Studying Abroad.Dream or a nightmare?
STUDYING ABROAD. DREAM OR A NIGHTMARE?
A clear majority of teenager dreams of having at least a semester abroad, in another country. Although it sounds great studying abroad can entail some difficulties and can turn into a negative experience.
Students can face transition difficulties, languages difficulties and troubles in understanding the teaching methods. Furthermore, challenges in reflecting emotions or starting conversations with other students can occur and last but not least difficulties in adopting in a completely new neighbourhood that’s another story!
But what we can do to prevent all these difficulties?
Bear in mind that facing problems increases our flexibility and ability to cope with troubles in future. We also improve our resilience. Trying to learn from experiences, remaining hopeful even in situations where we feel that we stuck in a dead end widens our vision and perspectives. Being proactive and figuring out problems rather than postponing them. Trying to focus on needs and activating behaviours. All this are easier said than done.
Caring about its own well-being is a must have in these situations. Having access to adequate inner sources (hobbies, talents, characteristic features) as well as outer sources (Family, friends, teacher, pet etc) can help.
What can we do?
These following steps can be a guidepost for you to overcome difficulties during the semester
· The power of exercising
Do not underestimate the effect of exercising. Even though there is sometimes no motivation to do anything, exercising can boost your mood. Integrating routine walks into daily life can help to change your mindset.
· Planning a weekly schedule can lead to behavioural activation
Try to plan a weekly schedule which you adhere and fulfil
Setting little goals and reaching them can satisfy and raise your psychology in a positive way
Consider to not plan a lot in a week. We don’t want to cause exhaustion. Realistic goals are fine. The intention is to persuade that doing activities can influence mood in a positive way
· Being grateful
Focusing on the things we have can increase happiness as well.
Daily journaling or writing down the things we own are advantageous and can help us to change our negative thoughts into positive
A nice way to record these things are to prepare a gratefulness jar in which you can safe all the positive notes you wrote about the things you own
Mindfulness or meditation
Grounding techniques are very popular and effective. Try to arrange you a time during the day where you spent time on breathing and practicing mindfulness. Being aware of what I feel and focusing on the senses can help to stay now.
Join courses or student clubs or societies
Social are gatherings, meeting with students at same ground can increase solidarity and help to find common interest. For this student clubs are a got way to build connection to other peers.
· Focusing on negative irrational thoughts and trying to reconstruct new thoughts
Sometimes we have thoughts that seem right at the first sight however later we realize that they are dysfunctional. Try to notice your negative thoughts and convert them into rational thoughts. At the beginning it feels spurious however trying to find alternative thoughts help you to become accustomed after a while. A good method is to focus on your daily live on the situations in which you feel negative and have negative thoughts to understand the relation.
Get in touch with mental health practitioners
When you tried everything but cannot get rid of all these negative things you can ask for professional support. Taking part in a counselling or wpsychotherapy can help you to understand your struggles and overcome them in a professional way.
