How to decide to study abroad?

Many people dream of finding out what it's like to leave home and try to live in a completely different place, go for an internship, or maybe even go to university abroad. But when it comes to real proposals, fear often overcomes me: how will I live in a foreign country, how will I cope with it all? If you've ever had such thoughts, you should definitely read this article.

There's nothing scary about living and studying in another country, of course, but it is a serious step, and therefore all your excitement is well founded. Nevertheless, it's easy enough to overcome. Most often, when we think about studying abroad in our heads there are three most important questions. We'll try to answer them.

What will happen to me if I go?

Of course, it's easy to get into trouble in a foreign country: you can get lost in a strange city, you can get robbed, and so on. The same thing, by the way, can happen to you in your own country. Life is full of surprises, sometimes pleasant, sometimes not. But you're not sitting at home, afraid that a brick will fall on your head? In other words, anything that can happen "on the other side" can happen on your street. Yes, trouble is easier to experience in your comfort zone, but how much fun is leaving that zone sometimes! After all, if you stay at home, you can't experience the incredible atmosphere of living and learning in another country, you can't get to know its culture and people. It's more than just a trip, it's a true immersion into a wonderful new world, so why not take a chance?

How do I do this alone?

It's a mistake to think that when you leave home you will be alone. Now, in the age of information technology, you can stay in touch with your family and friends anywhere in the world. If you're afraid of being alone, talk to them ahead of time, ask them to call and write you as often as possible, and promise to call and write yourself. And that's just the beginning. Student life there is not much different from student life here: young people are fun, lively, and hungry not only for knowledge, but also for new and interesting acquaintances. Often people are curious to know how foreigners live, and so the natives are friendly to visitors who have come to study. Even if you are a shy introvert, do not worry, they will find you and help you adapt to your new surroundings.

What if my language skills are not good enough?

This is a rational but stupid fear. You go to another country just to learn something new, and especially to pick up the language. In the Middle Ages, all universities taught only in Latin, but knowledge-hungry students, even if they didn't know Latin, studied diligently. You're much luckier, though: you always have dictionaries and translators at your fingertips. And everyone has a basic knowledge of English, and then it's not far to C2. The main thing is to get over the language barrier and start talking - you'll be able to speak as well as the locals before you know it.

You don't just understand it, but once you get the hang of it, studying abroad won't feel so intimidating. But what about smaller and more irrational fears? Some are intimidated by all the paperwork involved in preparing for an internship, some can't imagine life without their native and familiar places, some are trivialized by fear of flying, and trains can't always get you to your destination. When you get caught up in the net of these minor annoying thoughts, just think about what this trip can really give you. Imagine your life ten years from now: you are a successful young professional with an excellent knowledge of a foreign language. The certificate confirming your studies abroad has served you well: you are working for one of the best companies in your field, probably abroad. Your foreign friends send you postcards and cheerfully invite you in to reminisce about the good old days over a cup of coffee in a favorite student café. And that's not all that can happen to you after a trip to a foreign university. Yes, it is scary to leave your comfort zone, but isn't such a wonderful future worth at least a try? Just thinking about it makes you smile dreamily, so imagine how happy you could become if you really took such a risky but incredibly exciting step?

If you have no more doubts and you really want to try changing your life, a suitable internship or stipend can be found on our website.