Surviving & Thriving: A Guide to Your First 30 Days Abroad
18-Jul-25
Okay,
so you packed your bags, hug your mom a?little too tight, hopped on a flight to
your dream place — impressive! Congratulations! Congratulations, because now
you are?an international student. Your first 30 days are?a bit of an emotional
rollercoaster—excitement, confusion, amateur panic and a lot of “What the hell
did I just get myself into?”
But
fear not! This guide will help you navigate this adventure with humor, sanity,
and minimal homesickness.
1.
Homesickness: When You Miss Mom (and Her Cooking)
Homesickness is real.
One moment, you're taking cool selfies in front of a historic monument, and the
next, you're crying over a grainy
WhatsApp video call because your dog doesn’t seem to recognize you.How
to cope:
- Call home, but don’t overdo it. You
don’t want your parents to think you’re miserable (or worse, book a return
ticket for you!).
- Keep yourself busy—explore your
city, make new friends, and binge-watch a local TV show (for educational purposes,
of course).
- Find comfort food. Which brings us
to…
2.
Food: Adjusting to Life Without Your Favorite Dishes Gone
are the days when mom’s parathas or dosas magically appeared on your plate.
Now, it’s you vs. the mystery meat in the cafeteria. But don’t worry, you won’t
starve!How
to cope:
- Google “Indian grocery store near
me” or find an international market. Your future self will thank you.
- Befriend a local who knows where
the best (and cheapest) food is.
- Learn to cook! Even if it’s just
Maggi—at least it’s something familiar.
3.
Language Barriers: When 'Excuse Me' Turns into 'What Did You Just Say?'
If
you’re in an English-speaking country, you might think you’ve got this
covered—until you realize that accents, slang, and rapid-fire conversations make
you feel like you’ve never spoken English before.
How
to cope:
- Nod and smile when confused. It
works wonders.
- Download a translation app for
emergencies (especially when ordering food).
- Watch local TV or YouTube videos to
get used to the accent.
4.
Housing: The Realities of Living on Your Own
Moving
from your childhood bedroom to a dorm or shared apartment can be a culture
shock. No one tells you that setting up Wi-Fi is harder than your toughest
exam.How
to cope:
- Read your lease agreement properly (yes,
even the fine print).
- Befriend your roommates, but also
set boundaries. (No, it’s not okay for them to use your shampoo like it’s
a communal product.)
- Keep your space clean. Or at least
cleaner than the kitchen sink in your shared flat.
5.
College Life: More Than Just Lectures and Assignments
Your
classes might seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry you’ll soon master
the art of balancing academics and social life.
How
to cope:
- Attend orientation! It’s not just
free food (though that’s a bonus), but also a great way to meet people.
- Ask questions. Professors actually
like it when students show interest.
- Join clubs or student groups. They
make adjusting easier and help you find your people.
6.
Navigating Public Transport: Because Uber Is Expensive
Gone
are the days when you yelled “Auto!” and got a ride. Now, you have to read bus
maps, navigate train schedules and avoid getting lost.
How
to cope:
- Download local transport apps and
memorize common routes.How
to cope:
- Read your lease agreement properly (yes,
even the fine print).
- Befriend your roommates, but also
set boundaries. (No, it’s not okay for them to use your shampoo like it’s
a communal product.)
- Keep your space clean. Or at least
cleaner than the kitchen sink in your shared flat.
5.
College Life: More Than Just Lectures and Assignments
Your
classes might seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry you’ll soon master
the art of balancing academics and social life.
How
to cope:
- Attend orientation! It’s not just
free food (though that’s a bonus), but also a great way to meet people.
- Ask questions. Professors actually
like it when students show interest.
- Join clubs or student groups. They
make adjusting easier and help you find your people.
6.
Navigating Public Transport: Because Uber Is Expensive
Gone
are the days when you yelled “Auto!” and got a ride. Now, you have to read bus
maps, navigate train schedules and avoid getting lost.
How
to cope:
- Download local transport apps and
memorize common routes.
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