Hello everyone! Today, on High Schooler Tells High Schools is (Re)becca Fernandes from Hong Kong, who is currently studying in Germany, and she will share with us some of her experiences and advice studying abroad. Hopefully this will give you a better insight into this VERY big move!
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Hey there! I'm Becca, and I'm from Hong Kong and India and I've been studying in Germany for the past 3 years. If I could go back in time and talk to the 2021 Becca, I'd tell her to learn the basic things like how to cook, how to manage your finances, and how to make new friends. I can't really teach you much about how to be responsible, because that's something we learn from our own experiences (it’s a canon event). However, here are a few advices I could offer-
First and foremost, I'd tell myself to really prioritize learning the practical, day-to-day life skills that I had always taken for granted back home where I was basically spoon-fed with everything. Things like cooking basic meals, managing a personal budget, and building a solid social network were all areas I really struggled with at the start. I was so comfortable in my old routine that I didn't realize how much I'd have to adapt to being completely self-sufficient and independent in a new country. I didn't face any major barriers in convincing my parents to let me study abroad - they were actually quite supportive of the idea and were the ones who suggested I study in Germany. But I do wish I had been more proactive about learning these life skills earlier on, rather than having to figure them out through a lot of trial and error once I arrived in Germany.
When it comes to making friends in Germany, it’s like a feast or famine situation, you either make the best friends or you don’t make friends at all. For the first year and a half, most of my closest friends were living in different cities, so I really struggled to build a social circle of my own in my own area. But then I took a big step that would have terrified young Becca and decided to move into a shared apartment, and that's when everything changed. Now I have this amazing group of over 40 friends that I'm close with. No, I did not live with 40 people (dear Lord, I’d die), I did live with a few and then met their friends and I was then a part of the group.
So, my first advice would be to not be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved, even if it's intimidating at first. Join Facebook groups for international students in your city, sign up for extracurricular activities, and definitely consider living with roommates. It can be tough and I’m also an introvert with social anxiety, so I do understand a lot of you, but it ends up being so rewarding in the long run.
Second advice, learn how to cook. I can't remember the countless times I over seasoned, under seasoned, overcooked, undercooked, and burned my food or made something that lasted for 3 days. I was too lazy to learn before leaving, so I just ignored it and then dealt with the consequences.
Third advice, learn to be financially responsible. Being in a country where no one can tell you what you can and cannot buy is fun, but what's not fun is not having any money left. Once you move, you're going to spend a lot of your money on furniture, utensils, household items, rent, deposit, insurance, and so on. That's definitely going to take a hit on your bank account. In Germany, we have this system called a blocked account, where international students get around 800 euros from the government (after paying them 11,000 euros upfront). From that 800, you'll probably only end up with 300 or 400. Use that money wisely – download discount apps, check for student discounts, and split it between spending and saving for emergencies.
Oh and be responsible! Since you're alone, you're on your own. Be mindful of what you spend, where you go, where you're keeping your things (passport, important documents, etc.), and make sure to double-check whether you have your card in your wallet after you shop or whether you kept your items safely. Always turn back and see whether you left anything behind. I personally write it down in my notes, because this one time, I forgot my bag on the train, and I have PTSD ever since.
Apart from this, if you're moving to a country where English isn't the main language, make an effort to learn the local language. It'll make everything so much easier, even in the most international of cities, knowing the language could be so helpful and beneficial.
I hope these tips and insights from my own experience can help you as you embark on your study abroad journey.
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