Some students have had their next steps mapped out for years and even have a job lined up starting the day after graduation. But let’s face it — that’s not exactly the norm among college students!

So if you are unsure of what to do next, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you have a lot of options now that you are about to be the proud owner of a BA or BS degree. Take a look at some of the most common steps for recent grads.

Get a Job After Graduation

If you are eager to start earning money once you graduate from college, you need to assess the job market in your prospective field. When you have a BA or BS degree, you should be in the running for a variety of jobs. Try to take a look at the market a few months before you graduate to find out which positions you are qualified for.

If you simply need to start earning income and do not have a particular position in mind, you may be able to get a postgraduate job quickly. It might not be your dream job, but it’s important to keep busy until you figure out what you’re looking for — and it’s preferable not to have long gaps between jobs on your resume.

Of course, if you have a specific career in mind that calls for the BA or BS degree you possess, you should start applying for positions as soon as possible. Make sure you have a high quality resume and fulfill any other requirements in addition to your degree (i.e. basic knowledge of things like Photoshop and Excel) if you want the best shot.

Go Back to School for Professional Skills

During your job search, you may realize you need more than a BA or BS degree to break into the career of your choice. In some cases, even when additional schooling is not a requirement, it might give you an edge in the job market. If so, find out which graduate degree is best for the field you are interested in.

For example, you may want to study nursing, occupational therapy or mechanical engineering.  Many schools offer a variety of professional programs that teach advanced skills in specific fields. You can typically finish such programs in less than two years, after which you can start your job search again with more confidence.

Return to School to Study Academics

If there are no professional programs specific to your field, but you still don’t think you are done with your education, you can return to college to study an academic subject of your choice. Ideally, the courses you choose will relate to your future career.

For example, if you plan to be a math teacher and have already attained a BA or BS degree, you are generally required to attain your teacher’s certification, and then a master’s degree within five years of graduating. If you wish to be a writer or editor, taking advanced English courses can make you a stronger candidate when it’s time to look for a job.

If you still have not made up your mind about what to do after graduation, don’t feel pressured to make any major decisions just yet. You can always feel out your options as you go, and you may even decide to do it all, working a job while going back to school. In the meantime, don’t forget to enjoy the moment as you graduate with a BA or BS degree!

By Nicole DeMarco, Class of 2015 at College of Charleston

If you’re planning to study abroad, you’ll likely need a cell phone (or some other reliable way to communicate with loved ones back home).

So, once you’ve bought your plane tickets, booked your accommodation and had your academic documents translated, you’ll need to research your cell phone options.

It’s rarely as simple as packing your existing phone into your backpack. Save yourself a lot of frustration (and expense) by thoroughly researching your options prior to departure.

There are many factors that you need to consider:

• The length of your study abroad program
• Whether your existing phone can operate in your destination country (see below)
• Whether you plan on using your phone for day-to-day use, or only in an emergency
• Your budget

Understanding International Cell Phone Standards: GSM vs CDMA (and Others)

Cell phone standards vary by country. Outside of North America, much of the world uses a common cell phone standard called Global Service for Mobile (GSM).

The US did not standardize – consequently, competing wireless standards exist on various wireless domestic US carriers. US cell phones are most likely to be the CDMA type, but there are several other competing standards, including AMPS, TDMA or iDEN.

A GSM phone generally won’t work in North America, and a CDMA phone generally won’t work outside of North America.

Network Frequencies Abroad

In much of the world outside of North America, cell phone networks operate on a common frequency – a cell phone that works in Manchester, England will work equally well in Melbourne, Australia.

However, cell phone networks in North America operate on a range of different frequencies – this is something you need to make arrangements for.

The best solution for you depends on both your home country and your destination.

Option 1: Taking Your Current Phone Abroad

Some carriers now provide multi-band world phones that can be widely used internationally – however, “roaming” usage can be extremely expensive.

This may be a viable solution for short stints abroad – but is not advisable for study abroad programs that are longer than a few weeks. If you choose this option, you should consider disabling data usage, as this can save you a lot of money.

If you plan on relying mainly on phone cards or Skype, you may consider taking your existing phone as an “emergency only” option.

Option 2: Buying a Local Phone

For many people studying abroad, the best option will be to purchase a cell phone that conforms to your destination country’s standards (whether GSM or CDMA), and to buy a local prepaid plan.

