Do’s and Don’ts of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad opens many doors when it comes to education, relationships, and personal growth. The value we get as individuals from each of our own unique study abroad experiences is dependent on our behavior and habits during this special time.  As a serial study-abroader, I’ve compiled a few Do’s and Don’ts to help fellow students make the best of their time away from home.

1) Do be as curious as possible. 

Everyone loves talking about their own culture. The more questions you ask and the more inquisitive you are towards local people while abroad, the more benefits you will reap. When you see a menu item you don’t recognize, ask the waiter what it is. When your host family is talking about a local television show, ask them to explain it to you. People will take a natural liking to you, and you will not only broaden your knowledge, but also open yourself up to more meaningful relationships with local people.

2) Don’t expect the comforts of home

The more time you spend negatively comparing your home country to your study abroad country, the more time you waste coming to terms with the obvious: you are ABROAD! Expect everything to be different, and I do not mean just the food and the language. This experience should be shocking, uncomfortable, and challenging. Otherwise, it would not be as valuable to your knowledge and growth.

3) Do speak the local language as much as possible

This is easier said than done, for numerous reasons. English is so commonly spoken worldwide at this day in age that not speaking it can be difficult. In attempts to be polite and welcoming, lots of people – particularly in Europe – will speak English to you even if you can speak the local language. This is not a reflection of your foreign language ability or efforts; lots of people simply do not want to waste the opportunity to practice their English with a native speaker. But you need to push through. Even if your friends, the barista, or ANYONE responds to you in English, keep going in the local language. It’s the only way to get better! Which brings me to…

4) Don’t be embarrassed to make a total fool of yourself

You will find yourself in humiliating situations no matter how hard you try not to. You will make mistakes when speaking, you will misunderstand people, you will do things that are incorrect or strange in the culture of the country you are in. There is nothing you can do but embrace it! The worst thing you can do is let an embarrassing situation stop you from trying to further immerse yourself and gain as much as possible from your experience. 

5) Do smile

Smiling is a sign of positivity across all cultures! Remember that you are a foreigner to the people you surround yourself with when abroad. To your classmates, teachers, and host family, you are a foreign object. The easiest way to ensure that nobody wants to interact with you is to keep a stone-cold face, or attitude, everywhere you go. No matter how lost in conversation, shocked by a cultural difference, or confused by a situation you may be, try to muster a smile when you search for clarification. At the very least, when your French classmate asks another one, “Hey, is the American guy cool?” they might respond, “I don’t know yet, but he seems nice.”

6) Don’t skip out on trying new things

Lots of what you may be offered, whether it be lunch prepared by your host mom at home or an invitation to a local holiday party from a friend, will be new to you. The first time I saw a fully intact octopus boiling on the stovetop at home before my host brother’s birthday lunch, I thought I was going to be sick. But when it showed up on my plate three hours later, I reluctantly tried it, and now pulpo is one of my favorite dishes. Take every opportunity you can to get out of your comfort zone. If not just for yourself, then for the sake of your relationships. Remember that in lots of cultures outside of the US, turning down food or invitations for a reason such as “not wanting to” or “not liking it” is very rude and can set you back on developing friendships.

7) Do set personal goals for your time abroad

Before you leave home, think of what you want to accomplish while you study abroad. By the end of this experience, do you want to have developed the confidence to take an AP language exam? Do you want to have traveled to a certain historic site? Do you want to have made an Italian-speaking friend? Think about it. Set your goals, and develop ideas of how you can reach them in your time spent abroad. This is the best way to make effective, meaningful use of your experience. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and no one but you can determine its value!

About the Author

Shannon is an American expat whose career in Europe began with a study abroad experience in Spain in 2013. She is still active in the study abroad community in Italy and Spain, and works as European Coordinator for Abbey Road Programs, assisting other students in pursuing international educations.