Do you recall how it felt to be the new person in a room? There is a particular anxious energy that comes with being in an unknown place, whether it was your first day of kindergarten or switching high schools in the middle of the year. I had the exact same thing on my first day of courses while studying overseas.

It’s likely that you will be taking practical elective courses to fulfill your credit needs while you’re overseas. The academic experience genuinely influences your perception of the new institution you’re entering, as you have the flexibility to select your own courses, some of which may have a different structure than you’re used to. It gave me comfort to know that I wasn’t alone among the international students in my study abroad program when I had similar feelings. There is a certain resentment at being someone new to a place that already has a distinct culture, rhythm, and speed. Finding a way to reconcile your daily life with this new obligation seems like you’re trying to hop on a moving train. Having spent my childhood moving to several states and countries, I was fairly accustomed to “starting over.” Even though it’s never the most comfortable situation, I’ve learned to embrace it as a chance to travel and meet new people. Therefore, I wasn’t very concerned about the social adjustment process. I was worried about how I would adjust academically to a new system, though. Thankfully, the instructors did a great job outlining the differences and the program. For assigning grades. This increased our confidence over time. Meeting someone who understand your concerns is also usually comforting, particularly if they live nearby. Any intensive language or culture training—like the Italian intensive course I took, for example—is something I would strongly advise taking. During the initial weeks of immersion, you can establish strong friendships that will serve as a basis for the remainder of your adventure.

In conclusion, I would suggest doing your homework and taking notes at orientation if you had to start over, especially if you were studying abroad. You should be fine as long as you can locate your classroom. Whether they admit it or not, everyone gets anxious sometimes, and a little bit of encouragement from one another can help to calm the nerves on your first day.