Celebrating Dorm-Life: The Dos and Don’ts of Studying & Living Abroad

Introduction

The idea of studying and living abroad is an exciting journey. It offers not only academic growth but also personal development.

Every year, millions of students leave their homes and navigate the world during their academic years. When it’s your turn to leave, you’ll experience a mix of excitement and fear. You’ll miss home, and your family will miss you too.

Thanks to today’s connectivity, you can stay in touch with your loved ones anytime. Sending flowers from a local rose delivery center or planning a surprise visit are all part of your journey away from home.

As you embark on this new chapter, the experience of dorm life abroad awaits with its unique blend of excitement and challenges. Understanding and integrating into the dorm-life culture is crucial. This period forms the backbone of your day-to-day experiences.

Going abroad is not just an opportunity to experience a finer education. It is also an opportunity to explore a new country, culture, language, and whole group of new people.

All you need is to keep your mind fresh and healthy. This helps you perceive your new experiences positively and work toward a brighter future. This journey will be one of the most adventurous times of your life.

Preparing for the New Journey

Starting college can stir up a range of emotions, from excitement to anxiety, and it’s normal to feel uncertain about the journey ahead.

However, keeping an open mind is crucial, as everyone experiences college differently.

For some, college is an opportunity to pursue passions, like Theodore Roosevelt did with football, while for others, like Robert Frost, it serves as a refuge from judgment. J.K. Rowling found that college allowed her to unleash her imagination.

The college journey is about discovering your passions and finding the people who will support you. Expect ups and downs, twists and turns, and be prepared for the unexpected.

Dorm life is a major adjustment, especially when living with a new roommate who may have different habits and preferences. While the ideal scenario is becoming best friends, conflicts may arise due to differing lifestyles.

Ultimately, living with a new roommate provides an opportunity for personal growth and learning about others.

Two major parts of dorm life you must consider when preparing for the journey:

Researching your Destination

It is important to consider your goals when choosing a study destination, as countries offer different programs at varying costs.

Understanding the visa process is crucial for students settling permanently abroad, especially with potential changes post-COVID.

Affordability is a key factor in studying abroad, so students should consider tuition, accommodation, meals, transportation, hidden expenses, and scholarship opportunities.

Safety concerns parents, so choosing a country with low crime rates and universities in safe areas is important.

On-campus housing with enhanced security can provide peace of mind. Considering the native language of the country can also ease the transition, as having a community around can help with adaptation and prevent homesickness.

Familiarity with friendly people, food, and routines can make studying abroad a smoother experience overall. 

Packing Essentials

Use a checklist to ensure you have all the essentials for your first year in college.

You may need to modify the list based on your needs and dorm setup. It’s a good idea to consider purchasing items after arrival to save time and money on shipping.

Moreover, remember to pack bedding, clothes for all seasons, bathroom supplies, school essentials, a mini fridge, hangers, and decor for personalizing your dorm.

When packing, factor in dorm room size and local climate. Additionally, confirm if the dorm provides furniture like desks. Packaging for one season and switching items during breaks can be helpful.

Don’t forget to include sheets, pillows, a comforter, towels, toiletries, and a mattress pad.

Dos of Dorm-Life Abroad

Receiving an offer letter from your desired university and booking flight tickets to your destination country are key milestones in your journey toward international education.

Upon arriving in your host country, it is essential to maximize your time there. To do this, you must adhere to guidelines and follow a step-by-step process to make your dorm life a memorable experience.

Look for the Perfect Roommate

Finding a roommate is a whole different ball game. If you find the right person, they’ll be there for the rest of your life. However, if your roommate is not the right person for you, welcome to a period of hellish adversities— your dorm life.

You’ll likely have a roommate if your university doesn’t allow single rooms. Colleges usually send a questionnaire to match you with someone who is compatible.

Living with a roommate allows you to develop important skills like compromising and respect. Be considerate of your roommate’s sleep schedule and cleanliness.

Most non-commuter colleges require first-year students to live on campus, often with a roommate. You can request a room with friends or get a random roommate, which can lead to a new friendship.

Getting a roommate varies but usually involves filling out a questionnaire about preferences.

Connecting with your roommate before move-in day and dividing the packing list can help ensure a smooth living situation. Roommates can also be found on social media roommate pages specific to your school.

Value & Save Your Possessions

Don’t underestimate the value of your possessions. This applies even when you’re living in a bare dorm room.

Since you’ll be living away from your home for a long time, personalizing your dorm room according to your taste and homely details can help you deal with separation anxiety initially.

Thus, add sentimental or aesthetically pleasing items, such as artwork, family photos, and unique decorations. These decor pieces help transform an empty room into a cozy space that reflects your personality and interests.

Moreover, when you portray your taste through your dorm room decor, it often becomes a conversation starter and you find like-minded people in your hostel. They help you deepen friendships and create lasting memories.

Despite the temporary nature of dorm living, investing time and effort into decorating can be fun and meaningful.

Your room can evolve with you as you grow and change throughout your college experience.

Embracing New Cultures & Experiences

Studying abroad means immersing yourself in a new culture. Participating in local customs and traditions, such as trying new foods, attending cultural festivals, and learning traditional dances, is a great way to explore and experience your new home.

Moreover, since this is your home now, you must get used to the food and taste palette of the place. Yes, you will miss home-cooked food and the special dishes of your hometown for a while.