Some tips:

• Unlike many cell phones in North America, GSM world cell phones don’t come tied to the network service provider.
• Those studying abroad in GSM countries can activate their mobile phones by inserting SIM cards – these thumbnail-sized devices can be interchanged between different handsets. You can save contact numbers to your SIM card, rather than to your phone.
• Coordinate with other students in your study program – providers often offer special rates for calls between phones that both use their networks.
• If you purchase a prepaid SIM card for your destination country, you’ll have a local phone number.

For many students, a prepaid cell phone will be the best option for their time abroad: they can avoid worrying about unforeseen bills or additional charges.

Option 3: Skype, Facebook Chat, Gchat, Phone Cards

Skype – a video conferencing service – has changed the way many people keep in touch internationally. If Wi-Fi is ubiquitous in your destination country, this may be a great way to save money on your international calls.

Many students abroad choose to use exclusively use Skype for calling internationally, and purchase a cheap local prepaid phone for in-country calls.

Added bonus: You can actually talk face-to-face with your family and friends (or your cat!).

Chat Tools

Instant messaging tools such as Facebook chat and Gchat can be a hassle-free way to communicate with your friends and family back home. These can be perfect for casual updates about what’s going on back home. Of course, you’ll likely have internet access, so you can use all of your favorite social networks exactly as you would in your home country.

International calling cards are another option for students abroad: You’ll often get a much better per-minute rate using a phone card to dial home, compared to using either a domestic prepaid phone, or an international ‘roaming’ phone.

Using a cell phone while studying abroad provides a welcome security blanket – it’s nice to know that you can always contact your friends and family back home – just don’t forget to account for the time difference!

Powell Library at UCLA

College language programs are becoming more extensive all over the US. While most liberal arts schools will offer at least a few popular languages, some colleges invest heavily in expanding their language program, reasoning that language skills will prove invaluable to their graduates.

ULS has compiled 10 of the best college language programs out there. Take a look and see if you agree.

1. Middlebury College

If you google “college language program,” Middlebury College is bound to pop up. This small but highly revered liberal arts college in Vermont offers a fantastic language program. They take language learning seriously — students who enroll in their summer foreign language program must pledge to only speak in its foreign language.

2. Indiana University — Bloomington

The Bloomington campus of Indiana University has another excellent language program. This university offers 46 different languages for students to choose from, and hosts multiple foreign language events and fairs throughout the school year.

3. University of California — Los Angeles

While 46 languages sounds like a lot, UCLA has this almost doubled — they offer 80 languages in total, 40 modern and 40 ancient. However, not all of these languages are offered every semester.

4. University of Wisconsin — Madison

The University of Wisconsin is another school which undeniably has a great language program. This university emphasizes the study abroad portion of language learning: U of W students can choose from 100 destinations within 6 continents when deciding where to study abroad.

5. Syracuse University

Syracuse University is also known for having an excellent study abroad program to supplement their language program. Syracuse University has centers in Beijing, Florence, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Santiago and Strasbourg, and 40 more World Partner programs to choose from. Regardless of their major, all students studying abroad (except in London) are required to take at least one foreign language class.

6. Stanford University

Stanford has a particularly interesting language department which specializes in less common languages. If you’re looking to study something outside of your regular FIGS (French, Italian, German, Spanish), you may want to look at Stanford’s course catalog. Diverse foreign languages include Basque, Hawaiian and Swahili.

7. Michigan State University

Speaking of Swahili, Michigan State is known for having a particularly rigorous program for students who wish to study this African language. Michigan State offers an intensive summer immersion in Tanzania, where Swahili is widely spoken.

8. Cornell University

Cornell also offers demanding language programs, specifically in Asian languages. Their FALCON program is widely regarded as being highly challenging. Students study Chinese or Japanese 9 hours per day, 5 days per week. Most agree that the coursework is brutal, but effective.

9. University of Oxford

The last two universities on this list are found outside the US. University of Oxford is of course a stellar learning institution, and unsurprisingly it has a first-rate language program. In 2008, Oxford was ranked top in the UK for its German and French programs.

10. University of Peking

If you are looking to study Chinese, the ultimate place to go would be the University of Peking. Even Cornell’s FALCON program cannot match living in China for the entirety of your college career.

The University of Peking is acclaimed for having a fantastic Chinese study abroad program for international students. If you decide to attend an international school, make sure you get a proper transcript translation.

Of course, there are plenty of other schools with amazing language programs. Let us know in the comments below if you think another school belongs on this list of great college language programs!

