5 things I've really learnt from studying abroad in France and Italy

I’m a French, Spanish and Italian student, and it’s coming to the end of my year abroad very, very soon. I’ve less than one month left in Italy, and a month free before I head to Spain on a month-long intensive course, then I’m back in the UK, where I’ll do an internship before being thrust back into the university world again. It seems surreal that this time last year, I had just found out where I was going to be studying, fearing the unknown that lay before me. Would I be able to remember any of the language learnt when I got there? What if something happened and I couldn’t come back home? Endless worries floated about my head, each and every day, but when it came to it, my year abroad probably couldn’t have gone better. There have been ups and downs, for sure, and lots of blood, sweat, tears, and more tears, but this year has been one of the most unforgettable, and probably the best, years of my life. Here’s what I really learnt this year.

1) If friendships and relationships are meant to be, they’ll manage the distance

Maintaining friendships and relationships are taxing enough as it is, at home. It’s 1000 % harder when you’re separated by countries. Of course there’s Skype, Whatsapp, FaceTime and Facebook Call, but there’s nothing like just being able to see the ones you love face to face, not via the Internet (especially when there’s always a dodgy reception on Skype so neither of you can even hear each other most times). You soon see, on your year abroad, who’s there for you through thick and thin, and who really cares for you, and it’s that first step towards understanding that sometimes things don’t last forever, despite how painful that realisation is.

(Me and my best friends back living the life on NYE).

2) Goodbyes never get easier

I’m an emotional person, always have and always will be. But you’d think, after the 14 flights and coaches I’ve been on in the past 9 months, I’d cope a lot better with goodbyes than I do. The truth is, saying goodbye to the people you love, or get attached to whilst away, is one of the worst experiences in the world (and for some reason, goodbyes at airports are always hell) because deep down, there is a bit of fear that you won’t see them again, or something about them will change in that time, and it hurts to know that you’re going to miss that. Don’t feel embarrassed if you end up crying (I do, every time). Just keep in mind that you will see these people soon, and 12 months (or less, for most of us) isn’t that long!

(Meeting up with my family over Christmas in Germany).

3) Year abroad is the best time to travel...

Yes, there’s lectures, seminars, exams, constant admin to be doing, and you have to be planning where you live when you get back, what your final year modules are, and what your dissertation plan is, but regardless of all of this, there’s a lot of time to travel on your year abroad. What’s best is that once you’re living in a country, you’re not worrying about accommodation costs, so it’s so easy to travel around to places. What’s also great is that since a lot of students travel to two countries across the year, you can go and stay with your friends in a different country without having to worry about hotel/hostel costs – and you have a free guide too. It’s a win-win! Weekend trips are a must: if you can go anywhere, whether it’s near or far, take advantage, because once you’re back, it’s not so easy to fit in a holiday (especially not when you’re trying to write a dissertation) and when you graduate, you’ll probably be heading into the world of work. Make sure to visit as many places as you can; travel around countries like Spain, Italy and France aren’t too expensive too, and you can get to countries like Germany, Slovenia and Croatia with ease!

(When your best friend comes to visit, you can visit even more places).

4)... but sadly the worst time for money

Somewhat linked to the point above. Even if you manage to travel on the cheap, you’re still spending money, and a year abroad (despite some countries having cheaper living costs) drinks your money. The flights, rent, bills, admin costs and general style of living that you become accustomed to (eating out, daily coffee trips and constant visits to new towns, cities and countries) mean that whatever student loan, grant, savings account, or overdraft you have will soon dwindle down to nothing. If you can get a job on your year abroad, such as babysitting or tutoring, do it! If this isn’t the case, just try and work over the summer, or get a job once you’re back at uni. You’ll need it!

5) If you don’t become fluent, that’s okay

Okay, there are those who go for it. They live with locals. They eat, speak, hang out and even date locals. When you’re out there, though, it’s not so easy to throw yourself into that world, and it is okay to rely on your own people as a safety blanket. Just try as hard as you can to improve your written, spoken, reading and listening skills, and try and make a friend/buddy to improve your communication skills. As long as you try, you should improve. Just don’t expect to be on a native speakers’ level by the end of the stay.

(Just live it up to the max or you'll regret it when you're back).