Tips on Mental Health while Studying Abroad
Words and photos by Anika Woelffer, our Jetsetter Journalist who is studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy, during Spring semester 2024.
Studying abroad is an exciting experience, but it comes with some unique challenges. One of these is the toll it can take on your mental health. You're moving to a new country which comes with a different culture, being away from family and friends, and having to start over. It’s important to keep your mental health and overall well-being a priority when immersing yourself in this opportunity to make it the best it can be.
Here are some tips to keep yourself in a positive state and remember it's okay to ask for help!
1. Stay connected.
Stay connected with friends and family. Getting homesick is super common when studying abroad, so maintaining contact with loved ones from back home is crucial. I recommend making a schedule of when to call so it's never pushed off. This is a good way to keep a sense of familiarity and closeness to those back home when you are in a different country. It’s also a good way to catch up and talk about your experience abroad!
Day spent outside with new friends at Bagni Regina Giovanna
2. Build a community.
It's super important to make friends while studying abroad in order to create a sense of belonging and find similar interests. There are many clubs that you can join and activities to meet new people. Specifically at Sant’Anna in Sorrento, Italy, we have soccer with the locals, cooking classes, book clubs, and so much more. Building friendships and relationships with those you are with is super important so you don't feel even lonelier.
3. Stay active.
Staying active not only supports your physical health, but also your mental health. When the weather is nice, it’s especially a perfect opportunity to get outside. Other ways you could stay active are joining your campus's sports teams, going on hikes, renting bikes, or getting a gym membership. This is also a great thing to do with a group of people! Exercise helps reduce stress, can boost your mood, and overall, it make you feel good.
6 mile hike we did with Sant’Anna
4. Learn about cultural differences.
Learning aboutcultural differences will only impact your time abroad positively and make you more culturally aware. This can be learning about language, etiquette, or day-to-day routines which will help you have a better understanding of your host country. Learning about the culture can help you adapt more easily to the environment you're in.
5. Seek help!
Many universities offer support and counseling. This is something you should take full advantage of when you're abroad because it’s normally free! You should never be ashamed to ask for help when it comes to your mental health, especially when going abroad. You are experiencing so many new things which can be very overwhelming and talking to someone can only benefit you during this new experience.
On a walk with my friend Erin exploring Marina Piccola
6. Be flexible.
Studying abroad comes with many different obstacles, but staying flexible is super important to your success. You're supposed to immerse yourself in this new experience and stay open-minded. You will be problem-solving a lot which is a perfect way to have personal growth and to learn something new. By being flexible and open-minded, you won't get overwhelmed as easily.