How to Mentally Prepare to Study Abroad: 14 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success (2025)

Amber Everywhere contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Read my privacy policy for more information.

How you mentally prepare for study abroad can have a big impact on how easily and quickly you’re able to adjust to a new culture. Study abroad is an incredible experience, and many people who didn’t study abroad reflect on it and wish they had. That said, moving to another country for a semester or a year is a demanding endeavor, and this guide is intended to help you prepare for a new experience. 

My experience with studying and living abroad

My first trip out of the United States was to study at a language school in Guatemala with two friends and classmates. We went as part of an independent study and took language classes while living with host families. This wasn’t a formal study abroad program, but it was an introduction to studying another language while in a new country. 

The next year, I studied abroad in Amman, Jordan with the School for International Training in 2012 in a program titled “Modernization and Social Change.” I was the only student from my alma mater to attend the program, so I didn’t know anyone when I arrived. I had an incredible experience and lived with a wonderful host family. 

Later, in 2020, I moved abroad to Ireland to live and work as an expat. I’ve lived abroad in Ireland for just over two years, so I’ve had plenty of experience learning to adapt to new cultures, in addition to my traveling. These three experiences have shaped who I am as a person and a traveler, and I wanted to draw upon my experience to offer some advice for anyone planning to study abroad. 

How to mentally prepare to study abroad 

The key to mentally preparing to study abroad is to learn a bit about the common challenges that you might face. Studying abroad is a new experience, and it’s possible that you’ll experience culture shock or homesickness while you’re living in a new country. You may even run into situations where you simply don’t know what to do. All of that is normal. 

The growth that you’ll experience from studying abroad comes from facing new and unknown challenges and then learning to rely on yourself to find solutions. You don’t have to be perfect, just try your best and stay as open minded as possible. 

Learn about culture shock

It is very possible, maybe even likely, that you will experience some form of culture shock while studying abroad. For some people, the culture shock will happen soon after you arrive, typically just after the “honeymoon” phase wears off. Others might experience it after they return home, where the customs they grew up with start to feel strange, unfamiliar, or even upsetting. 

If you spend some time learning about what culture shock is, you will be quicker to identify it in yourself. A few signs to look out for include: unexplained irritability, fatigue, anger, or sadness. Preemptively forgive yourself for experiencing culture shock and work towards fostering a respect for the culture you’re visiting. 

Read a novel from the country you’re visiting

Whenever I can, I try to read a novel from the country I’m planning to visit. I find that the process of reading about a country helps me to better understand the cultural nuances that are hard to capture in an article or YouTube video. As an example, Sally Rooney wrote several novels about living in Ireland that explain nuances of small moments of Irish culture like how friends greet each other when they meet at a pub or thanking a bus driver after getting dropped off. 

Having read a popular novel is also a great talking point when you meet people. I’ve had many conversations about Sally Rooney in Ireland, where she is extremely popular and well known. 

Prepare a list of your strengths

Before you go abroad, make a small list of the things you know you’re good at. It can be short and to the point, ideally in a journal or the notes app on your phone. Use this list to ground yourself if you struggle to appreciate yourself while you’re abroad. 

Studying abroad is a learning opportunity and you’ll be challenged in new ways throughout the experience. If you can stay connected to your strengths – or even better, add to them – it’ll be easier to appreciate yourself. Don’t add any strengths that are sarcastic, only things that you’re proud of and consider genuine strengths. 

Set some goals

Another great grounding exercise is setting a few goals. The key here is to practice restraint – going abroad won’t magically transform you into a different person. If you’ve never gone for a run in your life, you probably won’t immediately become a runner just because you’re in a different country. 

Make achievable, thoughtful goals for your experience. Maybe you want to try to make new friends, improve your language skills, or try new foods. Focus on goals that center little things you can do every day to improve or achieve them. You’ll also want to make them measurable, so you can tell if you’re successful. 

If you’re stuck or want some ideas, read Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s one of my favorite books. 

Know that you will not always know what to do

As a world traveler, I’ve occasionally found myself in situations abroad where I looked around at a situation and thought, “Literally nothing in my life up to this moment has prepared me to react appropriately to this.” It’s uncomfortable, disheartening, and it makes you feel like you’re failing. But, it happens to all of us as we stretch and grow outside of our comfort zones. And, it’s OK. 

The best advice that I can give you as you step into the unknown is this: it’s OK to not know what to do. When I was a kid, my dad once said to me, “No question is a dumb question if you don’t know the answer.” People may be unimpressed by your response, but if you don’t know the answer you’ll simply have to ask or do your best. 

Some advice on doing your best: it might be helpful to jot down in your journal a little bit about what happened and how you responded immediately after you get home. Having a record of your thoughts can make it a little easier to remember that you were doing your best. This record can also help you when it comes time to forgive yourself when you eventually figure out what it is that you should have done differently. 

