Being an exchange student can be an enriching experience, filled with opportunities for personal growth and cultural exploration. I encourage anyone considering it to take the plunge, as the positives often outweigh the negatives. However, I want to acknowledge that there are challenges that come with this journey. It’s important to recognize that feeling overwhelmed or facing difficulties is normal. You’ll have to face many difficulties, both alone and with support.
Students often anticipate challenges like homesickness, culture shock, and language barriers, but what about the lesser-known obstacles? Those are the ones I want to remind you of before you decide to sign up for a program using the steps I provided in my previous article.
Firstly, academic pressure is something all students face when entering a new school, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the changes. Adapting to something such as different teaching styles and grading systems can lead to stress or a sense of insecurity, especially when comparing ourselves to others. It’s important to recognize these feelings and understand that they don’t define your capabilities. If these pressures become too much, they can lead to burnout, often dismissed as just “normal anxious behavior.” Remember, it’s okay to seek support and prioritize your well-being during this challenging transition. You’re not alone in this journey. I personally struggle with this every single time I move from state to state, and that’s all simply within the country, so there’s no shame in dealing with this in an entirely different country.
Transitioning to new time zones can also be a unique challenge that often sneaks up on you. It’s easy to forget that you might not be on the same schedule as your friends, family, or significant other. Most days, this isn’t a huge issue; it just means working out a timetable for calls. Yet, for some students, finding the right times can be tough, and it’s understandable to feel left out. It’s important to recognize that long-distance relationships, especially those spanning different countries, can be particularly difficult. The distance can lead to a sense of longing and even contribute to breakups or disagreements with those you care about. The fear of missing out on each other’s lives can stir up intense emotions like resentment, sadness, regret, jealousy, and heartache. Feeling lonely can sometimes lead to an identity crisis, which can happen when we isolate ourselves, withdraw from social situations, or find our motivation dwindling over time. These feelings might seem overwhelming, but please know you’re not alone; many people navigate these challenges, even if they don’t always talk about them. You might think you won’t ever face an identity crisis, just as I once did, but life can be unpredictable. It’s important to acknowledge these possibilities and seek support before they become too much to handle by yourself.
Keeping our heads up is a huge part of our growth, both socially and personally. I understand that thinking of these struggles might change your mind about joining an exchange program, but life is all about the difficulties we face, the rainbows after storms. It sounds cheesy when so many keep telling you to be brave and leap, I know I get tired of hearing it every time I move, but it truly is one of the only pieces of advice that might help you fly through it all. Try summer programs, talk to students who’ve already done it, or do your own research, but don’t ever give up this opportunity because of your fears or anxieties of what may or may not happen. I’ve given you a guide and things to think about for yourself, now it’s your turn to decide whether or not to go for high risk for a high reward.
