4 Tips To Adjust To A New Host Country

If you've decided to expand your horizons and catapult out of your comfort zone into a new host country, we have five tips to share with you!

It doesn't matter which country you've decided to study in, all of these tips are useful no matter where you choose to live for the next few years. Since studying abroad can be a daunting and overwhelming task, a little pre-planning can go long. The tips below will help you make the most of your time so you can look back at this experience with fond memories that have impacted your life in the most positive of ways. 

Tip #1:

Expand your comfort zone by watching for opportunities to develop new skills and by saying yes to things you would traditionally say no to. 

As with everything challenging, the beginning is always the scariest. If you typically don't raise your hand in class, try it and push yourself outside your traditionally safe choices and raise that hand. 

Tip #2:

Join social clubs or volunteer on campus or in your new community. Getting involved with groups on campus is a great way to meet new people, whether academic clubs or social organizations. Volunteering is a great way to make you feel more connected to your campus or community. 

Tip #3:

If you're feeling lonely or invisible, know you're not alone. It takes time to adapt to any new setting. A beneficial resource for international students is the on-campus counseling services. These advisers and therapists are well-qualified and prepared to help students cope with any difficult situation. So utilizing the counseling services your university provides is a great way to overcome any challenges you face as you're adjusting to your new home. 

Tip #4:

Embrace your new life. It takes a lot of courage to start over in a new country, so try and anticipate some of the things you might go through as you embark on this brave journey. Immigration is not easy, but you've made it this far, and there are so many people who want to help you or have gone through the same things you have can be a great source of inspiration. Try to focus on the things you can control and the positive experience before you and embrace your new home away from home.

Expanding Your Comfort Zone as an International Student. https://www.wes.org/advisor-blog/comfort-zone-international-students/