Blog

I remember sitting at the airport with my giant suitcase, thinking, “Cool, my life is about to change.” Then, about two weeks later, I was in a foreign supermarket almost crying over the price of cereal and a broken SIM card.

If you want the short version: study abroad is worth it, but a lot of the stress, money burn, and FOMO comes from avoidable mistakes. The key is to treat it less like a vacation and more like moving your life to another country for a few months: plan your money, your courses, your housing, your phone, and your expectations like someone who has to live there, not just visit.

Big picture: the mindset mistakes no one warns you about

During my pre-departure briefing, everyone talked about culture shock and “expanding horizons”. No one mentioned that half of my stress came from expectations that were just wrong.

The biggest mistake is treating study abroad like an extended holiday instead of a serious, but fun, relocation.

Mistake 1: Treating it like a trip, not a temporary life

If you plan like a tourist, you will live like a tourist: overspending, under-prepared, and always slightly lost.
You are not visiting for a week; you are building a mini-life. That means you need systems, not just vibes.

Once I started thinking, “OK, if I had to live here for 2 years, what would I set up?” things changed:
– I picked a regular grocery store instead of eating out every day.
– I found a gym that was not ridiculously expensive.
– I stopped trying to see every sight in the first month.
– I learned the boring but useful things: where to get cheap household stuff, how the local public transport cards work, what time the shops close.

A good question before any decision: “Would I do this if I were a local student here?”

Mistake 2: Romanticizing the destination too much

Every country has Instagram sections and real-life sections. Your experience will lean heavily toward the second one.

If you expect:
– Constant adventures
– Perfect friendships
– That you will magically “become a new person”

You will get disappointed very fast. Most days are regular: classes, laundry, homework, trying not to overspend on coffee. The special moments feel better when you stop expecting your life to look like a travel reel.

I realized during a lecture that I was frustrated not because my program was bad, but because I was comparing my Tuesday afternoons to other people’s 15-second highlight clips. Once I dropped that, I enjoyed the “boring” parts more. Those were the parts where I actually learned how people live there.

Mistake 3: Acting like your home life is “on pause”

Many students behave as if their real life is back home and this semester is some separate side story. That is dangerous for two reasons:
– You neglect your long-term goals (career, skills, grades).
– You float through the experience without building anything solid from it.

Your study abroad semester is not a break from your life; it is chapter 6 of the same book.

Questions I wish I asked myself earlier:
– “What do I want to come back with besides memories?”
– “How will this fit into my CV or grad school story?”
– “Which local opportunities can I tap into: clubs, research, meetups, volunteering?”

The students who got the most out of it were not just collecting photos; they were collecting relationships and proof of what they did and learned.

Money mistakes that quietly ruin the experience

My biggest shock was not culture shock. It was “Wow, I have spent this much already?” shock. Study abroad costs are sneaky, because everything feels “once in a lifetime”, and that phrase is a budget killer.

Mistake 4: Underestimating the real cost of living

Most of us only check tuition and maybe housing. That is not enough. Real cost of living includes a lot of small things that stack up.

• Food (grocery vs eating out)
• Phone and data
• Local transport and late-night options
• Student fees, printing, library charges
• Health insurance or top-ups
• Random household items: bedding, kitchen gear, adapters
• Social life: coffee, drinks, clubs, trips

A simple way to get a more honest picture: message two or three current or recent students at that university. Ask them:
– “How much do you spend in an average week, including going out?”
– “What was the most surprisingly expensive thing?”

Official brochures show minimum survival numbers. Students show real survival numbers.

Mistake 5: No clear weekly budget

I thought, “I am not terrible with money, I will be fine.” That was not a plan. That was denial.

If you only have a total number in your head (for example, “I have 4,000 for the semester”), you will overspend in the first half and panic later. The fix is simple but boring: a weekly budget.

You can adjust these numbers, but the key is this: assign money to categories and track roughly, even if it is just on a notes app. One 10-minute review every Sunday saves you from “how is my card already close to the limit” panic.

Mistake 6: Ignoring bank fees and currency traps

Banks love confused exchange students. Without planning, you burn money on:
– Foreign transaction fees
– ATM withdrawal charges
– Terrible conversion rates
– Emergency international transfers from home

Before you go, compare:
– One or two low-fee cards (online banks, student accounts)
– What ATMs in your host country charge
– Whether you need a local bank account for your housing or part-time job

Always pay in the local currency when the card machine asks you to choose. The “let us convert it for you” option is usually a bad deal.

