Studying Abroad Solo: An opportunity for new friendships and personal growth
In her study abroad blog, AZI intern Kylie shares her experiences and advice for students studying abroad.
If you’re considering studying abroad but are worried about embarking without knowing anyone prior, this article is for you!
It is completely normal to get nervous when moving to a new country by yourself! Before I went abroad to both UA Barcelona and UA Sydney, I almost backed out due to the fear of embarking alone. Now, I can’t even imagine missing out on all the places I visited and faces I met abroad, and I definitely know I would have regretted letting the fear win.
I recently experienced this whole process as a student embarking for UA Sydney. As I am writing this only a week into my time here, I have been stunned by how many new, warm people I have met from all over the world already. To help ease any nerves you are experiencing, I want to share some opportunities and tips for how to get involved and meet new people during your study abroad program.
Connect with Students Before Embarking
For many programs, your Study Abroad Coordinator will host an orientation for other U of A study abroad students embarking at the same time as you. I highly encourage attending this session and creating a group chat of University of Arizona students, as it will help you have the comfort of a few friendly faces when you first arrive. It is also a great way to ask other students any questions you may have as you prepare to embark.
Additionally, if you are able to connect with other students from different universities or countries that will be in your program, I recommend reaching out to anyone who seems to have common interests. Before coming to UA Sydney, I used the new exchange student orientation platform as a way to connect with people.
Making new friends in Sydney.
Just Say Hi
The first night I arrived at my student housing accommodation, I was greeted in the elevator by a group of students who simply asked my name, where I was from, and where I was studying. Ten floors later, I had already made multiple friends and had plans to join them for card games that evening.
When hanging out with them later, I learned that the very first guy who started a conversation with me seemed to know everyone already. When I asked him how he had so many connections so fast, he shared that he “just says hi” to everyone in our student housing, at campus events, and in classes. Albeit not everyone wants to be an instant friend, he found many students were just as eager to connect with him, and that initiating an introduction conversation was all it took to meet many other welcoming students.
Keep the Conversation Going
After you’ve made some initial connections with other students, I recommend messaging a few people and asking if they’d like to grab coffee or a meal. From my experience, I found everyone I reached out to was eager to meet up. I know reaching out to others may feel uncomfortable at first, but I like to remind myself that I have nothing to lose and the possibility of a new study abroad best friend to gain!
Engage in Many Welcome/Orientation Week Activities
No matter where you study, there will be ample opportunities to connect with other students in your program, especially during your first few weeks. At UA Sydney’s partner institution, University of Technology Sydney, the welcome activities were fantastic and diverse, offering something for everyone. Even if the activities are a bit more limited, I still encourage you to sign up for a few! They are pretty much a guaranteed way to find people in the same position as you: new to the area and looking to make friends.
As you meet people through these activities, don’t forget to connect with them somehow. I’ve found that many people here use WhatsApp or Instagram to communicate, and it’s a great way to keep in touch with people who you may want to hang out with again.
Interact with Locals
If the opportunity presents itself, I also encourage you to break out of the “study abroad bubble” and interact with the locals! This was something I regret not trying to do more while at UA Barcelona, and it is a personal goal of mine to connect with more locals while I’m a UA Sydney student. Some great ways to start meeting locals can include socializing at community events or festivals, staying with a host family, or joining local groups or clubs.
Savoring Solo Time
Solo trip to Montserrat.
Planning to go abroad alone usually does break outside your comfort zone, but it also opens the door for immense personal growth. I thrive when connecting with people, but studying abroad taught me the value of solo time to truly soak in all the experiences I was having. I enjoy using this reflection time to journal about my travels, people watch, and sometimes take solo adventures. For me, solo adventures can even just mean trying a new restaurant, exploring a new park, or taking a day trip.
Studying abroad is a continuous process of learning new things about yourself and the world around you, and any additional solo time can lead to more independence and self-discovery.
Overall, I want to assure you that even if you are going abroad solo, you will absolutely create meaningful relationships. I know it can be nerve-wracking at first, but don’t let that stop you. Once you take the leap onto the plane, I promise you won’t look back!
To access all of the study abroad blog entries, visit the Kylie Goes Global webpage.