Know the Rules That Come with Your F-1 Visa

There are a few rules you must follow if you want to get a job and maintain your F-1 visa.

The most important guideline to remember is that you cannot get an off-campus job during your first year in college. You may be able to get one after your freshman year, but you will need to contact USCIS first to get approval.

An F-1 visa allows you to get an on-campus job during your time in college, but you need to make sure you remain a full-time student. In addition, you cannot work more than 20 hours per week during the school year. You can work more – even full time – in the summer and during breaks.

F-1 Visa On-Campus Job Opportunities

Job options for international students vary depending on the size of the campus and the number of amenities.  But in general, most schools have cafeterias, coffeehouses and athletic centers, and they all need employees. You may want to get some help translating or writing your resume so you can easily apply to all these places.

Bookstores, libraries and student newspapers are additional options when you are trying to find an on-campus job.

In addition, you can find out if your professors or department heads need help with research or even simply staying organized. Of course, this may not be ideal if you are looking for a summer job.

Though most colleges offer summer classes, they are not usually as popular as fall and spring classes. Because of this, having an on-campus job likely means that your hours will be cut during these off-seasons.

If you need more job security during the summer, you should consider applying for off-campus jobs.

F-1 Visa Off-Campus Job Options

Once you complete your first year of college, you can contact USCIS to ask for permission to get an off-campus job.

Such jobs usually pay more than on-campus opportunities, but your options are generally limited to positions that relate to your field of study.

One way to get an off-campus job with an F-1 student visa is to show USCIS that you are experiencing economic hardship that is based on circumstances beyond your control. This may include unexpected medical bills, a steep tuition increase, or a sudden change in the value of currency from your country.

You will need to provide evidence of your financial difficulties to USCIS. You will also need to prove that on-campus jobs either do not pay enough or are not available to you. If these conditions are satisfied, F-1 visa holders may be able to work off-campus jobs while in school.

CPT vs OPT

Another example of the type of employment you can get with an F-1 student visa is curricular practical training (CPT).

CPT jobs must be related to your major, and the experience must be part of your program of study. You need to prove this to USCIS before you are eligible. A major benefit is that it not only pays, but also offers experience in your field of study.

Comparable to CPT is optional practical training (OPT). OPT follows similar guidelines to CPT, but the job does not need to be part of your study program.

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact USCIS and/or an advisor who helps international students at your school. Otherwise, your summer job could jeopardize your F-1 visa.

Barbara visits Cal Poly!

Today’s post is by campus correspondent Barbara Montano. Find out how you can become a ULS campus correspondent, too!

“Campus Conundrums”

I am amazed at the variety of experiences I’ve had touring colleges. The first thing I learned was that visiting a college in person is a totally different ball game than browsing a college’s website.

For example, I thought UC Santa Cruz was right on the ocean! It turns out that Santa Cruz is called the “City Upon the Hill” by its neighbors because it sits, literally, atop a hill overlooking the gorgeous bay and is surrounded on all sides by national parks.

Similarly, I had no idea that Stanford University’s name had a whole history attached to it. I joined a tourist tour by mistake and spent 2 hours learning the sad story of how Leland Stanford Jr. died and his parents built Stanford University in his honor.

And I had been told that UC Santa Barbara would be the most beautiful college campus ever, but, while the beach was incredible, the buildings were remnants from an army base: bleak, gray and boring.

A wooden bridge at UC Santa Cruz.

The second thing I learned is that touring a college is the best way to get to know it! When I visited Santa Cruz the tour wound all the way through campus on an intensely air conditioned bus. At various points we would hop off and walk through the redwoods to dorms, classrooms or one of many libraries.

I noticed right off the bat that although the tour guide was nice, she wasn’t very open. I asked her about her major as we walked to some dorms and she told me about it quickly. Then, when I asked her to elaborate on it and shared my own experiences in school, she hardly said anything. There was an odd point when she was speaking about the dining halls and telling us that a special vegetarian meal is served every Friday, and yet, in the four years she had been there, she hadn’t ever had it.

The tour guide was also a commuter student, and I got the feeling that she wasn’t really present in her school community. The whole campus seemed to be like her — not really present. Everything was quiet, the campus center was basically empty, and no one stopped to talk with each other on sidewalks or in bus stops.

Down at Cal Poly I had a totally different experience. My tour guide there was energetic, bright, and active within her school community. She gladly and extensively answered any and all questions. In contrast to the highly structured Santa Cruz tour, this Cal Poly “Rep,” as she was called, told us that we would “play the tour by ear” and that there would be no specific stop time.

