10 Most Common Challenges Of Studying Abroad In 2024

Studying abroad is an incredibly rewarding experience. It's an excellent opportunity to learn and grow in a new environment and to meet people from all over the world. However, adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle is one of the most particular challenges of studying abroad. Let's look at the top 10 challenges of studying abroad and how to overcome them.

10 Challenges of Studying Abroad and How to Cover Them

For international students, there can be many challenges in studying abroad, which means adapting to a new culture, language, and education system, which can be overwhelming at times. It is not uncommon for international students to experience feelings of homesickness, isolation, and financial difficulties, among other common challenges of studying abroad. However, international students can thrive in their new environment with the right mindset and support. Let's identify 10 of the most common challenges international students face, along with practical tips and strategies for overcoming them. 

1. Culture shock

One of the biggest challenges faced by international students studying abroad is adjusting to a new culture. You’re already new there and know nothing about the culture even after researching because, let's be honest, there are some things that the internet does not hold. Moving to a foreign country where you need help adapting to the new culture and customs can be daunting. 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: To help you adjust, research before you go—learn about the local customs and etiquette and any cultural differences between your home country and your destination country. And even if you dont learn anything through the internet, you’ve got plenty of time to learn it hands-on. This will help make the transition smoother and help you better cope with the common challenges of studying abroad. It would help if you also tried to immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the city, trying new foods, making friends with locals, and learning about their history and traditions.

2.  Overcoming language barriers

This is one of the most common challenges faced by students when they’re planning on studying abroad. When one decides to study abroad in a country where English is not commonly spoken, one may encounter significant language barriers, which are often some of the biggest challenges faced by students studying abroad. 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: To overcome these problems of studying abroad, you must begin learning the language before you go—take classes or use online resources such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone. Then, once you arrive in your host country, practising speaking every day can help you eradicate problems like these that international students face. Go out into public spaces like markets or parks and talk to people; this will help improve your conversational skills quickly! Of course, that is easier said than done, but you need to identify the challenges of studying abroad and how to overcome them 

3. Feeling homesick

Homesickness is another one of the common challenges of studying abroad—it's normal (and even expected). All of us feel homesick after a point, it can be anything from your family or your best friend snack home, and it can be a hurdle in your educational journey abroad. But don't worry, this challenge faced by students also has a solution.

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: The best way to cope with homesickness is by staying connected with family and friends back home—try using video chat services like Skype or Facetime so that you can stay up to date on what's happening back home but still get used to being away from home for extended periods. Additionally, you must make new connections in your host city that can help you overcome most of the common challenges of studying abroad. If possible, seek out other international students who share similar experiences to yours so that they can relate better than locals can! 

4. Financial challenges hit hard

Finances are often overlooked as one of the challenges faced by international students when going abroad. At the same time, it may seem like living in another country is more affordable than living in your own country due to exchange rates or lower living costs, but this is only sometimes true! 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: Therefore, make sure that you plan financially; set up a budget before leaving home. Know exactly how much money you need monthly for expenses such as rent/housing, transportation, books/study materials, etc. It will help you avoid the challenges of studying abroad so that there aren't any surprises once you arrive! Also, if possible, look into scholarships or grants offered by universities/organisations specifically for international students—this could help alleviate some of the financial challenges of studying abroad! There are many free postgraduate scholarships you can explore. 

5. Learning styles & academic expectations

International students' transition to a new academic environment can be one of the challenges faced by international students. The academic expectations in your host country may differ significantly from what you're used to back home, similar to other challenges of studying abroad. This could throw you off track if you're not careful. 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: To avoid mishaps, it's crucial to take proactive measures early on to understand these differences fully. Research your school or university's academic expectations beforehand to prepare yourself better. If you're still unclear, don't hesitate to ask your professors for clarification. These steps allow you to set yourself up for success and avoid any potential academic hurdles.

