Imagine the following scenario…

• On the first day of class in your graduate program, the professor shares that she would like to be addressed by her first name, without the need to add any title. Would you find that request appropriate or shocking?

Now imagine this other scenario…

• You are attentively listening to your male professor’s lecture. Suddenly, one of your female classmates raises her hand and begins to challenge the professor’s argument. Then, another student raises his hand and voices his point of view. All of a sudden, the lecture turns into a whole debate on the topic. Do you consider debating with a professor an essential part of your learning process, or would that be something completely inappropriate? 

Depending on our background, our understanding of what may be considered “appropriate” and what may not vary greatly. Every culture has its own unspoken or explicit rules regarding how we should treat each group of people: the elderly, the youth, professors, doctors, people from the same or opposite sex, our parents, our children, and so on.

Sometimes, one of the biggest culture shocks that we experience when we live abroad is dealing with different cultural communication styles. For one culture, being assertive can mean expressing your ideas clearly, directly, and looking into people’s eyes while you talk. For another culture, that way of communication can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect, crossing boundaries, or being rude. 

For some years, I lived in Barcelona. The language was not an issue for me, as I am a native Spanish speaker. Yet, at the beginning of my life there, I thought that most people I encountered in the street or in my university were either upset or did not have good manners. All those indirect phrases that I learned in my country to talk to anyone who was not part of my immediate circle, were not very much used by them. Rather, they would talk to me directly and going straight to the point, without adding any “Do you mind…/Could you please…/Would you…?” Were they being rude? Well, if you have asked me back then I would have said “Oh YES!” But now, I can tell you that they were not.

What set us apart? Within the field of cultural studies, there is a framework called “High- and Low-Context Cultures.” Our style of cultural communication falls within the line of this spectrum.

• High-Context Cultures favour an indirect and non-verbal style of communication (does it sound similar to my background?). These cultures emphasise the relational aspect of interactions, before “getting down to business” (talking about facts and numbers). Also, high-context cultures set more strict boundaries in terms of how to address people with rank, authority, or hierarchy.
• Low-Context Cultures favour direct and precise communication (sound familiar with the people I first encountered in Barcelona?). Another characteristic is the importance of communicating facts, regardless of how much rapport we previously built with the other person. For example, in the U.S. factual communication tend to be prevalent in academic and work environments.

Something to keep in mind is that this framework of High- and Low-Context Culture do not have to be seen as two different boxes, but more like the end-line of a spectrum. In other words, depending on the country where you are from, you may have inherited or learned more characteristics of one side of the spectrum or the other, but no country or no culture falls 100% in each of these labels.

Final thought: Remember that every person is different and unique, regardless of their cultural background or nationality. You may be studying in a country with a predominant high- or low-context culture and find people from that country who will not fall into those broad categories.

Studying abroad is a very exciting experience! There is nothing like advancing your career, traveling to another country, and learning about other cultures all at once. However, that excitement can quickly turn into anxiety-provoking situations like going through getting a visa, saying goodbye to your loved ones, or even figuring out what to pack in your suitcase.
I have been an international student not once, but three times in Europe and the United States. Here are the 3 most important things I learned during my pre-departure journey.

Apply early for your visa
Believe me, you do not want to leave this for the very last minute! Depending on your passport nationality or the length of your educational program, most countries will ask you to apply for a student visa. The task may be long and burdensome, which are the ones we usually procrastinate on. Please, do not procrastinate on your visa application! If you do not know which documents you will need to submit for your visa, search the website of the country’s Consulate, or reach out to the Office for International Students at the University you will be attending. The consulate and the institution abroad will guide you in the right direction!

Pack Smartly
Let’s be honest, most airlines only allow 1 or 2 suitcases if you are traveling in tourist class. Depending on your budget, paying for extra baggage may not be an option. Thus, the question that may pop in your mind is “How am I supposed to pack everything that I need in just a couple of suitcases? My program last 2 YEARS!” Please, don’t panic! Moving abroad can cause a lot of anxiety, especially when the date of departure is approaching, and you have to get everything ready. Since I have made transatlantic moves in the last few years, packing is one of those skills that I am mastering. In my last international move from the US to Spain, I managed to pack all my belongings (including winter clothes) in 2 suitcases and one backpack. My advice: “Pack Smartly and Prioritize”. Think about what you TRULY are going to NEED and pack those things first. If you are unsure about what you are going to need ask yourself these questions: How is the weather in the place you are moving to? How long each season lasts? Are you going to need more winter or summer clothes? Do you anticipate wearing informal or business-casual clothing in your program (you can check the gallery photos of your department’s website for reference? How much storage space do you anticipate having in your host country (are you renting a room or an apartment)?