Also, inform your home bank that you will be abroad. Getting your card blocked in another country is not character building; it is just stressful.

Mistake 7: “I will just travel every weekend” fantasy

This one hurts a bit, because it sounds so good. Study abroad presentations love the line “Perfect hub for weekend trips.” You start listing cities in your head like a shopping wishlist.

Reality:
– Travel is expensive, even with budget airlines or trains.
– It is exhausting. Constant packing, unpacking, catching flights, hostels.
– You miss local life in your host city because you are always leaving it.

A better approach:
– Pick a few high-priority trips and plan them calmly.
– Leave at least 2 or 3 weekends a month to just exist where you actually live.
– Try small, nearby towns or hikes instead of country-hopping every time.

You get deeper memories when you get to know one place well instead of collecting airport stamps like Pokémon cards.

Academic mistakes that cause surprise stress

I thought the “study” part of study abroad would be the easy bit. That was naive. Academic systems feel familiar on the surface, but the rules underneath change a lot by country and university.

Mistake 8: Not checking how credits transfer in detail

This is the boring form-filling part that everyone ignores until it is too late. If you skip it, you risk:
– Courses not counting toward your degree
– Having to retake classes at home
– Delaying graduation

Questions to sort out before you go:

• Exact course codes and titles you plan to take
• How many credits each course is worth at the host and how that converts at home
• Which requirements each course will fulfill in your degree back home
• What happens if a course is canceled or timetable changes

Take screenshots or print everything. Email chains disappear. Admin staff change. The only person who will fight for you later is… you.

Mistake 9: Underestimating the academic culture shift

Grading, participation, exams, and assignments can feel like a different planet:
– Some places have one huge final exam worth 70-100 percent of your grade.
– Some courses expect constant participation and presentations.
– Some systems are stricter on attendance; others do not care at all.

Ask your host classmates early: “What actually matters for this class? What is the professor strict about?”

Things that surprised me:
– How some professors did not respond to email much and expected office hours visits.
– Different expectations about citation, group work, and plagiarism.
– How hard it was to keep up with readings when my brain was also busy decoding life in a new country.

So, front-load the learning curve:
– Read the syllabus properly in week 1.
– Ask previous students from your home university about tough classes or professors.
– Pick a slightly lighter load if you can, especially in your first semester abroad.

Mistake 10: Skipping academic chances outside of class

Many host universities have:
– Research projects that welcome visiting students
– Student-led conferences, hackathons, competitions
– Labs or clubs connected to startups or local companies

Most exchange students never touch these, because it feels temporary. But for students interested in startups or student-led projects, these side activities are gold:
– You meet motivated local students, not just other exchange students.
– You get stories and proof of initiative for your CV or grad school applications.
– Sometimes, you get to see how local industry or entrepreneurship culture actually works.

Saying “yes” to one serious project can matter more than saying yes to ten casual nights out.

Housing, roommates, and the “where do I belong” problem

Housing shapes almost everything: your social circle, your budget, your commute, even your sleep schedule. This is where many avoidable mistakes show up.

Mistake 11: Picking housing based only on price or Instagram vibes

Price matters. A nice view matters. But so do these things:
– Commute time to campus
– Noise at night
– Safety of the neighborhood
– Access to late-night transport
– How heating, water, and internet work

Sometimes that cheap room 45 minutes away costs you:
– Two extra hours a day on transport
– Less time for clubs, hanging out, or part-time work
– Higher transport costs that cancel the rent savings

Think in “total cost”: rent + transport + time + energy.

Before committing, try to:
– Use street view to check the area.
– Search “[neighborhood name] student Reddit” or similar for opinions.
– Ask current students which areas they would avoid.

Mistake 12: Only living with other exchange students

There is nothing wrong with exchange-student housing. It is easy, social, and comforting. The catch is that many people get stuck in an English-speaking bubble and leave the country without real contact with local students.

If you can, look for a mix:

• A dorm with both local and exchange students
• A shared flat with at least one local student
• Student housing where people actually cook and hang out together

You do not have to force yourself into something that feels unsafe or extremely uncomfortable. But remember: the fastest way to understand the culture is to share a kitchen with it.