She did an awesome job of giving us a full picture of life at Cal Poly, showing us its huge printing press, new rock climbing wall and student workshop. Everywhere we went she waved, shouted, and called “Hi!” to people she knew. Even people she didn’t know, like an architecture student working on a project outside, she called out to and asked to share something they liked about Cal Poly, and they happily did. At one point a Cal Poly student even joined our tour, just for fun.

The campus could not have been more different than Santa Cruz! Although the facilities, record, or location might not have been as spectacular, the student body was so open and so involved! When I stopped for lunch at the deli the students who worked there were falling over themselves to talk to me, ask me where I was from, and tell me about Cal Poly.

This had a really profound impact on the way I see college. Now I know that it’s not just about the numbers.

The school with the “best” professors might be full of kids that don’t live on campus, but commute in every day. The school with the most beautiful location might be the place where students don’t even know anyone in their class! And, the most highly selective schools might be places where clubs don’t exist and students don’t care about getting involved.

Colleges are more than their numbers. Get out there and meet them! The actual people of the college tell a better story about what you might get if you go there.

Barbara Montano is a junior at St. Mary’s College High School. She runs cross country and track and field, leads her school’s volunteer organization, and is also a member of Art Club and the National Honor Society. Barbara plans to apply to NYU, UC Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara, among others. Her opinions do not reflect the views of ULS (but we do think you should tour potential colleges whenever possible!).

When you’re sending your transcript to a foreign institution, you want to be sure that you and your grades are being represented correctly.

There are a few things you can do to get the most accurate transcript translation possible.

Here are our top four tips:

1. Proper transcript translations cost money — only translate what you need.

Individual colleges and universities have differing requirements, and you should make sure that you are only translating the documents which you need to submit.

Carefully read over the instructions given by the school so that you do not waste time and money translating course records and exam results when just a transcript translation would have sufficed.

Of course, if you are unsure, it’s better to have accidentally translated too much instead of too little.

2. Supply the most readable documents possible.

Our translators are skilled at deciphering difficult handwriting and of course know all the usual academic vernacular, but they are still only human. They can only read what is printed on the page.

An extremely faint stamp or scribbles in place of signatures are going to be nearly impossible to distinguish. If your document is smudged or poorly printed, help the translator out by requesting a cleaner copy from your school.

However, do not write on or white out any part of your transcript! This can render a document suspect and void a translation.

3. Did you take an unusual class? Show us a course catalog.

We use professionals for transcript translation, and they know their stuff. Our translators are familiar with commonplace educational phrases and normal transcript abbreviations — the usual variations on how “History 101” is represented are not going to be an issue.

But if you attend the only school in South America that offers Intermediate Juggling as a physical education alternative, and it has a strange abbreviation on your transcript, that’s going to be a rather tricky translation.

Providing reference materials in situations such as these will make the translator’s job much easier, and will help us provide you with the most accurate translation possible.

Remember, reference materials must be objective third-party sources. Good examples include published dictionaries, glossaries, or your school’s course catalog.

4. Impartial translations are key — use a professional company.

Your bilingual friend is not qualified to translate your academic records. You do not want to cause problems for yourself by submitting a translation with mistakes that a professional would have easily avoided.

Colleges see transcript translations all the time. It will be obvious to them if an amateur translates the document.

You should do everything you can to make sure that your application is successful. The best way to be sure that your transcript translation is acceptable is to obtain a certified translation from a professional company.

Psychology major jobs are extremely diverse — and you don’t need to have a doctorate to be successful in this field.

If you are a psychology major, it’s good to know that you have several possible career paths aside from pursuing your Ph.D. or Psy.D. and becoming a psychologist.

As a psychology major, your skills should include one-on-one communication, understanding of human behavior, research and critical thinking. Here are some careers that can put these skills to good use.

Psychology Major Jobs Are Adaptable

Even with just your bachelor’s degree, you still have plenty of career fields to choose from.

Many entry-level jobs accept psychology majors, and some of them are probably careers that you have never considered.

Psychology major jobs with a bachelor’s degree can include:

• Social Work
• Sales
• Human Resources
• Parole or Probation Officer
• Childcare
• Marketing
• Management and Administration

While some of these jobs may be surprising, each one of them utilizes skills that psychology majors learn in college. It may not seem obvious at first, but even two jobs as different as childcare and parole officer have things in common — both involve having excellent interpersonal skills.

