Study Abroad: 6 Usual Challenges Faced By Students

Study abroad is one of student life’s most thrilling and exciting experiences. It is a remarkable experience that offers numerous opportunities to make new friends, travel to different states, explore food, learn a new language, and obtain world–class education. But this journey is not pleasing for everyone; certain challenges of studying abroad come along the way.

Every year the bulk of students going abroad from India quickly add to one of the largest populations of emigrants (predicted nearly 18 million). This estimation shows the interest of Indian students in foreign exchange programs or overseas education. Also, in the last three years, this international student movement has exceeded domestic student growth more than 6 times.

Along with numerous opportunities, a student might face challenges of studying abroad, like cultural shock, homesickness, and the most crucial application process. The challenges start from searching for a study abroad university till settling down. Some students get easily involved with new cultures, and others will get time to adapt. Thus, in this blog, we explore six different kinds of challenges which students face while studying abroad.

Challenges and Ways to Overcome Them

Here we explore six challenges faced by Indian students while pursuing a study abroad plan and how to overcome them.

1. Currency Differences

Trying to understand different currency calculations is a common challenge students may face while studying abroad. So, becoming familiar with the exchange rate is crucial before taking your flight and landing in a different nation. Even for accessibility, you can take the help of an online currency converter. Also, the student needs to keep in mind the monetary differences. For instance, various countries include taxes in their price of products, so the students must be aware that taxes are not included in North America. It means if you want to study in Canada from India or study in USA, then it requires calculating taxes within the price tag.

The solution is to brush up on the differences, and you will save from unnecessary confusion and money too.

2. Financial Constraints

In countries like Germany and Canada, you may need to open a block account or provide proof of funds. This shows that you can manage your attendance costs and other expenses in the country. Inadequacies will make it more difficult to obtain a visa. The currency exchange rate may also affect your education loan of study abroad, purchasing power, making living expenses more costly. You may be forced to work part-time to maintain yourself. This creates a worse impact on your studies and limits your ability to participate in extracurricular activities.

Finding ways to ease financial restrictions, such as finding scholarships and grants, searching for the best study loan for an abroad provider, or finding a part-time job that does not interfere with your studies, can be vital for you to achieve academic goals abroad.

3. Find Affordable Student Housing

House-hunting is difficult for any student, but it is especially so for those moving away from home for the first time. Students face many obstacles while looking for suitable accommodation. A lack of adequate accommodation can make it difficult for students to adjust to a foreign country or even concentrate on studying abroad plan.

Idealistically, students should research their destination before choosing accommodation. This process is now more accessible, efficient, and quicker, thanks to online student accommodation providers. Students can also find the perfect accommodation with study overseas help.

4. Navigating Cultural Differences

Students who plan to study abroad may need help navigating cultural differences. You might encounter different behaviors, beliefs, and values. It may lead to misunderstandings or disagreements between you and your professors. Communication style and social norms may differ from what you are used to. It makes it difficult to make friends or interact with fellow students. Cultural differences can also affect your academic performance, as you may have difficulty adapting to the expectations of your teachers.

To overcome these challenges, you must be open-minded and eager to learn. You also have cultural differences that must be considered while studying abroad. Learn more about the culture and foreign exchange program before moving to a foreign country to help you adapt.

5. Select Right Study Abroad Program

Besides choosing the best country to study, selecting a suitable university and student program is also important. Thus, conducting in–depth research about multiple programs and institutions becomes crucial to search for suitable ones per your academic and personal goals. Moreover, selecting suitable courses and institutions is a difficult endeavor because it needs an – depth understanding of the academic system and employment market in the nation to study.

The solution is to contact an overseas education consultant in Jaipur, India who can help you identify your strength and demand for the specific courses. If you want to discover the cost of studying in Canada for Indian students, consult with a professional who allows you to get in–depth knowledge, and based on that, you can select the right university and course.

6. Emotional Intelligence

Adjusting to unfamiliar environments, managing finances and responsibilities, being away from family and friends, and lacking home comforts are the major challenges of living abroad, which can heavily influence your mental health, leading to homesickness, isolation, and increased stress levels.

The initial days of studying abroad can be especially difficult, but institutions frequently assist in-house counselors who specialize in assisting students in adjusting to their new surroundings. They can provide students with information and resources to cope with stress, homesickness, and other challenges they may face when studying abroad. Universities also organize social events and clubs to help students build new relationships and create a sense of community. Students can maximize their experience by recognizing and addressing the challenges of studying abroad.

Conclusion

You can still maximize your chances for academic and personal growth by preparing and anticipating the challenges of studying abroad. This will allow you to create lifelong memories and experiences. Also, the student can talk to the best study abroad consultant in Jaipur, India to overcome these challenges.

Also Read: From Language Barriers To Cultural Differences: How To Overcome Challenges While Studying Abroad