Mistake 13: No roommate expectations talk

Living with people from different backgrounds is cool… until no one has the same idea of:
– “Clean enough”
– Quiet hours
– Guests and overnight stays
– Shared vs separate food

You do not need a formal contract, but you do need a simple conversation in week 1:
– How do we handle cleaning?
– Can people stay over, and how often?
– What is our policy on noise on weeknights?
– Do we share basics like oil, salt, and toilet paper?

This is one of those things that feels awkward for 10 minutes and then saves you months of silent resentment.

Phones, tech, and getting digitally stuck

You cannot function as a student without some basic tech setup. I underestimated how much hassle a missing SIM card or bad laptop situation can cause.

Mistake 14: Arriving with no phone plan strategy

Relying on airport Wi-Fi and your home SIM roaming for days is a terrible idea. Roaming charges can ruin your budget very quickly. Also, you need data to:
– Find your housing
– Call your landlord or roommates
– Use maps and public transport apps

Plan ahead:

• Check if your phone is unlocked for other carriers.
• Research local pre-paid or student mobile plans before you fly.
• Screenshot directions to your housing and key contacts in case your data fails.

Try to get a local SIM within 24 hours of landing. It is one of the highest-impact “boring” tasks.

eSIMs can be useful for the first few days, but long-term a local SIM or local plan is usually cheaper and more reliable.

Mistake 15: Ignoring backups and device security

You are moving across borders with your entire academic and personal life in your backpack. That is risky. Common problems:
– Phones or laptops get stolen in hostels or bars.
– Bags get lost or damaged in transit.
– Power surges or adapter issues hurt devices.

Counter moves:
– Back up your notes and important documents to the cloud regularly.
– Keep digital copies of your passport, visa, and insurance.
– Use proper adapters and surge-protected power strips.
– Use a password manager and set up “find my device”.

It feels paranoid until something actually disappears. Then it feels very smart.

Social life, loneliness, and the “I thought this would be easier” trap

This is the part no one explains well. Many students feel lonely while surrounded by people, and then feel guilty about that loneliness because “I am abroad, I should be happy.”

Mistake 16: Expecting instant best friends

New place, new people, fresh start… It sounds like friendships will just fall from the sky. In reality:
– Everyone is slightly overwhelmed.
– Most people stick to whoever they meet in the first week.
– Social circles can freeze quickly.

You need some intentional effort:
– Go to the awkward welcome events. Yes, the ones with name tags.
– Join one or two clubs or societies that meet regularly.
– Say “yes” more in the first two weeks, then become more selective later.

The first two weeks are like wet cement for your social life. After that, it starts to set.

Stay friendly to many people, but be patient about depth. Real friends still take time.

Mistake 17: Only hanging out with people from your own country

Finding people from your home country feels safe and familiar. It is helpful in the first days, but it can become a trap. If your closest circle only shares your language and culture, your daily life abroad will feel surprisingly similar to life back home, just with different street signs.

You do not need to avoid your compatriots. Just make sure your world is not 100 percent them:

• Sit with different people in class sometimes.
• Join campus groups that have mostly local students.
• Learn some basic phrases in the local language and actually use them.

The goal is not to collect “international friends” like trading cards, but to avoid building a mini island of your home country inside another country.

Mistake 18: Ignoring mental health until you crash

Culture shock is not always dramatic. Often it is a slow build-up of small stressors:
– Constantly decoding new norms
– Dealing with admin in another language
– Feeling behind socially or academically

Signs you might be struggling more than you think:
– You start avoiding social events you once looked forward to.
– Your sleep is weird and you constantly feel tired.
– You feel guilty a lot for “not enjoying the experience enough.”

Most universities have counseling or support services that are free or low-cost for students. That is not “for other people”. Anyone can use those. Talking to someone who understands adjustment stress can fix problems early instead of waiting until your grades and friendships also start to suffer.

Language and culture mistakes that keep you on the surface

Even in programs taught in English, the city around you usually runs in a different language and a different set of unspoken rules.

Mistake 19: Not learning basic language skills early

Students often say, “Everyone speaks English there, I will be fine.” Sometimes this is true for the university. It is not always true for:
– Supermarkets
– Post offices
– Clinics
– Older people
– Government offices

You do not need fluency to function better. Just learn:
– Greetings
– Numbers
– “I do not speak [language] well, do you speak English?”
– “Please”, “thank you”, “sorry”
– How to order food and ask for the bill

People forgive bad grammar. They are less forgiving of zero effort.