This is the great thing about choosing a college major as open-ended as psychology. After you have developed your skills at college, you can pick a career that is truly fitting to your personality.

This means you are prepared for anything from helping solve problems in the workplace to developing a new marketing strategy that will appeal to your customers.

Psychology Major Jobs: With a Master’s Degree

Earning your master’s degree will give you more psychology job opportunities.

As you further your education in psychology, you are able to work at jobs that are more traditionally associated with the field.

With a master’s degree, the job market for psychology majors expands to include teaching at a university, academic advising and career counseling.

A master’s degree in psychology can also give you the opportunity to work for the government.

Psychology major jobs dealing with the government include:

• Developmental specialist
• Employment counselor
• Psychology program manager
• Social service manager
• Vocational rehabilitation specialist

Psychology Major Jobs in Health Services

If you are not sure whether you would like to continue on to your doctorate and become a psychologist, there are also many entry-level jobs in health services. A master’s degree in psychology will let you experiment with these jobs and decide if you should further your degree with a doctorate.

Health services jobs with a master’s degree in psychology include:

• Psychiatric technician
• Family services worker
• Behavioral counselor
• Rehabilitation specialist
• Child protection worker

You can always continue your education and get a doctorate in psychology if you want to become a psychologist. But if you decide to stop at a bachelor’s or master’s degree, there are still plenty of psychology major jobs to choose from.

If you are looking at international graduate schools as a US student, you have the enviable opportunity to gain international experience while continuing your studies. But you will have to do some homework first.

You will need to assess which international graduate school is best for you, as well as evaluating other important factors, including costs and visa requirements.

Choose Where To Study

There are high-quality international graduate schools located across the globe, and the process of choosing one can be overwhelming. Begin your search by listing five countries you would be interested in studying in for at least a year.

Next, consider the practical issues. Think about whether there will be a language barrier, or if political or economic instability might place you in jeopardy. Watch the news to keep abreast of world events that may impact your prospective destination.

Friends and colleagues who have studied abroad are a logical resource when researching an international graduate school.

Once you narrow down your potential destination, you need to select some graduate schools to apply to. Consult a list of the international graduate schools available to US students who wish to study abroad.

Then look for the schools that feature graduate programs in your field of study. List the benefits of each school, and from that list, choose the one that best meets your needs.

If feasible, try to visit the international graduate schools on your shortlist. If you cannot afford to travel to several international schools, you should at least visit the school at the top of your list. If this remains impractical, you can still learn a significant amount from a virtual tour of the college.

Get Funding

Now that you know which international graduate school you plan to apply to, you need to be sure it will be financially feasible for you to attend. Find out the cost of tuition, and then consider the sources of funding available to you.

Your first step should be to contact the financial aid office of the graduate school you’re considering. You should find out what the packages are, and get an idea of how much you can receive for tuition. Try to get as many grants as possible since you do not have to pay these back, unlike loans.

You can also apply for scholarships and grants through private companies. Make sure you understand all of the available college financial aid opportunities. Research scholarships created expressly for students who seek to travel internationally for graduate school.

When contacting the school of your choice, ask about fellowships and research assistantships. Both of these positions can waive some or all of your tuition, and may even include a stipend for living expenses.

You will be expected to provide research, teach, or meet other requirements if you want the money, but this way you can pay for graduate school without getting a full time job or taking out loans.

Prepare to Travel

When calculating your costs, include plane tickets and lodging. Also, research the healthcare system of your destination country – and the cost of insurance. Be aware of currency exchange rates (and fees). You need to realistically assess how the cost of living in your destination differs from the cost of living in the US.

If you think you will need a job while studying, find out what documents are required, such as a work visa. Study visas will often place strict limitations on employment.

Thoroughly research these issues when you’re considering options for your studies overseas. Studying at an international graduate school can be immensely rewarding – and it can open up considerable opportunities for career advancement.

Prior to your job search, reflect upon the kind of work you find rewarding – and the career path you aspire to once you graduate. Also, make sure that you understand the employment restrictions of your student visa.

On-Campus Jobs

Depending on your visa, you may be able to take on a job while you study in the US. For many international students, the most convenient jobs are on campus.

You’re able to quickly travel from classes to work, and if you live on or near campus, you won’t need to worry about transportation.