But remember, adapting to new food habits is a journey in itself. Exploring new dishes, including local specialties and street food, can be fun, as can experiencing the culture through food.

Next, making friends with locals through language exchanges, social clubs, or volunteering can help one feel more connected and at home. However, you must maintain care and caution when mixing with a new community.

Know what might hurt their ethnic sentiments. Avoid hurting their beliefs or interfering in their personal issues to keep yourself safe during your stay.

Attend cultural events with your dorm friends, such as concerts, museum exhibits, or sporting events. These activities deepen the understanding of the new culture and create lasting memories.

While studying abroad can be challenging due to language barriers, cultural differences, and academic expectations, being prepared, open-minded, and willing to embrace new experiences can help maximize the study abroad experience and create lifelong memories.

Avoid Getting Distracted

Living with roommates, especially for college students, requires compromise, trial and error, and planning.

To facilitate cohabitation collaboration on campus, here are some tips:

• Set up room rules.
• Discuss responsibilities and quiet hours with roommates before conflicts arise.
• Place the desk strategically to minimize distractions.
• Use headphones and white noise apps to stay focused in a shared space.
• Create “Do Not Disturb” signals for uninterrupted study time.

These strategies help you maintain a peaceful living environment and help other students maintain concentration and productivity despite potential distractions.

Moreover, setting clear boundaries and communicating with roommates can lead to a more harmonious and respectful living situation, enhancing the overall college experience for everyone involved.

Don’ts of Dorm-Life Abroad

Now let us come to the don’ts of living abroad in a dorm life. There’s always a long list of these when it comes to a new experience. Keeping aside the overwhelming excitement and flooding of opportunities, dorm-life comes with several challenges.

However, there’s always a way to skip the challenges and reach a point where you can make your journey smooth and memorable. So, here are the don’ts of living in a dorm—

Don’t Shy Away from Foreigners

Studying abroad involves immersing oneself in the local culture and connecting with diverse people for a richer experience.

Sticking to your social circles limits personal growth and cultural exchange opportunities.

Interacting with locals and international students provides a deeper understanding of the host country’s culture and a global perspective. This exposure enhances adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and future career prospects.

Additionally, it allows for making lifelong, global friends and expanding one’s network. Studying abroad goes beyond academics, offering a chance to become a global citizen and gain valuable life experiences.

Don’t Disrespect the Dorm Rules

Respecting dorm rules (both said and unsaid rules) while studying abroad is crucial for maintaining a positive communal living environment. It helps protect everyone’s rights and comfort.

It also demonstrates cultural respect, influencing perceptions of one’s homeland. Breaking rules can lead to academic and legal consequences, potentially impacting future opportunities.

Following dorm rules teaches discipline and responsibility, valuable skills for professional environments.

Therefore, adhering to dorm rules is essential for harmony, cultural appreciation, avoiding penalties, and developing important life skills.

Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health

Implementing a series of pre-departure and ongoing measures can have a beneficial effect on a student’s mental well-being as they embark on their study abroad experience.

Life in a foreign country may be bustling and fast-paced, but the following strategies can aid in the initial adjustment:

• Keep a journal.
• Connect with other international students.
• Travel and take photos.
• Discover a favorite café to frequent.
• Create a consistent exercise regimen.

It is crucial to recognize that the path to improved self-care is not always straightforward. If you are experiencing a lackluster day, refrain from being too hard on yourself. Seek the necessary assistance and approach each day with a flexible mindset.

Don’t Take Part in Risky Activities

International students frequently lack awareness of the laws and regulations in their host country. Understanding the ramifications of your decisions is crucial.

Avoid participating in protest groups and in situations that may become volatile.

Under no circumstances should you agree to meet anyone in a secluded area. It is crucial for young university and college students to remain vigilant as they are frequently targeted for theft and other crimes.

Understand the Importance of Flexibility & Adaptability

You will encounter a diverse range of students with varying personalities, cultures, and backgrounds, allowing you to appreciate and embrace this diversity in all its facets. You are on the brink of an exciting adventure!

Living in a dormitory offers a one-of-a-kind social experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Living with other students offers numerous chances for personal development and growth.

While they may present challenges, college or senior-level academic programs can also allow for the creation of lasting memories. Participating in one can enhance your college experience and equip you with valuable skills for the future.

Additionally, it offers a preview of dorm life before transitioning to full-time college attendance.

Build Your Life!

Unlike high school, where home was simply a place for homework and rest, dorm life necessitates managing all aspects of life—that too within a single room.

Initially, you will find it difficult to differentiate between your personal life and academic pursuits. The proximity of classes, friends, and hobbies often confuses students who move out of their homes for the first time.

However, you will quickly realize the significance of compartmentalizing various aspects of your life to enhance organization and efficiency.

Established specific areas in your room for sleeping, working, and relaxation, implementing an organizational system to experience greater tranquility amidst the challenges of the semester.

Also, to avoid distractions, you can maintain deadlines and late-night studying habits in libraries.

Designate separate areas for laundry, bedding, art supplies, and other necessities. This will transform your room from a mere space into a meticulously organized system that offers comfort and stability in the midst of the demands of college life.

After a while, returning to your room will feel like coming home from a long, hard day. Your dorm will be your comforting refuge to recharge and tackle the challenges of university life for the next few year.