If you’re reading this as you prepare for your next language trip abroad, or if you’re already in a far-flung corner of the world, remember: it’s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed. We’ve all experienced this!
It’s the experience of a lifetime and adjusting may be one of the biggest challenges you’ll have to overcome. The first few days of your adventure abroad are crucial for how you will feel and evaluate the rest of your time there. So here are some useful tips for your first week in a brand new city. Buckle up and read on!
1. Get a little taste of abroad
Follow EF on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok. There, our EF language schools and students currently living abroad show cool things you can do. Here you will find lots of inspiration for your time at your destination.
Tip: Download the Campus Connect app from any app store. This way, you can see your schedule, receive important notifications, and participate in any activities your school has planned for you.
2. Adapt
When you move from one time zone to another, your body and mind have a lot of catching up to do. Remember that jet lag will only be temporary. You just need some time to adjust your internal clock. The first week of school will be tough, so get some rest!
Tip: Make sure you have completed the placement test in the Campus Connect app before your arrival. Give yourself enough time and complete it without any pressure. The aim here is simply to determine your current language level. You shouldn’t do it on the first day of school while everyone else is already getting to know each other – especially if you’re jetlagged!
3. Settling in abroad
Make your new living space feel like home. It’s incredible what something as simple as unpacking and organizing your things can do to send homesickness far away.
Tip: Choose a few things that provide a feeling of familiarity and comfort, but also leave plenty of room for new memories. You’ll collect a lot of them!
4. Explore your new city abroad
Even if you look like a tourist walking around with a map, there’s no better way to familiarize yourself with your host city and campus than by exploring everything on foot. Visit the most important buildings, explore your new neighborhood, visit museums and national parks.
Tip: Navigating public transportation in a new city abroad can be intimidating. Luckily, all major cities have public transport maps that you can download to your phone for free.
5. Ask
You will definitely have a lot to do on your first few days at school. You will also need to absorb a lot of information. But don’t worry: the EF team is here to help you. So if you need something or don’t understand, just ask. Remember: There are no stupid questions.
Tip: Here are some useful things to bring to school: a portable phone charger, a pen, a notebook, and a refillable water bottle.
6. Make mistakes
Do your best to speak the language you want to learn and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Remember: everyone is in the same situation as you.
Tip: Set your phone to the local language to learn new words.
7. Say yes
It’s time to bring out your extroverted personality. Be sociable, mix with the other students in your class or accommodation and try to talk to as many new people as possible. If someone invites you out for coffee or to the beach, say yes! You’re here to learn a new language, but it’s the new friends that really make the stay special.
Tip: You will meet people from many different cultures and you may even meet people from certain countries for the first time. Always be open-minded and respectful.
8. Stay in touch
It’s important to make new contacts, but it’s also important to regularly maintain your relationships back home. If you share your first impressions of life abroad with the people you love, you will feel less homesick.
Tip: Buy a local SIM card. At the EF schools, our employees will be happy to help you with this at any time and give you valuable tips or show you the best shop to buy them during a tour of the city.
9. Do what the Romans do
Immerse yourself in another culture, with its own history, way of life and etiquette. This is a part that is particularly fun during a language trip. As you come into contact with more and more people, you will better understand the new culture you now live in.
Tip: Embrace local history and appreciate the similarities with your host country by immersing yourself in local books and films.
10. This is just the beginning
Take time to get used to the differences. Don’t be discouraged if the first few days of school don’t go as expected – they probably won’t. Remember that you have plenty of time to feel comfortable in your destination and make new friends for life. We can promise you that!