Ask people who have moved abroad about their experiences
Ask, ask, and ask again. If you know people who have moved abroad, reach out to them and listen to what they have to say. If you know anyone in your host country, contact that person, and ask them about what to expect once you arrive there. What is the cost of living in that country? How can you rent a place? Can you move around on public transportation in that city? Are you legally allowed to work while you study? (every country has different working restrictions for international students, ask your institution or the country’s consulate about this matter to be well-informed).
And here it is the final tip!…

(I know I titled this article by saying “The 3 Most Important Things…”. Usually, our brains feel overwhelmed when they have to process lots of information. Hence, the last tip will be more like a bonus).
Bonus Tip: If you will study abroad in a foreign language, practice as much as possible before you take that flight of departure!

Language barriers are REAL. Regardless of our level of fluency in a foreign language, sometimes we can experience a loss of confidence when we found ourselves in a classroom surrounded by native-speaker students and professors. In those moments, all that anxiety that we felt as a beginner learner can reappear and compromise our concentration and communication skills. What is the best way to manage this lack of confidence? Start to live and breathe in that foreign language NOW! Watch movies, read books or blogs, follow social accounts, leave comments in those accounts, talk to yourself, and do the activities you love in that language. The more you practice the more confident you will feel! (that’s true for any learning process).

Finally, I wish you ALL THE BEST in your study abroad! Once you are in that airplane, enjoy and appreciate every bit of your new experience!
Milena Tesi
(Bilingual Content Writer and Mentor for People Living Abroad. IG Account: @immigrantsplace)

When I moved to study abroad, I was feeling enthusiastic about living in another country, speaking in another language, being independent for the first time, and even experiencing the change of four seasons (I come from a tropical country that only has a dry and rainy season, so watching the leaves to change color or living in below zero degrees was completely new to me).

I was feeling very excited about my future! And yet, from time to time a form of nostalgia would sink in and I would start to miss my noisy family, having coffee with my close friends, or the Sunday family gatherings at my grandmother’s house. Then the day of my birthday came, and I was alone. I received phone calls and WhatsApp messages from my family and friends, but they were not PHYSICALLY there. Birthdays, family weddings, holidays, and special occasions all turn out into long-distance events lived through my phone screen.

Most of the time, we hear about the bright and shining side of living or studying abroad, but we do not get to hear about the emotional cost that comes with it. That form of nostalgia or grief that I am talking about is called HOMESICKNESS. Let me tell you something quick about it: Homesickness is REAL, it can be VERY PAINFUL, and if you have been living abroad for a while, probably you have experienced IT whether you were conscious about it or not.

For me, homesickness felt like sadness or nostalgia. However, those are only two types of symptoms for something that is way more complex. Homesickness is a type of grief. Research has shown that grief is not only an emotional process but also a cognitive and a physical one. That means that your homesickness can affect your body, your mind, and your emotions.

Some of the symptoms that you may experience, include:

• Sadness, nostalgia, loneliness.
• Lack of concentration due to recurring thoughts of missing home country.
• Crying regularly every time one remembers one home country.
• Irritability, frequent complaining, or hostility towards the host country.
• Loss of appetite or overeating as a coping mechanism.
• Headaches or stomachaches for no medical reasons.
• Headaches or stomachaches for no medical reasons.
• Having sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleeping too much).
• Anxiety, Depression.

Homesickness is normal. Anyone who lives abroad can experience it at different points of their journey. After all, as human beings, we get attached to people, places, and things, and when they are no longer there, we grieve for those losses. But you are not alone!

If you are studying abroad and are feeling homesick, some people may be able to help you. Many colleges or universities in Europe and North America offer to their students free or low-cost mental health counseling, support groups, and other wellness resources. Make sure to check your University Website to find more information or ask your school counselor where you can access these resources! Another place you can look for is in your university’s Office for International Students. As I said before, many
international students experience homesickness, and your international student counselor may be able to assist you in finding the resources that you need to navigate that experience.

Other advice? Keep in touch as often as possible with your family, friends, or any other supporting person around you. Being physically apart does not have to mean being emotionally disconnected. Most importantly, be patient with yourself and with your process of adjustment. You are doing it great! Just take one day at a time!

Milena Tesi
(Bilingual Content Writer and Mentor for People Living Abroad. IG Account: @immigrantsplace)