Deciding to study abroad comes with numerous questions and the very first inhibition is always about adjusting to a new country with different people and cultures. Even though many of us identify ourselves as travellers -we move our bases and can make a home anywhere in the world. But despite this, while pursuing higher education and crafting ways to a successful career, adjusting to a new country altogether might seem a daunting task.
Studying for a degree takes time and energy. In the US, earning a bachelor's degree takes four years and a master's takes one year. This might look like a long time but once the semester begins, these years pass in a flash. So here are some tried and tested quick hacks to make sure that your student years in a university abroad become some of the best years of your life.
1. Explore alumni network: This is the first thing you must do before you move to the US, connect with your university alumni via Linkedin, and inquire about the city, food, culture, and support programs available at the campus. Take it up a notch high by connecting with an international student, he/she will have personal experience to share as to what to expect as an international student. Several universities also maintain blogs written by current and former students. Use them to gain insights about your life in the US.
2. Get involved: As international students, most probably you will be opting for a residential program at least for your first year. A resident student gets an opportunity to participate in each and every event at the university whether it's a sport, musical, or any other university tradition. On the surface, these might appear like simple pastimes but they have a significant impact making you feel at home quickly in an international university. So remember to check out and participate in university annual activities, fairs, seminars, and hobby clubs along with your curriculum classes. A combination of silly and serious, these are all great ways to meet other students and make friends.
3. Get outside of your comfort zone: It's all about saying yes to new opportunities. You have the opportunity to do a variety of things you might not ordinarily do, and the best stories are frequently created in this way! Hang out and explore with people who aren't from your home country— make friends from all over the world! Strive to find activities that allow you to understand more about the culture of your area.
4. Travel: Exploring intriguing locations in and around the US will provide you with a never-ending list of things to do and see. If weekend getaways are important to you, you might want to seek a study abroad programme that only requires four days of instruction per week. As soon as you can, try to arrange side trips. To get a feel of where everything is, learn about festivals and events that you don't want to miss and figure out how to manage your time best. It is helpful to do some research on a weekend vacation city before you travel. After all, living in a foreign country, learning the language, and making new friends is the real essence of studying abroad!
5. Try to explore volunteer opportunities: In case you care about a certain issue or are passionate about a social cause, do consider volunteering in the US. With the chance to broaden your horizons, learn from your surroundings, and improve your resume, short-term volunteer activities can be incredibly gratifying. Apply your knowledge and training by furthering your hands-on, relevant study of the culture of your host nation. Organizations that need your assistance, such as charities, festivals, events, and community groups, frequently have volunteer positions available through research programmes.
Involvement opportunities on American college campuses are countless. Simply making an extra effort can have a significant impact on your student life and enable you to get the most out of your academic experience in the US.