Note that most student visas allow international students to work at their school, though there are some restrictions you should research before you apply anywhere.

If you’ve confirmed you’re eligible to work at your school, or if you have a work-study stipend, you will find a range of on-campus jobs that appeal to many international students in the US.

Think about all the amenities at your college, including the library, coffee kiosk and student bookstore. These all need employees, and many of the jobs require minimal prior work experience  – perfect for students.

Other on-campus jobs that may be right for you include positions that involve your field of study. For example, the student newspaper may offer jobs for international students who are interested in writing and editing.

You can also ask your professors if they need a research assistant or an employee to help with any administrative duties.

Part-Time, Off-Campus Jobs

If you cannot find an on-campus job, you may still be able to make some extra income with part-time work. International students are uniquely qualified for a range of jobs.

For example, your linguistic abilities are a valuable asset: If there’s a market for tutors in your native language, teaching one-on-one may be a great way to bring in some extra income.

You can also tutor students in other subjects you excel at. You can often find  classified ads asking for tutors in the campus newspaper or websites that serve your area – or you can take the initiative and promote your services on bulletin boards around campus.

You may even find that tutoring strengthens your own knowledge of the subject, which is an added benefit of this common job for international students.

Another job option is babysitting for families near your school. You can even expand your services to include pet sitting, house sitting and dog walking.

Such jobs are often ideal for international students since they do not tend to require proof of citizenship or the eligibility to legally work in this country.

Volunteer Work

If your decision to look for a job is motivated by a desire to gain experience, rather than by making money, volunteer work may be perfect for you.

Organizations that rely on volunteer support would welcome the help of international students eager to make a difference.

For example, if you’re interested in politics, working on a campaign may be a great way to get some knowledge about this field.

Check local newspapers for opportunities to volunteer your time. With every position you take on, you get to add volunteer experience to your resume.

If you thoroughly research your job options, it should be possible to find a position that offers money, valuable work experience, or both. It’s time to start exploring the many rewarding job opportunities available to international college students.

Wherever in the world you are thinking about studying, you will benefit from thoroughly researching high school exchange programs before you commit.

After all, you’re considering leaving your home for up to a year – there is a lot to think about first!

Here are some of the basic questions to ask before you sign up for a high school exchange program. Once you clear up these questions, you can focus on the details as you prepare for your time abroad.

Finding High School Exchange Programs

If you’re interested in participating in a high school exchange program, you should ask your guidance counselor if your school has a established program in place.

Some schools have very active programs with significant waiting lists, while others do not have enough interested students to have a dedicated program. Even if your high school lacks its own exchange program, there is likely at least one that serves your city.

Programs vary quite a bit. With some, your family will have to host an exchange student from another country while you are gone, while others offer this option but do not require it.

Look into the details of the high school exchange program available to you before you make a commitment.

High School Exchange: Academic Requirements

Your high school may have a particular policy when it comes to transferring credits after you study abroad. If you do not find this out first, you could end up having to retake any courses you complete in another country.

Therefore, it makes sense to ask your school counselor or the person in charge of the exchange program which credits will transfer.

If it turns out your credits will not transfer and you still want to travel to another country for your high school exchange program, you just need to ensure you make up the credits before you graduate.

This may require summer school or even staying in high school another year. Consider how you want to proceed with your classes before you sign up for the program.

Once you have a plan in place, you may need to get your academic documents translated to another language. For example, you may need proof of vaccinations and school transcripts before you enroll in high school abroad. Find out before this requirement before you leave for the exchange program.

High School Exchange and Culture Shock

Even if you choose a country in which most people speak your language, it can be difficult to grow accustomed to a new culture.

Of course, this issue may be even more noticeable when you are studying in another language you do not speak fluently.

One way to deal with culture shock is to immerse yourself in the customs and ask your host family any questions you may have. The more you understand about the culture, the more comfortable you may feel performing the country’s traditions.

By the time you return to your home country, you may end up having to readjust after studying abroad since it’s common for students to automatically continue some of the customs they learned in another nation.

It’s normal to feel homesick while abroad. If you find yourself yearning for your own home, you should find a few things that remind you of it. For example, surrounding yourself with family photos may give you a sense of feeling home again, however brief. Asking your host family to cook your favorite dish can also help, though you might need to provide the recipe!

You are also advised to talk to students who have studied abroad before since they will likely have some tips you won’t get from your guidance counselor. Ensure that you’ve done adequate research before you sign up for a high school exchange program.