No matter how excited you are by the wonderful prospect of studying abroad, it can be stressful too. Here are a few tips to get you through the first couple of weeks (which are the toughest).

Don't be too hard on yourself
Firstly, don't be surprised if you feel confused, lonely and stressed; you've just taken a big step in your life.  Don't be too hard on yourself either it's perfectly natural to feel this way in a new environment; just be aware that these feelings will pass with time.  

There is a condition called Culture Shock, which you may suffer from for a while; it is simply a reaction to your new environment. Of course things are different in your new home, that's why you came away in the first place isn't it? What seems alien and strange on day one will seem a whole lot different in a couple of weeks. 

Proven tips to help you
Here are some tips for overcoming stress, loneliness and homesickness.
 

• Bring a few small things from home that mean something to you, and keep them in your room. So what if it's your childhood teddy bear? We won't tell anyone!
•  Make friends as quickly as you can, even if you are naturally reserved. Ask someone in your accommodation to join you on a sightseeing trip, or join a group of people from your class for coffee. Very few people will snub you even if they don't take you up on the offer right away.
• Don't pass up any social opportunities; they are chances to meet people.
• Join clubs or societies that interest you (but don't do what many students do and join every group in sight - you won't have the time or money to do everything).
• You are probably thinking other students are feeling ultra-confident and it is only you that is feeling bad. Don't believe it they probably think the same about you.
• It's hard to get to know the locals, particularly if there is a language barrier, but if you have the chance to do so you should. Places of worship if you're religious, sporting groups, museums, or local cafes and bars can all be good places to meet people (but if you are going for the bar option maybe sure it is not a dive and is in a safe area).
• Why not start a blog? The people you've left behind will love to read it and, as you'll be accentuating the positive things about your new life, it will help you too.
• If you get low try and see your international student counsellor or advisor if you've nobody else to talk to.

Keeping in touch with home
Skype gives you free calls and social networking sites will allow you to post photos of your new location. 

Interestingly though, some people have reported to us that reading what their friends are doing via Facebook actually makes them feel they are missing out on the action back home! On the whole though, technology gives you communications benefits that previous generations of overseas students could only dream of. In the past, a hurried conversation on an expensive payphone was the only option for most students.