions to ordering food for lunch will be a challenge at first. But don't worry, as time goes by, you will learn to adapt and know the names of your favourite dishes by heart.  

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2. Food

Food–it is a large part of most cultures, especially if you've been raised in Asia. Being away from home for the first time, you will miss the familiarity and comfort of the same food you grew up with. Especially if you are studying far from home, you may find the local food scary or even weird. But you shouldn't worry. While you may not find the same home food you have been eating all your life, each country has areas populated by a large majority of immigrants. Whether you are looking for Chinatown or Little India, or even German or Iranian food, there should be an area in the city full of people like you, looking for a taste of home.  

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3. Phone

Setting up a new phone number will be challenging. You will have to remember it so that you can give it to your friends and family back home. You will need to remember it so that you can give it to the people you have just met. Another thing you should watch out for is an insanely high phone bill. If you're away from home for the first time, it might be very tempting to call back a hundred times a day to talk to your friends and family and attempt to regain that comfort. However, you don't want to be broke at the start of your semester! Try using online communication apps and programs and setting Skype dates with your friends.  

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4. Currency

How many Ringgit is an Australian Dollar? How many Singaporean Dollars is a 100 Rupees? How many Pesos is a Euro? Currencies around the world have different denominations and values, and when you are in a new country, nothing is going to be as confusing as looking into your wallet and seeing bills you don't recognise. Bonus points to you if you can handle bills of different values that look similar without breaking a sweat.  

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5. Friends

Making new friends is incredibly tough. You will miss your childhood bestfriends and your high school classmates who knew all your quirks and habits. You will be nostalgic about that one friend of yours who knew just when you were annoyed at something. You will miss that one friend you used to hang out with in the evenings and talk about nothing. You will miss everyone you were used to. If you are an introverted person, then you will find it even harder to meet new people and try to make friends. The only advice we have for you is, it is worth it. While not every person you meet will become a good friend, and not every friendship will last, you will make some life-long friends at university. (Don't forget your old friends though! Keeping in touch with them can help combat homesickness.)  

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6. Culture

Moving to a new place can be shocking enough in terms of food, language, and people. Add customs and traditions to that mix, and you've got the perfect recipe to overwhelm any new student. While you may feel that you're too busy learning in your classes, taking some time to learn the local culture and customs will definitely benefit you. It is very easy to offend strangers when you don't know their traditions and customs. You may think you're being polite by taking your shoes off as you enter someone's house, but in many western countries, that is just rude. The same way, while it may be completely normal to refuse food or drinks at somebody's house in your country, in many Asian cultures, that is a direct insult to the host. Learning these nuances will benefit you for life.  

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7. Transport

Even within a country, different cities may have different transport systems. When you study abroad, however, transport can be a big challenge. Some cities are completely pedestrian unfriendly and you can't get around unless you are driving. With others, you can easily optimize your route via public transport. Yet others are ideal for riding a bicycle on idyllic roads with breath-taking views.  

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8. Time

Time zones are hard to navigate with. Your body could still be jet lagged and might be used to waking up at sunrise, which, in your country might be at 5.30 am. However, not only are you responsible for your own schedule now, you have to incorporate the time differences into this. Sunrise varies from 5am to 8am, depending on which country and time zone you are in. The same goes with sunset. You could be used to sunset marking the transition into evening, at around 5.30 pm. If you are studying in one of the Nordic countries however, the sun could be up all night at some points of the year. This would definitely be confusing for most students. One easy way to deal with this is to reset your body clock and force yourself to wake up and sleep at the same time for a month. Eventually, you'll get used to the new, confusing time changes.  

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9. Weather

It can be hard adjusting to the weather. If you been used to the changing of seasons and a cold, cold winter, the perpetually sunny tropics can be quite hard to deal with. If you have lived your entire life in a warm, rainy country, the winter may confuse you to no end. Dressing for different climates will take some getting used to. Especially when you also factor in the differences in fashion trends and culture in different countries.  

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10. Parents

Whether you've got the most easy-going parents ever, or the most over-bearing ones (or in rare cases, both!), they will be worried about you. While this concern comes from a good, loving place, your challenge will be to show your parents that you are capable enough to take care of yourself and be responsible about your studies and life.