Are you considering studying abroad, but a bit scared to embark on this adventure without your family and friends? It is true that when you study in a foreign country, there is a big distance between you and the home team. When I left to study in the Netherlands, I was scared too, but I survived! In this blog, I’d like to share my experiences with you and let you know you won’t lose contact with your family and old friends.
Your feelings will change
In general, leaving the place where you’ve lived for a long time, will be difficult. If you’d like to experience studying in another country, do not decide against it because you’re scared you will lose contact with your family and friends back home.
I can assure you that the biggest step already is the decision to leave your own home and country to start a new life. At the beginning you may feel sad, frightened, lost,… but as soon as you start to know new people these negative feelings will disappear.
A globalised planet and the magical use of internet
Keeping in touch with friends and family back home is super easy these days. If you miss them, you can feel closer to them with the use of Skype, Messenger, Facetime or WhatsApp. Remember, your family will always be there for you, for advice, problems, for everything.
Also, from this year, if you are a EU student, you can use your own SIM card and the phone tariff of your native country, as decided by the Europe Union. On the other hand, if you are a student from outside the EU, you can buy a Dutch SIM card.
Long-distance relationship with friends back home
You know, true friends will always remain true friends. You’re not going to lose them because they will always be by your side. But, remember that just as you have to study, do projects and (perhaps) work… so do your friends back home! So, don’t be afraid if you don’t hear anything from them for a couple of days.
International friends as your new family abroad
You may think you’ll be confined to your mobile phone while you’re studying abroad because you’ll be constantly missing your family and friends, but please don’t be afraid! I thought I would feel the same way, but I was wrong.
Here in Vlissingen I found another life, totally different from my earlier one. I spend a lot of time with my new international friends. I'm busy with my study, I get new ideas and have new experiences in my new environment, together with my new friends. Even if I miss my relatives at home (which is normal), here I find the friends, who aren’t going to replace my family, but they will be my new big and international family abroad.
Good luck and thank you very much for reading my blog!