6. There are limited social connections

Another one of the biggest challenges faced by international students is making authentic connections with fellow students from different backgrounds can challenge international students. Making friends in college can help beat the loneliness of staying abroad. 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: Joining clubs related to your field of study is a great start but doesn't guarantee close personal relationships and coping with the challenges of studying abroad. However, you can create online groups using apps like iMessage or WhatsApp to bring domestic and international student bodies closer. Connecting in a virtual space can help bridge the gap and foster genuine friendships faster and also help you tackle problems faced by international students easily. 

7. Adapting to a new lifestyle is a task

There are many challenges of studying abroad, and one of the challenges faced by international students is adapting to a new way of life. From cultural norms such as dress codes to building your professional experience, each destination has its unique array of variables to navigate. Studying in a foreign country can be an exciting and transformative experience, but it comes with the challenges of studying abroad. In addition, it's important to remember your adventure's ultimate goal, personal growth and development. So, no matter what hurdles may arise, stay focused on achieving your goals and maximise your time abroad without giving up on the challenges of studying abroad!

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: To help ease this transition period, make sure that when travelling around town/countryside, you familiarise yourself with local customs. Additionally, try exploring different areas within your host city/countryside—visit museums/cultural sites whenever possible! This will give insight into what life may have been like during previous eras and provide ideas on how current citizens live day-to-day lives, which may differ significantly from yours back home! 

8. Finding a good accommodation to live in

Finding the right place is a big challenge faced by students. On-campus student accommodations tend to fill up quite fast, so it is key to shortlist the right off-campus housing options. An issue that is not often talked about enough, but this truly is one of the most arduous problems of studying abroad. Often, various malicious sources masquerade as real property owners and scam the already worried international students. Unfortunately, such scams are still prevalent.

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: Amber provides you with only the creme de la creme, and you can shortlist reliable and verified properties from the comfort of your home. Amber essentially makes this problem a non-issue for all students! You only have to pick, pay, and book your home away from home, and the rest will be taken care of by us.

9. FOMO is real!

It is truly one of the most underrated problems of staying abroad - the fear of missing out! It is easy to take the time you spend with your friends and family for granted. It is only when you are thousands of miles away from home that you realise that you fear missing out on their lives. While still hurtful, challenges faced by international students such as these can be mitigated and helped with the right mindset. 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad:

1. Ensure keeping up tabs on your friends and family - drop a text or ring them up often, especially on days that are special to all of you.

2. Make video calls fun - while it is nice just to sit and chat, plan fun little activities to feel like you never really left. Teleparty lets you watch streaming services together, and online video games are great options.

3. Learn to overcome it - there will be times when you just can’t be there and miss out on important parts of the lives of your close ones. Understand that that is okay and is bound to happen. Forming an identity for yourself in a foreign country and learning to be okay with it can go a long way.

10. Comfort food is a big miss

Homemade food is a major casualty when pursuing studies abroad. One can argue this is one of the biggest problems of studying abroad. Food is a cultural element that one grows up with and is part of an individual’s identity, so a difference in spices, tastes and even the surroundings can play a huge role in a person's morale. 

How to cope with this challenge of studying abroad: These problems of studying abroad can be dealt with, however. One can opt for student accommodations which feature cooking essentials, and you can easily buy your preferred ingredients from nearby stores. Make sure to budget your ingredients properly. The only downside is, if you can’t cook, well, learn how to! Additionally, many cities have restaurants that serve different cuisines, and you might just get lucky. If you wish to budget your expense better, here are some ways you can save your money on grocery shopping.

If broadening your professional experience while travelling overseas sounds appealing, Readygrad, our trusted partner, provides the key to acquiring the necessary skills to achieve your career objectives and secure employment opportunities.

Living abroad, especially as a student, can seem quite difficult and will take some getting used to. However, we hope that these tips and tricks on how to overcome these challenges have helped you and led to a smooth transition to studying abroad. At the end of the day, digging at the roots of a problem will be far more beneficial than hacking at the leaves. Therefore, finding long-term solutions to the problems you are facing will reap better results. Finding the right student accommodation abroad with amber can help mediate whatever issues that may pop up. For more information, you can check out our webstory on 5 tips for adjusting to life abroad.