Those small attempts often flip interactions from cold to kind.

Mistake 20: Ignoring local student culture

It is easy to act like a visitor: you see the city, but not how students there live. Ask:
– How do local students study for exams?
– What do they do on weekends?
– How do they think about part-time jobs, internships, or startups?

If your niche is student projects and entrepreneurship, this is gold territory. You can:
– Attend public events at local incubators or maker spaces.
– Join hackathons or case competitions.
– Talk to students building things: apps, social projects, small businesses.

You start to see patterns: what ideas are popular there, how risk-tolerant people are, how much support exists for young founders. That perspective is more rare and useful than “I visited 10 countries” stories.

Logistics and admin mistakes that cost time and sanity

The unglamorous side of study abroad is forms, lines, and registrations. If you ignore these, they come back as chaos when you have the least energy.

Mistake 21: Leaving visas and documents to the last minute

Visa processes can be slow, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. Some embassies have:
– Long appointment wait times
– Extra requirements for student visas
– Rules about when you can enter the country

Start early. Very early. Create a list:

• Passport validity (usually needs to extend past your return date).
• Visa type and specific requirements.
• Proof of funds or bank statements.
• Housing confirmation letters.
• Insurance documents.

Scan everything into a folder you can access online. Carry printed copies during travel. It feels over-prepared until someone asks for a paper you forgot existed.

Mistake 22: Missing registrations and local obligations

Some cities or countries require you to:
– Register your address with the local authorities
– Report your presence within a few days of arrival
– Carry certain documents at all times

Your university international office often explains this, but students are tired and only half-listening. That is risky. Missing a registration might:
– Create problems for your visa
– Make it hard to extend your stay
– Cause trouble at the border when you leave or re-enter

Take those emails seriously, even if they look boring. If something is unclear, ask. Sending one short email now is easier than dealing with government offices under time pressure later.

Mistake 23: No backup plan for housing or course changes

Things change:
– Your assigned dorm has a problem.
– A course you need is suddenly full or canceled.
– Your roommate situation becomes unworkable.

You cannot predict everything, but you can:
– Save a small financial buffer for emergencies.
– Keep a shortlist of alternative courses that could still count toward your degree.
– Know the deadlines for changing courses or housing.

Flexibility is not just an attitude; it is preparation for Plan B and Plan C before you need them.

Capturing the experience without being consumed by it

Everyone talks about “making memories”, but no one talks about what to do with them once you get back besides posting photos.

Mistake 24: Not documenting what you actually learned

Later, when you apply for jobs, scholarships, or programs, people will ask:
– “Tell me about a time you adapted to a new environment.”
– “What did you gain from your time abroad?”

If all you have is “It was cool, I traveled a lot”, you miss a chance. A simple fix is a reflection habit:
– Once a week, write 10 lines about what surprised you or challenged you.
– Keep a list of small “wins”: solving a problem, running a group project, handling a conflict.

These notes become:
– Material for future essays or interviews.
– A record of your growth when memories start to blend.

Mistake 25: Letting content creation eat your experience

There is a thin line between recording your life and performing it. Constantly thinking:
– “Is this postable?”
– “How will this look on my story?”

can ruin your presence in the actual moment. Yes, it is nice to share. But:
– Give yourself phone-free blocks, especially in new places.
– Take a photo, then put the camera away. Edit and post later.
– Do some things that are just for you, not for your follower list.

Paradoxically, your best stories often come from the times you were not trying to generate content. They sound less like a travel advertisement and more like real life.

What I actually wish someone had told me before I left

If I compress everything I learned into a few key “I wish I knew” points, it looks like this:

• Plan your money like an adult, travel like a student.
• Treat study abroad as part of your main life story, not a side quest.
• Choose housing and courses with your energy, time, and sanity in mind, not just surface appeal.
• Take the admin and boring logistics very seriously; that is what keeps the fun parts possible.
• Build at least one or two local connections that are deeper than party acquaintances.
• Document not only where you went, but what you did, solved, and learned.

The goal is not a perfect semester. The goal is to return with fewer regrets and more real growth than stress scars.

Study abroad will still surprise you. Things will still go wrong. That is normal. The point of avoiding these mistakes is not to control everything, but to free up your time, energy, and budget so you can actually notice the moments that matter: the late-night conversations, the random side projects, the one class that changes how you see your field, the city that slowly stops feeling foreign and starts feeling like a version of home.