Starting a new semester always feels a little like opening the door to a room you have never been in before. But starting a new semester in a foreign country with a different education system is an even more interesting rollercoaster ride.
As a senior in college, I already understand the rhythm of university life. I know the academic expectations, the community, and my way around my home campus. However, studying abroad as an exchange student in your senior year brings you right back to the feeling of your first few weeks of freshman year. Everything feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable. You are starting from scratch, and that can be daunting. Here is how I set myself up for success during my study abroad semester.
- Attend accommodation events
Coming from a university that values a tight-knit community, I looked for ways to build my own community at University College London (UCL). On my first night in my accommodation, I noticed posters advertising hall events. Since I did not know anyone in London, I figured that attending these events would help me meet new people and find my place. I am an introvert, so these situations can feel nerve-racking. Still, I pushed myself to go. I attended hall events every night for about two weeks, and I met my closest friends through them. The free food and snacks were a nice bonus. Attend IES Abroad and UCL orientation events
In my first week, I attended the mandatory IES Abroad Orientation at the IES London site. We met Miranda, the IES Direct Enrolment Manager, who showed us around the office. There is a cozy library on the basement floor where you can nap or study. During orientation, I learned about the British university system, health and safety tips, and aspects of British culture. Most importantly, I met my UCL cohort. We even went to a pub together and did a walking tour of London, which helped me feel more grounded in the city.
Before the first day of classes, I also had a week-long orientation organized by UCL and the Department of Politics and International Relations. Most of the events were geared toward first-year students, but I still attended because I wanted to understand the academic expectations and the structure of the British system. There were also social events where I met other students and collected more freebies than I expected.
- Introduce yourself to professors and TAs
This can feel intimidating, especially when you are new to the environment. Still, it is worth doing. The British university system is more independent than what I was used to at home, so taking the initiative early helped me feel less anonymous. I made a point of going up after the first lecture or sending a short email to introduce myself as an exchange student. I kept it simple: a quick hello, where I am from, and how excited I was to be in the class. That small gesture made it much easier to ask questions later and to feel connected to the course. - Do the readings and homework
This one seems obvious, but it becomes even more important when you are studying abroad. UCL gives students a lot of academic freedom, which means fewer reminders and fewer graded assignments. Keeping up with the readings each week helped me stay grounded when everything else in my life felt unpredictable. It also made seminars more engaging because I understood what was going on in class. Staying on top of the work early gave me more time to explore London without feeling overwhelmed. - Take advantage of student discounts
London is an expensive city, but students get discounts on transportation, museums, theatre tickets, groceries, and so much more! Depending on how long you will be at UCL, you can apply for a Student Oyster Card through UCL and get discounts on the tube and bus. You can also connect your Student Oyster Card with a 16-25 Railcard for discounts on some London Overground and National Rail Services. Make sure to download UNiDAYS and Student Beans to maximize your student discount in the UK! - Document your experience
Whether it is journaling, taking photos, or writing blog posts like this one, documenting your time abroad helps you process the experience and remember the little details later on. It also becomes a nice way to reflect on how much you have grown. Before I left for London, I created a study abroad Instagram account where I shared my travels with my closest friends from back home. Every so often, I look back on this account and think about all the traveling I did over the past three months!
