If you get the chance to spend time abroad as part of your university studies, grab it with both hands. Studying in a foreign country is a transformative experience, a unique blend of adventure and academics that opens up new horizons and allows students to immerse themselves in a new culture and discover new ways of looking at the world.
However, sometimes the thrill and excitement of time spent at an overseas university can get the better of you, and it is important to balance your desire for adventure with your academic responsibilities. It is all very well taking advantage of an opportunity to go on an adventure to cruise around glaciers in Alaska or explore beautiful Italian beaches, but if your studies suffer as a result then the result will be a bad one.
Finding a balance between doing well academically and enjoying your time abroad is the key to making the most of your college experience abroad. Here’s how you can maximise the opportunities that come with spending time overseas as part of your university experience.
Set Clear Goals and Priorities
Academic Focus
Setting academic goals is an important first step before setting off for your term or year overseas. Knowing what you want to achieve gives you a target to aim at and an ongoing way to check in with your progress. This means you can tweak your work-life balance if things begin to slip, or if you find you have more free time than you expected. Whether it’s maintaining your overall grade or mastering a new language, having a clear goal is a great way to keep you focused.
Personal Goals
Your personal goals are just as important as your academic ones. Part of the joy and the benefit of a year abroad is personal development and having experiences outside the classroom, so be sure to consider these as well. It might mean learning how to cook the local cuisine or traveling around your host country – identifying what is most important to you makes it easier to allocate your time effectively between academics and exploration.
Create a Balanced Schedule
Planning your schedule in advance makes it far easier to manage your time effectively and balance fun activities with academic responsibilities. Putting together a planner or a digital calendar helps to allocate time for study, lectures, and assignments, as well as exploring, socialising, and relaxing. It also makes it easier to prioritise, tagging various tasks as high, medium, or low priority, and helps avoid stress and last-minute cramming.
Embrace the Local Culture
One of the most important parts of spending time abroad is experiencing local life and culture. This might mean participating in local events or clubs, learning the language, or exploring local museums, historical sites, or traditional festivals.
It is also important to meet new people and make new friends, particularly from other cultures. This is one of the best ways to learn a new language, as well as to have great cultural exchange experiences.
Seek Support and Stay Healthy
Being far from home can be a disorientating experience at times, and while the independence and freedom can be wonderful, it is always important to pay attention to your well-being. There are lots of resources available for foreign students, from tutoring and study groups to counseling and guidance. It is also worth considering your physical health, ensuring that you eat healthily and keep your fitness up while abroad.
Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is fantastic for both your academic and personal development. By paying attention to the balance between your studies and your adventures you can guarantee that you will thrive both in and out of the classroom.