Choose a great gift for your host family

The earlier you try to find a gift for your host family, the easier this task is likely to feel to you. Don’t wait until you’re stuffing things in your suitcase the night before your flight to try to pick out a thoughtful gift, that’s a recipe for stress.

I wrote a long guide about choosing a gift for your host family. However, if that is sending you into a panic, just think about what you’d bring as a gift for a distant aunt or cousin you were going to visit. A small collection of your favorite things from a local shop would be perfect. Even a few items from your college gift shop would be memorable and unique to you. 

These gifts are just meant to be tokens of your appreciation for staying in your host’s home. In my experience, the longer you keep your eye out for cute, small gifts, the easier it will be to collect them. 

Bring other small gifts from home to share

Whether you’re staying with a host family or not, bring some small gifts to share with the people you meet. It could be your favorite candy or treat, or a small game like the Moth’s storytelling cards to help people get to know each other. Little tokens that remind you of home will probably be fun to share. 

There’s no need for these gifts to be expensive or take up a ton of room in your bag. A few candy bars and a deck of Uno cards would suffice. The point is really just to be able to share a little bit of your home with people in a new country. If they’re not intriguing to the people around you, or if you’re just feeling homesick, you can also keep them to yourself. 

Read about the culture you’re stepping into 

Some of the hardest parts of traveling are the moments where you don’t understand cultural exchanges. Or, worse, when you have a few bad experiences caused by unintentional cross cultural miscommunications. You’ll never be able to prevent all of these moments, but it will help if you read up on the new culture. 

You can start with these Google searches for the country you’re visiting:

• Culture in ___
• Ordering at a restaurant in ___
• Is tipping expected in ___
• Weird things that annoy people in ___
• What is considered polite in ___?
• What is considered rude in ___?

Skim through the first few articles for each query to get a better sense of the cultural expectations. 

Start a journaling practice

The more you can do now to get in touch with your thoughts, the easier a time you’ll have while you’re abroad. Start by simply jotting down your thoughts, with no expectation about how it looks or reads. Do this once per day for a few weeks, and you’ll likely find yourself gravitating towards a journaling style. 

If you already have a solid journaling practice, try doing a Love-Power-Freedom-Fun audit to assess your needs. 

Get clarity around your finances 

If your parents are supporting you through college, have a conversation with them about your finances during your study abroad program. Managing a budget during college can be stressful, but the more insight you have into your situation, the better. Be sure to also double check with your program if they will be providing a stipend or assistance with costs while you’re abroad. 

Try to set aside an emergency fund that you can use if you go over budget while you’re studying abroad, even if it is only $50. Sometimes things go wrong while you’re abroad; you could lose an electronic device, have your wallet stolen, or one of your more expensive belongings could suddenly break. If you have an emergency fund, you’ll be more likely to be able to resolve this situation quickly and painlessly. 

Engage with other program participants

Some programs will connect students in Facebook groups or on other platforms so that you’ll have a chance to ‘meet’ before you arrive. If you have this opportunity, take advantage of it and post a thoughtful photo and small bio about yourself. Be sure to mention a few key details about yourself like your major, hometown, and an interesting fact or two about yourself. 

You don’t have to try to make friends with everyone in the group, but it will feel much better to feel like you’ll be seeing a few familiar faces when you arrive. Be patient and open-minded with the other study abroad students in your program. They’re probably just as nervous and apprehensive as you are, so it’s a time to be kind and welcoming. 

Whenever you can, mentally replace the word “challenging” with “new”

Once you arrive in a new country for your program, you’ll likely encounter a number of unfamiliar situations. It could be little things like the coffee tastes different, or huge things like you can’t understand the local language. Don’t worry if these things leave you feeling a little tired, irritable, or unsettled. 

Instead, try to think of these experiences as simply “new.” For me, taking a taxi to school was new. Drinking tea that had, in my opinion, far too much sugar was new. Not knowing anyone in Jordan was new. Living with a host family was new. 

You’ll accumulate new experiences very rapidly. Give yourself ample space to be a person working their way through the newness of study abroad. When you’re new at something, you’re more likely to misunderstand, make a mistake, or feel self conscious; that’s OK! There’s nothing wrong with you, you just haven’t done this before. 

Make a plan to get the support you need

If you need support to succeed in college, you’ll probably have a better experience if you can access the same supports while abroad. Some students receive support for a disability that is arranged by their school – if this applies to you, reach out to your disability coordinator to make a plan for your study abroad program. They might even be able to advocate for you if there is a dispute while you’re off campus.

Students who are working with a therapist might want to see if they can continue with telehealth or video calls while abroad. You can also check your travel insurance policy to understand the coverage you’ll have while out of the country. 

Related Post: Is Studying Abroad Lonely?

Research your study abroad program

The more information you have about your study abroad program, the better. Start by reading all of the materials that the program sends you. It’s very likely that the program will include a lot of very useful and helpful information on their website and in the welcome materials.

