Supporting Student Success

How to mentally prepare to study abroad?

First of all, on behalf of the Student Success Services Department, please let me congratulate the GJS graduating cohort, the Class of 2022, who have started receiving offers from universities all over the world.

Global Jaya School is very proud of you!

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life! New culture, new home, new teachers, new friends, and new memories! It is important to understand that in every new beginning, there will be certain emotions that arise, such as enthusiasm, thrill, and euphoria. On the other hand, negative emotions may be triggered as well, like fear and anxiety. However, although there may be challenges along the way, with the right strategies and mindset, there will be nothing you can not overcome.

Listed below are three useful tips that can help you to mentally prepare yourself when it comes to studying abroad:

1. Delve into the culture, etiquette and customs of the country, it will help you blend in smoothly within the community, without having to experience embarrassing moments that happen due to lack of information. For example, most escalators across the world do have a standing/walking system that follows the "walk on the left" custom and standing on the right side. One of the exceptions is Australia, where people walk on the right. Not following this manner may be frowned upon.

2. Learn some words in their language, especially if you are studying in a non-English speaking country where most people speak in their native languages like Germany, Japan, Korea, China or France. Although the language of instruction in the programme that you are taking is English, it is always beneficial if you could speak simple sentences for grocery shopping, finding an address or asking for help. Learning the language also helps so you won’t feel so alienated in your host country.

3. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. It is tempting to stay in your “hermit mode” when you feel insecure in a foreign country and homesick, and isolating yourself will only make it worse. Make sure you make initial contact with someone before you arrive in the host country, so when you are there, you don’t feel so alone and have someone to reach out to. They can be your friends, family relatives, your parent's friends, your future roommate or even your future counsellor at the university. You can also find this kind of support in some student organisations such as PPI (Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia) which you can find in most countries outside Indonesia. Here are some contacts of PPI members in several countries: PPI Netherlands, PPI United Kingdom, and PPI Australia.

Bottom line, having mental preparation is all about providing resources you might need when you are out there. Studying abroad is like throwing yourself into a totally new and different environment which to some extent, will test your ability to adapt to diverse situations while at the same time improving your problem-solving skills and shaping you into an independent adult, ready to venture into your career endeavours wherever you are.