#studyabroadproblems

[qubesmagazine]

She Saved Every Penny from NYSC for U.S. Master’s – Then Came the Crushing Visa Denial

A Nigerian lady saved her NYSC allowance for a U.S. master’s—only to get a heartbreaking visa denial. Read her emotional story. #VisaDenial

[gabrieladream]

Yesterday I finally got my passport. What an adventure! If all this COVID-19 madness had not happened, I would have managed to catch it in March and in February 2021 I was going to do a semester abroad studying at the University of Porto. Now, 7 months later, I had to postpone my semester abroad and change my destiny, and I'm still not sure if that will happen. But other than that, for some reason I was so excited about it that I broke my phone screen when I took this photo 😅 #studyabroad #studyabroadlife #studyabroadproblems #passaport #icantbelieveit #finnally https://www.instagram.com/p/CFfDpckD9F8/?igshid=7ybr8e6isplf

[sammapandame]

I’m sad. I’m bitter. And I’m hurting. I’m so sick of letting people treat as if I’m temporary and my feelings don’t matter. And more than all of that, right now I really hate being 3800 miles from the only people who make me feel like anything is right in my world.

[culturediving]

Top 5 Exchange Student Problems

It ain't all rainbows and unicorns. Allow me to guide you through a countdown of 5 problems we exchange students have come to embrace:

#5. Dilemmas, dilemmas... All day e'ryday.

Should I skip a week of class for a chance to visit Greece, even though: a) I will miss a quiz and a birthday party,  b) it'll make my teacher displeased, c) I am already behind on homework and midterms are coming up, d) it'll cost more $$ than trips to nearer destinations, and e) the friends I was going with dropped out? *Proceeds to create a cost-benefit matrix*

This postcard or that postcard?

Hostel A or Hostel B? Hostel B's booking.com reviews look much more promising AND it provides free wifi, but Hostel A is 3€ cheaper per night, which means 12€ cheaper over the span of our stay. BUT: Hostel A is in a less convenient location...but oh wait, it offers free towels and breakfast! *Proceeds to calculate opportunity costs in Excel*

Should I go with my friends to watch a bullfight?

#4. Trying to save money while trying to see the world

(Source: Study Abroad Memes Facebook page)

Get up at 4 AM so I can take the cheapest morning train to go to the cheapest airport to take the cheapest flight? No problema...My 13 alarms have got my back.

"How do I take the leap and go to GREECE, my dream destination, when it costs an arm and 3/4 a leg?!" My dear, start by taking the 6-hour night bus to the cheapest transferring city and spending the night in the airport despite the cold. This way, you can take the cheapest early-morning flight while saving money on hostels.

Reminder: leave that suitcase at home, 'cause that's going to cost you another 30€. Carry-on backpacks will become your wisest friends.

(Source: Study Abroad Memes Facebook page)

#3. Realizing that you should have chosen Hostel A...

When you took a shower at a hostel and emerged dirtier than before:

Lord only knows who has showered in that nasty hostel shower before you. Enjoy finding bugs and other people’s hair on the walls and in the drain.

(Source: "#StudyAbroadProblems" from Elite Daily)

Oops. Is this really a safe neighborhood to be walking through?

(Source: The Time I Studied Abroad Tumblr blog)

#2. Getting tongue-tied in 3 different languages.

English, Chinese, Spanish, and what's that?...Spanglish, Chinglish, Spa-nese?! Your tongue is bound to get confused at some point. 

(Source: Pin from lookhuman.com)

(Source: Exchange Students Memes Facebook page)

I guess it doesn't help that you're learning Korean phrases from your Korean roommate, having lunch with your Polish friends, and learning Spanish songs while speaking Mandarin with your Cantonese pals. Don't be too hard on yourself when you subconsciously start speaking Spanish to a confused waiter in Greece.

But above all...

#1. Missing your loved ones back home

When everyone posts pictures of their Thanksgiving feasts:

(Source: The Time I Studied Abroad Tumblr blog)

Every darn Thanksgiving, Moon Festival, birthday, and Christmas.

A candid shot from a cozy Thanksgiving with my friends last year.

On a random day, you'll walk through a gorgeous path on campus and think, "Z would LOVE walking here."

You'll spot a yogurt brand of the same name as your friend, and recall the cozy Chinese New Year's Eve that you guys had homemade hotpot together.

You'll see the red candles at La Sagrada Familia and wish you could hug your mom.

You'll stare into the gorgeous sunset in Santorini and reminisce the time in Vancouver when you and your friends ran down to English Bay to splash around until sunset. 

But sometimes, the sentimental feelings will creep up for no particular reason even when you're just washing your broccoli or strolling through an alley.

Indeed, it's not all rainbows and unicorns.

I've gotta say though...You will find some breathtaking rainbows while abroad.

Best,

Emily Chen

[natashxlee]

Rat Race

It feels like an insane rat race and lessons start in two days. How is it possible that I am way behind on my readings before my first lecture? How am I supposed to know what topics I have in mind for my graded essays before lessons start? Someone explain the UK system to me please!