Going abroad

As an international student you would expect to be more ready than anyone else to go abroad, but that is not the case. Moving to another place is always a shot in the dark, you may love it or hate it.

1. Be the chameleon
There is always an adjustment no matter where you go that will push you out of your comfort zone. You must be able to deal with it because it will happen whether you like it or not. Be the chameleon you need to be to blend in as much as you can. There is nothing that can compare to the unique experience that it is to be surround with people that know the dos and the don'ts of the area. It is creating a different character within the person you are and explore a side that you never imagined existed.

2. Behave like a todler
When you look at things for the first time try them with no regrets. Try the food, the drinks, the clothes and everything else that is touristy because it is the only way you'll find what you like. Once those experiences are off the bucket list you'll become a townie. Soon enough you'll see others appreciating everything like you once did and you'll smile telling them the dos and don'ts.

3. There are no mistakes just learning experiences
Every experience is unique and I don't believe in moments you regret, but experiences in which you learn what you don't like. If you tried something in the first place there was a certain curiosity and that is alright. These are the moments you should do those mistakes because no one really knows you and there is no preconceived idea. You are starting from scratch and the only person that will remember that "mistake" in 30 years is you. If you want to go on that scary roller coaster just make sure you make it eventful.

4. Enjoy what you have now
Time is not going back and if you have two months, you've got two months. If you have 2 years, you have 2 years, make sure you enjoy it. Smile when you wake up in a bed across the world with a different time zone from your parents. Appreciate the little things you have in each place because like people, they are all unique. Celebrate each day specially if it is a holiday. Do something now and don't think about the consequences in three months. There will be the time that you look back and just laugh at the experiences you had.

5. Remember and keep in touch
It is always important to remember where we're from but also places and people that have touched our hearts after that. Somehow there is a point in our lives that we went somewhere, we met someone and it really doesn't matter how long but the mark they left us. People say souvenirs are cheesy, some people buy a fridge magnet I buy a postcard in every place I go. I have been there for the most diverse reasons and every place has given me something even if it was just a safe land.

6. Never stop doing it
There will always be a place to go, someone to meet. Make sure you do it again to see the good and the bad. It is alright to repeat the destination if it is what you want to do. In the end of the day is about you being aware your room is an environment you can control, but the world outside brings much more thrill no matter what kind of person you are.

Going abroad is frightful, exciting, challenging, demanding and life changing. It pushes you, it makes you grow and be a better person and it tears you to your core. It makes you want to go home, never leave the new place or just increases your curiosity about your next destination. Overall, it makes you more human with all its imperfections, mistakes and humbleness to the person besides you.