The ISA JournalAdapting, Growing, Belonging: Finding a Home While Studying Abroad

Choosing to study abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have grown tremendously as a person, and choosing Morocco gave me a new perspective on life that I will forever be grateful for. However, while I could go on and on about how incredible the opportunity was, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Studying abroad can be quite challenging. Putting yourself in new situations while knowing you can’t possibly predict what could happen in an unfamiliar culture is nerve-wracking.

However, this shouldn’t turn you away from choosing to study abroad, and I have been given the privilege of explaining why!

The chart below represents the typical stages of a study abroad experience. It captures the journey from deciding to study abroad to returning home and everything in between. Seeing it beforehand felt intimidating—and trust me, it was. But the positives far outweighed the challenges. Below, I’ll walk you through eight stages of my time studying abroad in Morocco, along with some personal insights from my journey.

Preparation

The lead-up to my trip was filled with anticipation and nerves. A new environment with unfamiliar foods, people, and customs overwhelmed me with excitement, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety of leaving everything familiar behind. Meeting the people I’d spend the next three months with beforehand helped ease some of my worries, and I leaned into those nerves as a way to challenge myself.

While it was difficult to imagine being away from everything dear to me, I used those fears to push myself out of my comfort zone. I knew this experience had the potential to help me grow in ways I’d never imagined.

Arrival (Honeymoon Phase)

In the first few days, everything felt magical. From the vibrant atmosphere of Casablanca to the warm smiles of strangers, I was caught up in the thrill of being in a new place. But soon, the excitement began to fade as I transitioned to the next stage: culture shock.

Culture Shock

Culture shock hit me harder than I expected. For me, the language barrier was the most overwhelming part. I constantly felt discouraged by my inability to communicate with locals, and even simple tasks like ordering food felt intimidating. One of the more jarring moments of culture shock came during my first walk alone, when I experienced catcalling—a reminder of the challenges women face navigating public spaces in unfamiliar cultural contexts.

This phase is different for everyone. It could look like homesickness, difficulty adjusting to new norms, or even missing your favorite comfort foods. For me, it was a mix of these, but the language barrier and adjustment of being a woman in an unfamiliar space stood out the most.

Adjustment

Over time, I started to find my rhythm. I built routines that gave me a sense of normalcy, like going to the gym and exploring the city. I believe it’s important that you find things that bring you comfort while abroad, the gym or finding cafes to study at was an ideal route for me. These small acts of self-care helped me feel grounded, even in a foreign environment.

At times, it was difficult to focus on schoolwork because my mind was consumed with adjusting to daily life and planning what trips I wanted to take while in Morocco. But I soon learned how to navigate Meknes and found a balance of homework and traveling that worked for me.

Integration

This step is not linear and may occur at various times of your study abroad experience, although this is the part of my trip where certain actions began to feel like second nature. 

I immersed myself in the culture through small but meaningful acts—sharing tea with locals, joining in traditional meals, and participating in celebrations. These experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for the life of Moroccans and guided me towards a genuine connection with the community. 

Pre-Return Anxiety

As my program neared its end, I struggled with the thought of leaving. By then, Morocco had become a second home. I had built relationships, fallen in love with certain routines, and grown attached to the everyday life of Meknes.

Saying goodbye was difficult. I cherished moments like watching the Moroccan sunsets from my favorite spots, receiving all of the Moroccan love and great hospitality from our amazing housekeeper (who is an incredible cook!), and bonding with the other students in my program.

Reverse Culture Shock

Returning home felt bittersweet. Immersing myself back into American society after months abroad felt almost foreign. Little things I once took for granted, like seeing familiar food or landscapes, suddenly felt strange.

At the same time, I found myself missing Morocco. The challenges I had faced abroad now seemed small compared to the memories I made. While I was happy to reunite with my family, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much I had grown during my time away.

Reflection and Reintegration

Reintegrating into life in the United States hasn’t been too challenging for me, but I know this isn’t an universal experience. Adjusting to co-ed gyms again and having more food options felt strange at first (as a vegetarian), but these differences have only reminded me of how adaptable I’ve become.

Studying abroad changed me in ways I never expected. It taught me independence, confidence, and adaptability. I now approach life with a more open mind and a deeper appreciation for new experiences. My passion for traveling has only grown and being more comfortable in my own skin is something I can largely attribute to choosing to studying abroad. 

Of course, all of my experiences while abroad are subjective, and everyone will develop their own personal interpretations of studying abroad. If you’ve ever even thought about studying abroad, I encourage you to explore the idea further! Talk to your family and friends, research programs, and take that leap of faith. The challenges are real, but the growth and experiences are unmatched. Who knows what amazing opportunities await you?

Tamiah Williams, Seattle Pacific University, is studying abroad with ISA in Meknes, Morocco.