Studying Abroad with Anxiety
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There were many times when studying abroad with anxiety was challenging, but there were also many things that helped me cope. I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life, and it has stopped me from doing many things that I wanted to experience. Even though I was nervous about leaving home and entering a completely unfamiliar environment, I knew I would regret letting my anxiety prevent me from studying abroad. Throughout my semester, I learned a lot about myself and discovered healthy ways to manage my anxiety while still enjoying new experiences. Here are a few things that helped me during my time abroad.
Setting Goals: When I first decided to study abroad, I knew it would be a life-changing experience. There were so many things I wanted to accomplish and learn about myself during the semester. However, once I arrived, I quickly began to feel overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment, different routines, and distance from home. To help myself stay focused, I sat down and wrote out a list of goals for the semester. This reminded me of why I chose to study abroad in the first place and gave me something positive to work toward. Some of my goals included becoming more independent, improving my health by walking more every day, and saying “yes” to new experiences even when they felt uncomfortable. Having these goals helped motivate me during difficult moments and reminded me that growth often comes from stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Rationalizing: When I first arrived abroad, I experienced many worries that felt overwhelming at times. I often found myself overthinking situations and imagining worst-case scenarios. To manage these thoughts, I sat down with my journal and wrote out all of my fears—being away from my family, adjusting to everything new, and worrying that something bad might happen while I was gone. After writing them down, I challenged each fear with a rational response. I reminded myself that I would see my loved ones again, that my time abroad was only temporary, and that new experiences can actually be exciting and rewarding. I also realized that unexpected things can happen whether I am home or abroad, and worrying constantly would not prevent them. This exercise helped me calm down and view my anxiety more realistically instead of letting my fears completely take over my thoughts.
Calling Loved Ones: There were many times when I had a difficult day and called my mom, dad, or boyfriend for support. Being far away from home sometimes made me feel lonely, especially when I was struggling with anxiety or feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Talking to familiar people helped me feel grounded and comforted during those moments. Even a short conversation with someone who knew me well could make me feel calmer and remind me that I was not alone. I was able to talk openly about my anxiety, my experiences abroad, and the challenges I was facing, and they were always there to reassure and encourage me. Having a strong support system made a huge difference during my semester and helped me continue pushing myself even when things felt difficult.
Although studying abroad with anxiety was not always easy, it ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I learned that anxiety does not have to stop me from pursuing opportunities or trying new things. By setting goals, rationalizing my fears, and leaning on the support of loved ones, I was able to manage my anxiety and fully experience my time abroad. Studying abroad taught me that growth often comes from uncomfortable situations and it gave me more confidence in myself and my ability to handle challenges in the future.
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