Ready to study abroad? Expect changes and prepare for a new lifestyle

By Seema Somshekar

You have thoroughly researched for universities that best fit your requirements, deliberated in detail about the essays, scrutinised your published work submissions with a magnifying glass to ensure it showcases your best endeavors, and generally abided by the application process as outlined by the universities - all the while striving to present a comprehensive picture of yourself to the admission committee. And when you receive the response from the admission committee in your favour, you congratulate yourself on a job well done. But remember, this is just the beginning.

While embarking on an educational journey in a foreign country has its charm and excitement, it also brings with it certain challenges and changes. Change is only natural, inevitable even. Each one of us handles change and reacts to it differently. But the best way to deal with it, in my opinion, is to be prepared for it. Although I am yet to experience this change first hand, I am using the time on hand to prepare for the road ahead. And thanks to the well-connected, digital world, this road has been revamped into an expressway.

As an international student, you will need to be prepared for changes at various levels - cultural, social, geographical, and even educational. Most international applicants are probably exposed to the intricacies of American life and education system to some extent. You can further compound this knowledge by doing some personal research of your own. To aid you in the process, universities have compiled a guide outlining the different aspects of student life that you will find helpful. I advise you to peruse through this information carefully, as you will find it answers many of your queries, and prepare you for the impending changes.

Meanwhile, here are some areas in which you are likely to encounter crucial changes, and some tips to deal with them.

Follow the admission process as outlined by the university

For a smooth transition, make sure you follow the instructions outlined by the admissions committee in your welcome letter. You will find that some of the suggestions are mostly to help you prepare for the program, while some are mandatory formalities that will need to be fulfilled before you can register for your courses. You will be intimated about them through regular communications from the university. Unlike the Indian education system, admission is not a one-step activity, but a multi-layered procedure. If you have any queries during this process, mail them to the relevant department staff and they will address them for you.

A different educational experience

As you prepare for your educational training, you will come to realize that the method of teaching is different from what you have been used to in India.  For starters, you will have the freedom to choose some of the courses as per your interests and inclinations. Therefore, make sure that you properly research before registering.

Forget the 9-4 schedule. Typically, graduate courses do not follow fixed timings. Depending on the courses you choose and the mandatory subjects that are assigned by the college, you will be given a schedule for your semesters. You might find yourself with quite a bit of time on hand, but this time is best utilized to prepare for your program rather than leisure. Plan and manage your time wisely.

New place, new people

A new setting is one of the significant backdrops for change.  You can minimize the element of ‘foreignness’ by reading up about the city/state your college is located in, and by understanding its make-up, in terms of people,  their lifestyle, politics, culture, etc. Also, check up on basics such as transportation, shopping, banking and other essential facilities that you will need to rely on for day to day functioning.

Adjust your expectations 
Let your expectation be regulated by practicality rather than unrealistic perceptions. There is no point in setting unrealistic expectations. Be very clear about what you want from your educational experience and work towards achieving it. Only when you start the program will you be able to fully comprehend the depth and rigor of the course. Meanwhile, keep an open mind.

Independent living

Studying abroad comes with the promise of independence, as you will be living by yourself in a different country, thousands of miles away from home.  But what we neglect to consider is the fact that it also entails a fair share of responsibility and accountability – not just concerning academic matters, but also personal and financial. Use the time before the start of the program to plan your housing, dining and plan your budget accordingly. For some of us who have never lived away from home, this will be an additional change and appropriate adjustments will be required on our part.

In an effort to better understand what’s in store, some students, if they have the opportunity, do visit the city and university before starting the program or even before applying. Although it is not necessary to do so, it will give you a good idea of what to expect. Furthermore, you can speak with alumni and current students to gain a better understanding from a student’s perspective.

As you begin your academic life, you may find yourself easily adapting to some of these changes, while others might take some getting used to. Additionally, you might also encounter changes of an entirely different nature, not considered here. But eventually, you will make sense of it all and the only way to make sense of change, as Alan Wilson Watts said, “is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” After all, change is the end result of all true learning, and it is true learning we seek through the medium of education.