Improved financial management skills
Studying abroad has helped me to develop financial management skills that I never had before. Being away from home has helped to learn how to be smart about how I spend my money. Since I now pay my bills, I can monitor my spending. Unlike before, when my parents always bailed me out when I needed money, that is not the case anymore. Now I have to make a budget and stick to it. I spend on what’s essential and more crazy shopping sprees like before.
You grow into an independent person
Before moving abroad, I depended on my family for everything, but now that I am here, I have to think for myself. I go shopping, clean, and cook for myself, and that’s something I had never done before moving overseas.
Hardworking
Surviving abroad without a mini job or a part-time job is hard unless your family is wealthy and can support you by paying your bills. I had to get a mini job to be able to pay my bills. I work extra hard, knowing that my well-being depends on how hard I work.
New cultures and languages
Studying abroad has opened me up to learning a new language. I have interacted with people from all around the world and knew their way of life. It wasn’t like this before moving to study abroad. I wasn’t open to learning about new cultures. I always stuck to what I knew. Studying abroad had made me realize the need to co-exist with other people, and understanding their language or way of life is a part of the process.
Created meaningful relationships
Studying abroad has improved my social skills. I was a timid person before I moved abroad. Now I can easily make friends and even maintain those friendships. I attend social events where I interact with other like-minded students, which has further developed my social skills.
Responsible
Moving to study abroad has made me a more responsible person. It was like this before moving to study overseas. I used to attend parties with my friends all weekend, but now I have learned to set aside time to do meaningful situations. I can easily say no to things and people that make me feel uncomfortable. I am more aware that any decisions that I make, whether good or bad, will affect my stay here directly or indirectly.
Improved communication skills
I can express myself confidently without fear of being judged or ridiculed. That wasn’t the case before I moved to study abroad. I never gave in to the idea of public speaking because I was so afraid of crowds. Then I moved to the U.S, where public speaking is the order of the day with no excuses. At first, it was hard to get used to the idea of presenting my assignments in front of my mates, but I grew into that role with time. Now it’s an easy thing for me to do.
