This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or sign up through any of the links on this website, at no extra cost to you. View disclaimer for more information.
As summer comes to end, your study abroad journey might be coming closer and closer. The nerves are probably starting to kick in and your getting really antsy about what to pack and what countries you want to visit. Pre Study Abroad Jitters are real, and it’s totally ok. Before I went abroad I was horribly nervous, even thought about canceling the whole trip because I didn’t know anybody. Thankfully, it all went through and I had the best experience of my life. In order to help you with your pre study abroad jitters, I created a list of things you can do to help tame them.
Studying abroad is a huge step into a type of independence you’ve never experienced. You are going to a completely new country, potentially by yourself, and your parents / best friends are half way across the world. It is ok to be nervous, and in all honesty we all got those pre study abroad jitters.
Reaching out to other people who studied abroad is totally calming. Even if you don’t know them personally and may have only seen their Instagram pictures. Most people who study abroad come back and want to share their experiences, so it’s not weird at all if you ask! They’ll have an outlook on their experience completely different than what you see in pictures or online.
There are a ton of study abroad students out there that write about their study abroad experiences! (Me being one of them). Continue to read blog post about what you may be feeling or about other peoples’ experiences studying abroad and maybe reach out to a blogger. Study abroad and travel bloggers really helped me calm my pre study abroad nerves.
Packing for your study abroad trip is really fricken hard. Trust me, I know. Literally, packing your life into a big suitcase is extremely difficult and not knowing what to pack definitely amplified my pre study abroad jitters even more! Researching different study abroad packing lists really helped me fit six-months of clothing into one big suitcase and a carry on. Quite difficult, but definitely worth it because most of us tend to overpack.
I aimed to pack one big suitcase, so I could come back with an extra suitcase of souvenirs and items I bought from different countries. You are going to want to shop, so I’d say only bring the basics.
Here’s a couple packing guides I’ve created that may help you pack your suitcases:
A List of Things to Ask for Before Studying Abroad
Women’s Packing List for Backpacking Europe
Your parents are an amazing resource! Literally I feel like my parents always know how to calm my nerves regardless the situation, so talking to them prior to studying abroad really helped calm my nerves!
Talk to your parents about what you might be feeling and why, they’ll help comfort you and be there for you the entire journey. They might know someone that can help or have friends of friends that you might be able to talk to about traveling.
Before I studied abroad in Rome, I literally looked up every possible article on Rome. And even though, I had previously been to Rome, reading more articles on it really helped me calm my pre study abroad jitters. I researched things to do, what not to do, basic Italian survival phrases, what to eat, what kind of clothes are fashionable, and literally every other thing possible.
I used Pinterest to help me find everything about Studying Abroad. If you want to read more about the country or continent you are traveling to or just want to read general traveling tips, then check out the Ang Around The Globe Pinterest!
Looking up possible weekend destinations filled me with more excitement that I would literally forget about my pre study abroad jitters. Traveling is a big part of your study abroad experience, so look up places you’ve dreamed about going your entire life. If you’re feeling spontaneous then look at places you’ve never heard of!
Looking up possible weekend destinations will help later on when you plan on booking your flights. If you want to read more about weekend destinations and traveling then check out my How to Book Kickass Weekend Trips post!
Your study abroad advisor is a resource that is there for you every step of the way. Reaching out to him / her will help calm your nerves. Study abroad advisors have sent hundreds of students abroad and know the feeling. Talk to them and be open about what you may be feeling and they’ll help you. They can even connect you with someone that studied abroad at your university. Use them as a resource!
Overall, studying abroad is a scary thing and having pre study abroad jitters is one hundred percent normal. I had them and pretty much everyone I talked to also had them. In the end, your experience will be so life changing that you’ll probably forget you even had those jitters.
Anyway, I hope this post helped you and I would love to hear about some things you did to help you overcome your pre study abroad jitters! Until then, I’ll see you in the next post!
Xoxo, Angelique Vestil – Ang Around The Globe
Like this post? Don’t forget to pin it!
Check out some of my favorite tools and companies I actually use when I travel.
Need a Bank Account for Life Abroad? Wise is the best option for travelers, study abroad students and expats. I use it as my everyday checking account since it lets me hold and spend in multiple currencies without getting hit with a bad exchange rate every time I cross a border.
Want to Travel for Free & Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees? I put my spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and let the points cover flights and hotels I'd otherwise be paying for out of pocket. I've been able to use the points I earn on this card to pay for flights, hotels and meals all around the world!
Please Don't Forget Travel Insurance! Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never go on a trip without it. My two favorites are:
Need a Flight? I personally love using Google Flights to track prices and compare dates before I commit, the flexible date view alone has saved me a lot of money. Skyscanner is another great search engine to find cheap flights because it searches sites and airlines around the globe, so you know no cheap deal is being left on the table.
Getting Around Southeast Asia? Book your buses, trains, and ferries with 12Go Asia. One search shows you every route and price, so you're not digging through ten different local booking sites.
Need a Place to Stay? Book your hotel with Expedia, where I start looking, especially when I want to bundle flights and stays together. Hotels.com is my backup when I want to compare prices or I'm chasing their rewards program for a free night.
On a Tighter Budget? Hostelworld is where I go for hostels. It has the largest inventory out there, and you can search for dorm beds or private rooms depending on what you're after!
Want a Free Way to Travel? Try TrustedHousesitters! You look after someone's home and pets while they're away, and in exchange you get free accommodation (minus the subscription fee). It's a great option if you're traveling long term and want to cut costs. I personally use this as a host and a sitter, and it's truly great!
Need Inspiration or Just Want to See What's Out There? Go Guides is a solid resource for destination guides, must-see landmarks, local markets, best beaches, and things to do, browsable by place or by theme. It's a good stop whether you already know where you're headed or you're still looking for your next destination.
Check out my full packing gear guide for everything I bring on international trips, or browse my favorite travel finds on Amazon for quick links to it all.
Check out my full resource page for every company I use when I travel. I list them all in one place so you can go from planning to booked without digging through old blog posts!
Hey there, I'm Angelique!
I'm a Filipina-American, Chicago native living abroad and running my online design agency from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over a decade of traveling in, and yes, I still pinch myself. With family split between the US, UK, and SE Asia, travel has always been part of my story. This blog is where I share the honest side of living and traveling abroad, the places I explore, my best study abroad tips from personal experience, and the little hacks that make this life actually work. Glad you're here, friend!
Studying abroad soon?
everything to sort before you go, in one printable page.
Grab the printable study abroad checklist covering the paperwork, money, and packing stuff that's easy to forget until you're already there wishing you'd sorted it!