How to get as much as possible from your study abroad

Study abroad can be challenging, fun, scary and amazing. Make sure to do most of your study abroad. Here are our top tips.

It will never be as you have imagined

One thing is for sure when studying abroad. It will never be as you have imagined. Reality will not look like you imagined before you left. It does not have to be worse, but it will definitely be different. There is a weekday even when you study abroad and in the beginning you may feel a little lonely. It is when school starts that you will get to know people and most people who study abroad only have more fun the longer they are there.

Do not panic the first few days

I myself have studied abroad many times and the first evening it is easy to wonder what you have embarked on. I have witnessed students panicking and going home shortly after arriving at their place of study, without giving it an honest chance and often without even setting foot in school. Make sure it's not you! Prepare that it will not look like you intended and that it may take some time to get to know people. Do not go too far before school starts if you go yourself. It is when school starts that you get a social context and can start your new life as a foreign student.

Be active to avoid homesickness

Do not sit too much in your room and chat with your family and friends in Sweden, then it is easy to feel homesick. Go out and explore your place of study and your country of study. Be active and follow activities that the school and your friends arrange. You will still come back to Sweden sooner or later, but you can only experience your studies abroad here and now!

Make the most of your studies

Studying is a central part of your studies abroad. Take advantage of it and try to learn as much as possible. If you do not complete your education abroad, you may have problems with CSN when you return home as well. So take your studies seriously, you still have time to have fun and you will feel so much better.

Set goals and follow them up on the spot

Why do you want to study abroad? What do you want to achieve and experience? Take some time and think about it before you go and choose a school. It makes a big difference if your goal is to take a year abroad at the best possible school, to improve your CV, or if you most want to go away to have fun and see the world. There are no right or wrong, but even if you mostly go away for the experience, you should think about what you want to experience.

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Remember your goals once you are in place and make a plan for how to achieve them. Without a plan, it is easy for time to pass and it may be time to go home again before you realize that you have not done all that you wanted to do.

Network and make friends for life

Most are contact seekers when studying abroad. Make a little effort to get to know new people, it will pay off. It's a perfect time to meet new friends and gain new perspectives. You can find friends for life, a life partner or a business partner.

If you become friends with a professor, then maybe he can be your reference when you apply for future jobs and educations. By the way, do not forget to update your CV with your studies abroad and any jobs you have done during your studies.

Have fun!

Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to see the world and grow as a person. You will probably think back on this time with joy later in life so make the most of your study time and have fun!