After you read through the welcome materials, check to be sure that you know the answers to the following questions: 

• Where will you be living?
  • Will you be staying in a dorm? Will you have a roommate?
  • Are you staying with a host family?
• Who is responsible for securing your housing during your program?
  • If you are responsible for securing your housing, does the program have tips or recommendations for finding a flat while abroad?
• Who do you contact if you run into an issue while you’re abroad?
• What is the structure of your program?
  • Will you be taking classes with local students in a university? 
  • Completing an independent study? 
  • Studying with only other foreign students in a special program?
• Will your program be supplying a stipend during your program?
• Which, if any, of your meals are provided?
• How will your academic performance be measured?
• Are there language pre-requisites for your program? If so, have you fulfilled them?

Additional program research tips

If you find that you’re not sure about the answers to one of the above questions, or if you have any other lingering questions, reach out to your study abroad program. If you’re not sure where to start, ask if your school as an office dedicated to studying abroad. Typically, these offices will be familiar with your program and can help answer your questions. 

If the study abroad office isn’t able to help you, you can request a call with a staff member at your study abroad program. Remember, you’re just looking for information, so feel free to (politely and kindly) ask any remaining questions. Most people are happy to help, but if they don’t know the answer to one of your questions, you can try asking them to refer you to someone who might have more information. 

FAQs: Mentally preparing to study abroad

Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions about study abroad. Remember, it’s perfectly OK to be a little nervous before going abroad, especially if it’s your first time. Keep an open mind and avoid making too many pre-judgements about what the experience will be like or what your limitations might be. 

How do I deal with anxiety while studying abroad?

First and foremost, if you’re seeking mental health treatment for anxiety or any other concerns, talk to your provider before you go abroad. They may be able to help you make a plan that is responsive to your particular needs. I’m not a medical professional, nor is this blog intended to serve as a substitute for medical care. 

That said, I would say that the number one way to manage anxiety while you’re abroad is to be as gentle with yourself as possible. Make goals that give you room to explore your surroundings and connect with other people. 

Do exercises that help you connect with your physical body and avoid substances that make your anxiety worse (like alcohol or drugs). Yoga, meditation, journaling, exercise, and deep breathing are all powerful tools to help you feel less anxious. If you notice yourself starting to feel anxious, go for a short walk and spend a few minutes noticing the things you hear, see, and smell.

How do I manage homesickness when studying abroad?

I’ve written about homesickness in another post. Know this: if you’re feeling homesick, it’s perfectly OK. It will pass. You will feel better again, and your job now is to be extra kind and gentle with yourself. 

I have been living abroad for two years now, and there are still times when I feel homesick for the United States and miss some of the comforts of home. When these feelings come up, I try not to judge them or ignore them. I respect that sometimes I’ll miss the country where I grew up, and I usually find comfort in places that reminds me of home (like Starbucks or McDonalds).  

What should you avoid doing while abroad?

It can be very tempting to spend your days while abroad with only people who look and think like you do. Make a concerted effort to befriend locals and connect with others whenever you can.

You’ll also want to do your best to suspend your judgements. Our minds try to make sense of the world around us by evaluating, analyzing, and judging. Unfortunately, these thoughts can keep us at a distance from the culture we’re trying to learn from and can make it very difficult to enjoy your time abroad. 

Whenever you can, approach new situations with curiosity. Ask questions, engage genuinely with others, and avoid making sweeping generalizations. Most people are rational, and their responses probably make sense on some level if you’re willing to a little investigating to understand their perspectives.  

Can introverts survive abroad?

Yes, introverts can absolutely survive abroad. If you’re an introvert and know that you need some time alone to rest and recharge everyday, literally plan it into your schedule. Let your host family know as soon as possible that you’ll need to spend some time in your room each day. 

It’s easier for everyone if you clearly and kindly explain your needs at the outset. If you set a precedent that you’ll spend 4-5 hours each night with your host family, it can be hard for them to adjust to you spending a few hours alone the next night.

How can I make friends while I’m studying abroad?

Always remember that making connections takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself if it feels like it’s taking a while to meet people or it feels really hard. In order to have the best chance at making friends while you’re abroad, start by keeping open body language and being receptive to invitations. Stay off your phone when in group settings, and if you get invited to an event, try to say yes if you’re interested in going. 

A common mistake that people make when they’re trying to make friends is turning down someone’s invitation or cancelling plans the first time you plan to hang out. Keep in mind that most people won’t try to befriend you twice, so try your best to keep your appointments. No one likes to get cancelled on all of the time, so always try to be dependable. 

Finally, don’t be afraid to invite people to activities and take on a leadership role. Ask people what they want to try in the new city and then do your best to set it up, especially if it’s free and/or low commitment. You could even ask the study abroad staff for ideas if you’re not sure what to suggest.