When you’re going to study abroad, you’re going into another culture. There will be a different method for living and accomplishing things that you’ve been utilized in your home country. You have to have your eyes and ears open, so you can get by without making mistakes or miss any chances to benefit as much as possible from studying abroad. 

Here are a few common mistakes international students commits in the host country

• Missing Orientation

Every student must attend Orientations as they are very significant. Students will get important information on how to settle in the institute and also be familiarised with departments and programs they need to know. Students will also get the chance to know other new students and make friends. Introduce yourself with other students and faculty members, search for students who originated from your nation.

• Not arranging accommodation before flying

This is a common mistake, many students fly without arranging accommodation and airport pickup. Students must book on-campus residence or home-stay near to the institute for a few weeks in advance. Hotels won’t be a good decision as the cost will be on the higher side.

• Not making a budget

Managing your money is one of the most difficult things to do abroad. With so many new things to do, it’s easy to spend money. You will find yourself in a difficult situation if you don’t make a budget and stick to it. Your budget will vary based on where you study abroad – there’s no one-size-fits-all budget as some countries are more affordable than others. You should make a budget considering all important expenses i.e. tuition fees, textbooks, living and travel expenses, health insurance. 

• Only hanging out with others from your country

The most common mistake international students often commit is to limit their social circles to solely people from their home country only. Of course, you’re missing home. You miss hearing your local language spoken. You’re in another country a long way from home and you’re missing family. You don’t know what to discuss with different students who are from different nations. Particularly when there’s a language barrier, it can appear to be only simpler to stay with students from your home country. But it won’t help you if you don’t try to blend in with students of different nationalities. You’ll miss a major purpose of study abroad, which is to be exposed to different cultures. Otherwise, you could have just stayed at home and gone to a good college there, right?

• Not getting involved with campus activities

Possibly you chose to concentrate just on your studies to get that 4.0 GPA. There is a lot of international students who don’t engage with campus activities other than just going to classes. By “campus activities,” I’m referring to student associations and volunteer work outside of classes. Getting involved on campus comes with its own set of major perks. Being involved in campus activities sets the stage for a lifetime of learning in, reaching out and building connections that bridge barriers. It’s an opportunity to assemble your range of abilities.

• Not attending classes

Many international students are more excited about being abroad than studying. I agree that there’s a ton of advantages in traveling and exploring. But, remember that you’re not there on vacation. You are expected to attend your classes and complete assignments on time. Not considering or going to classes, falling behind on your coursework, and bombing a class or more are the most idiotic slip-ups you can get when you’ve spent quite a lot of money and time just to be able to study abroad. Nobody is stopping you from having some good times and explore the country. But don’t put yourself in a position where you’re doing it at the expense of your classes. Stick to exploring on the weekends and vacations.

• Failing to ask questions or ask for help

You will be in a new country, it is okay to ask others if you don’t know anything. Try not to be reluctant to look for help from other people, whether it’s your classmates, professors, counselors, or any native person. If you don’t ask you will find yourself in a difficult situation and no one can help you unless you ask for it. Ask and learn. Almost every institute has a counselor and student union, in case you have a doubt or any questions you can talk to these people at campus. This is also a great way to socialize and make friends.

• Working part-time more than allowed hours

Many students opt for studying abroad to earn money. Particularly, from South Asia students have this false idea that they can earn money during their studies to pay their expenses and furthermore transfer some money back home. This is the worst mistake they commit as if a student is found while breaching the allowed limit of working hours then it could make different serious consequences, the student visa could be canceled and could be sent back to their nation. It won’t be wrong if I blame parents for this as they put pressure on the child to send money. Students and parents need to understand that the prime motive of studying abroad is education and international exposure.

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“The motive of writing articles is to create awareness about the benefit of studying abroad and what to expect as an international student. We have met thousands of students and parents and surprisingly most of them are having a lot of wrong expectations about living abroad.