Living in my country with my family, I was so clingy and dependent that I never thought or believes I would ever be able to do things on my own without his consent or permission from my elder ones. I loved having friends and family around and people to talk to. After my university days, my dad suggested I go to Canada for my master’s degree, I was so excited to hear that I was going to change environment and get to visit new places and explore but I never thought of the challenges, the hard blow that I would come across. The challenges were mind-blowing, but in the long run I was able to master my environment and grow out of my dependent nature. It was a life changing experience and I appreciate my father for allowing me to leave the country for my masters.
My first challenge was having to get used to the environment. One major issue I had was that no one really cares, you all mind your business which was not so cool it was hard to ask for help from anyone on the streets, it was hard to locate a place you don’t know. You feel so alone and helpless. Trying to get used to the weather too and allow your body to adapt is really hard… It is a hard task you have to perform. Then understanding the environment coupled with school’s demands was so tough. I found it really hard to talk to my sisters because the time range was different, I was always stressed and worn out. The time factor was a big issue because I had to make phone calls very early in the morning or very late in the evening, I had to double check which time is suitable for which time zone all the time and it was tiring. So those of you planning to travel abroad, the earlier you try to remember the time by memory, the better it is for you to cope with the time differences when you get there.

Another difficulty was finding the right accommodation. To be honest, it wasn’t easy because very often on-campus, accommodation gets filled up faster and students have to resort to other means of accommodation outside the university campus. This can often make you pay a huge amount to avail your preferred accommodation. There were a lot sacrifices I had to make before I could finally stay in campus. So, if you are planning to study abroad, make sure you get your accommodation fast enough to avoid any inconvenience or the case of having to seek accommodation outside the campus.
At this point, it was really frustrating for me. Finances gave me serious issues and made me miss home more. This was where I toughened up knowing that no one would care for me. I had to do the things I would never do if I was schooling at home and close to my family. Irrespective of all your efforts to plan your finances, budget, and also track your expenses throughout your stay, sometimes it really gets tough to manage the expenses. Even if you’re managing your money perfectly well, you can still end up broke or having less than you need. I had to go to salons to weave hair sometimes just to feed. It was really hard Before you opt for a job, you need to double-check the rules around your student visa. These are things you should keep in mind. So, know it now that the country you’re studying, may be limited to the type and location of work that you can take. Always check your campus classifieds and different job boards for new opportunities. You can also go for different freelance gigs or part-time work opportunities to manage your finances a bit better.
Homesickness was my major problem. I almost went into depression. It is something very common when you are away from your loved ones. It was so hard especially he period that I had made no friends. I went to eateries to sit alone, I was always bored and sad in fact, it will affect you immensely when you’re bored, so it is always advised to stay active. You need to connect with people, especially fellow students who are feeling the same and embrace as much of your new surrounding as possible. This is what I did to kill the homesickness and it worked for me. So, if you know you will find yourself abroad for studies soon, it is advisable you do this immediately you get there, as quick as possible to avoid home sickness. Although, it is not always easy to make friends in a new city especially if you are a shy or an introvert person. You can begin with attending social gatherings and clubs at your university.
I also had issues with outfits and feeding because of the kind of food that I was surrounded with. I also found it really hard to manage my academic expectations. There can be plenty of new things that you may want to try out. There were plenty of them that I wanted to try out. But I had to buckle down and work smart. Make use of the calendar, to-do list and planner apps to manage my academic requirements. Gradually I could see how I was taking good care of myself and handling.my situation on my own. I could look in the mirror and tell myself I need no one except me. I could feel I was enough for myself without having a friend around or anyone. Although, making a friend was difficult because of communication challenges and the mindset and values and norms that varied, I found myself surviving and coping without friends. I never believed I would live freely and happily with no one to have around me to talk to or to depend on so I kept on asking myself if it was me. So, be prepared to spend time all by yourself, opt for good hobbies till you find people who can actually be your friends.
These were the challenges that I faced, that made me a better individual and a better version of myself. I can proudly say I learnt a lot about myself and my life, and I discovered myself when I went to Canada to study my master’s degree in Linguistics studies. So, leaving your family and studying abroad instills a self-sufficient attitude and also helps you develop an independent lifestyle.