A Series of Mouse Moments
Studying Abroad: A time of glitzy night outs in foreign cities, weekend adventures with new friends, tours of ancient places, aesthetic coffee shop study sessions and a new sense of “explorer” syndrome… or at least that’s the frequently depicted, hyper glamourized version.
Often, studying abroad is romanticized. It’s advertised as each person’s own coming-of-age film, and if you don’t feel like your life’s a movie every second then you must be doing something wrong, right? The truth is, while there will absolutely be moments where you feel like Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia or Lady Bird, a good portion of your time is going to be spent doing… nothing — and that’s okay. When you’re abroad, there's an abundance of things to be done and places to be seen, it can be completely overwhelming. All these new opportunities can be so thought consuming that even when you're simply resting in bed for the first time in weeks or are eating alone, you can feel like you're wasting your precious four months. People will constantly tell you “find your (insert city here)” and if you’ve not quite found it yet, or are finding it in a way you didn’t expect, it can be really disappointing or jarring. No one prepares you for the FOMO that will rip through your body when you have to say no to going out. Nothing readies you from feeling inadequate because you're not doing something all the time. There’s not really true transparency with just how exhausting the abroad experience is.
As per the trend on TikTok, more often than not, being abroad can feel like one long extended mouse moment, where you eat your little snack in your little apartment alone thousands of miles away from what had been normalcy. The symptoms of the abroad experience often include isolation, homesickness, loneliness and anxiety; sometimes it might just feel too hard to ignore that little voice in your head saying “I need a second.”
If you’re experiencing these less attractive “side effects” of studying abroad, maybe it's time for a quick bout of self reflection, a self-care day and an acknowledgment to yourself that these feelings are so normal. Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences of your life but also a taxing one; it simultaneously encompasses some of your best life moments and some of the worst.
Here’s a guide to dealing with days abroad when nothing is happening and how self reflection is key when dealing with those solo moments.
Photo from Pinterest
Do Something For Your MIND
If you just can’t get out of your own head, maybe it's time to distract your racing thoughts with something else. Our advice is to head to your local bookstore. For many in London, it may just be your local Waterstones; grab that book you’ve been eyeing but never had “time” to buy. Go find somewhere you might not have been before, maybe a new park bench or a new coffee shop, and just escape for a little while. Let yourself enjoy your time alone instead of dreading it. If reading isn’t for you, consider taking yourself out to a movie. With something else occupying your brain, it's harder for that nasty old friend anxiety to swoop in and ruin your mood.
Some places in London great for reading a book include:
Gordon Square Garden, Bloomsbury
The National Theatre
Grays Inn Gardens, Chancery Lane
Geffrye Museum Gardens, Hackney
Photo from Pinterest
Do Something for Your BODY
Often when we’re stressed or feeling down, we neglect to take care of our body, which unfortunately can lead to yet another thing to feel stressed about — health. A great way to self reflect while also being mindful is to go on a nice walk. Pop in your AirPods, turn on a great album (like Taylor Swift’s Midnights) and just take a second to let yourself breathe. Walking is also a great way to see the city, so maybe getting outside is just what you need to calm feelings of FOMO.
Some great places in London to go on a walk:
South Bank Stroll: Tate Modern to Jubilee Gardens
Little Venice to Camden
A Central London Stroll: Trafalgar Square to Tavistock Square Gardens
Do Something for YOURSELF
Sometimes all we need is a little reminder that we’re doing great, and what better way to do that than by treating ourselves. If it's the homesickness that’s plaguing you, why not grab a meal at your favorite American chain like Five Guys or Shake Shack, then watch a good old American comedy at home. If you just want to get out of your apartment, we recommend going to the theater. TodayTix is a great app to find cheap prices and buy tickets last minute so you can see that show you’ve been waiting for. Especially in London, the West End is so much more affordable than Broadway and the quality is top notch. Retail therapy is also a great option, head to your local shopping center or a vintage market to do some window shopping and calm down any nerves that may be leading you astray. If exercise is a hobby of yours, go for a run or head to your local park and do some yoga. Whatever it is that you like to do, you can find it in your new home.
Always remember your Elon family is one call away, and keep in mind that by being abroad you’re already accomplishing so much. There’s no need to feel inadequate if instead of taking a tour of an ancient castle you decide you really just need a nap. You’re doing the damn thing; keep it up!
Stay tuned for more travel related content, and if you’re abroad right now, let us know @theedgemag!