Your First Year Abroad Will Be Nothing Like You Expect

Thinking about studying abroad and wondering what international student life is really like? ?? In this episode, we talk honestly about the real study abroad experience — from the excitement of moving to a new country to dealing with homesickness, bureaucracy, budgeting, loneliness, and personal growth. We sit down with Luisa, an Italian student who moved to the Netherlands, to share what it’s actually like to study abroad as an international student. From the first semester struggles to making friends, managing academics, and building a life in a new country, this episode is full of practical study abroad tips for students preparing to move overseas. If you're asking yourself questions like “What is it really like to study abroad?”, “How do international students make friends?”, “How do you deal with homesickness while studying abroad?”, or “How do I prepare for student life in another country?” — this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ? What studying abroad is really like as an international student ? The difference between Erasmus and doing a full degree abroad ? How Studyportals helps students find degrees, scholarships, and support ? How to apply for the €10,000 Studyportals Scholarship ? How to deal with homesickness, loneliness, and culture shock abroad ? How to manage paperwork, deadlines, and student bureaucracy ? Study tips for international students and how to understand your learning style ? How to make friends abroad and build a support system ? Budgeting advice and student finance lessons ?️ Why learning the local language early makes studying abroad easier Explore Studyportals: Bachelorsportal: https://bachelorsport.al/XuOazflVyVA-bp Mastersportal: https://mastersport.al/XuOazflVyVA-mp PhDportal: https://phdport.al/XuOazflVyVA Sophia AI Assistant: https://www.sophia.study Follow Studyportals on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studyportals TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studyportals.com ? Win a €10,000 scholarship to support your studies abroad Apply now through the Studyportals Scholarship: https://www.mastersportal.com/scholarship Timestamps: 00:00 What is it really like to study abroad? 00:16 What is the Studyportals Podcast? 00:32 What is Studyportals and how can it help international students? 00:50 How does the Sophia AI Advisor help students choose a degree abroad? 01:10 How can you apply for the €10,000 Studyportals Scholarship? 01:23 Erasmus vs full degree abroad: what’s the difference? 01:39 What is it like to study in the Netherlands as an international student? 02:02 First semester abroad: exciting, overwhelming, and emotionally intense 02:39 How do you deal with bureaucracy and adulting when studying abroad? 03:05 How can international students stay on top of paperwork and deadlines? 03:32 Missing student finance: a lesson every international student should hear 04:04 Does studying abroad get easier with time? 04:41 When do you finally start feeling proud of yourself abroad? 05:20 Should you give studying abroad one full semester before quitting? 05:41 How do you survive your first winter abroad and seasonal depression? 06:21 How can you recreate home routines and traditions while studying abroad? 06:41 How do you build a life in your new city instead of wanting to escape? 07:04 How do you learn to take care of yourself when living abroad? 07:24 How do international students make friends abroad? 07:59 How does studying abroad change your identity and mindset? 08:39 What happens when the excitement of studying abroad wears off? 09:35 How do you get comfortable being alone while living abroad? 09:55 How should international students study based on their learning style? 10:27 Why are study groups so helpful for students abroad? 11:03 How can Google Calendar help students manage time better? 11:59 How do you budget your money as an international student? 12:20 Why should you learn the local language early when moving abroad? If you're preparing to move abroad for university, already living abroad as a student, or trying to adapt to international student life, this episode will help you feel more prepared, understood, and supported. If you liked this episode, please like and leave a comment ?