Studying abroad is an incredibly unique experience. With it, comes many unforgettable opportunities that can be truly life-changing. Months spent in another country away from your loved ones, cultural norms, and what you’ve known your entire life inevitably leads you to grow as a person and test your limits. Honing in on your independence while you’re abroad can lead you to become a more capable person and can equip you with skills that you can use for the rest of your life. This exciting chapter of your life has countless plus sides to it. However, one thing to be aware of about studying abroad is that it can also be quite trying on your mental health. 

There can seemingly be so many different things to do all at once, and so much to juggle. Looking back on my experience, there have definitely been times when my mental health has waxed and waned. If you feel the same way during your own experience, you’re not alone. It’s only natural to experience this. Here are some tips to help preserve your mental health while studying abroad. 

Prepare yourself mentally beforehand

When about to undergo such an intense lifestyle change, it’s critical to mentally prepare yourself. One thing that made the move to London a bit smoother for me was that I did some research on the country you’ll be studying in and what to expect. It helped me a lot to talk to other students I know that did the same program as me or just people that have studied abroad in London. Gaining a basic understanding through conversations with those that have been through it already can help you anticipate what to expect and can help you mentally prepare for your study abroad experience.

Prioritise staying connected

A lot of what can add to poor mental health abroad is when you don’t feel as connected to your loved ones across the world. These people have been there for you your entire life, and it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that they’re so far away. One thing that has helped me is staying connected with family and friends back home. Maintaining these relationships has helped me feel less isolated and has provided a support system while I’m in London.

Engage in outside activities

I had the pleasure of living across the street from Hyde Park in South Kensington. A walk outside in the fresh air was sometimes all I needed for a mental health reset. It allowed me to connect with and take in the beauty of the city. It doesn’t necessarily have to even be a walk through a park, though. Exploring the streets of a new area of the city you study abroad in or taking up a recreational sport with locals can help you detach from the sometimes highly-stressful reality of being a study abroad student. The benefits of engaging with nature are endless and can ease the pressure of life abroad.

Studying abroad has undoubtedly been some of the best months of my life. I’ve had the privilege to be able to experience things I never thought possible. Despite the many–and I mean many–highlights of my time abroad, there have been parts of my experience that have been difficult for me mentally. Hopefully, these tips for those that are looking to study abroad are helpful. Although there will be both ups and downs, just remember that everything passes. And, make sure to take it all in while you can.

By: Maddy Adler

Self-care is a term that has gained popularity in recent years and for good reason. Taking care of oneself is essential for maintaining good mental health. Self-care involves engaging in activities and practices that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s very easy to get caught up in the demands of work, school, and life in general. Because of this, it’s essential to carve out time for things that add to your happiness.

However, despite the good that self-care can do for a person, there are many misconceptions  that can get in the way of following through with it. One is the hesitance to prioritise your own needs over others. The desire to please others and always show up for them despite needing time for yourself can hinder practicing self-care. It’s critical to understand that implementing self-care will improve many aspects of your life and your well-being as a whole. The guilt that many feel about self-care is incredibly unfortunate because it’s not a selfish act in any capacity.

Reduces stress and anxiety

In a study examining the effects of self-care practice on stress levels of medical students, it was scientifically proven that the more self-care a student engaged in, the higher the quality of life was experienced. Stress and anxiety are common mental health problems that can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. Self-care practices such as exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. When stress and anxiety are reduced, it becomes easier to manage daily life and cope with challenging situations.

Improves self-esteem

Self-care involves doing things that make you feel good about yourself. Whether it’s taking a relaxing night in or practicing yoga, engaging in self-care practices can aid in boosting self-esteem. When you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.

Enhances relationships

Many times when my head is not in the right place, I find my relationships are the first to suffer. Taking care of oneself is not only beneficial for personal well-being but can also improve relationships. When you are happy and healthy, you are more likely to have positive interactions with others. Additionally, engaging in self-care practices such as spending time with loved ones or practicing gratitude can improve relationships and increase feelings of social support. 

Boosts energy levels

Self-care practices such as exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can improve energy levels. When you have more energy, you are better equipped to handle the demands of daily life. Additionally, increased energy levels can improve mood and overall well-being.

Promotes self-awareness

Self-care practices such as journaling or therapy can promote self-awareness. When you take the time to reflect on your thoughts and emotions, you gain a better understanding of yourself. Journaling as a self-care activity actively helps to decrease stress, cope with depression, and manage anxiety. Self-awareness is essential for personal growth and can help you identify areas of your life that may need attention.

Prevents burnout

When you are constantly working or caring for others without taking time for yourself, it can lead to burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that can have serious consequences on one’s well-being. Engaging in self-care practices can prevent burnout and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Overall, self-care is essential for mental health. From my experience being abroad as a student and intern, I’ve come to realise how necessary practicing self-care is. Between my travels and classes, nothing has grounded me more than self-care and taking time to do things that improve my mindset. Engaging in activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being has reduced my stress and anxiety, improved my self-esteem, boosted my energy levels, promoted self-awareness, enhanced my relationships, and prevented burnout. Prioritising your own self-care is not selfish, but rather necessary for maintaining good mental health. It’s important to remember that self-care looks different for everyone and it’s essential to find what works best for you.

By: Maddy Adler

When I was young, my family and I would have family movie nights semi-frequently. One night, my dad decided we should watch Back to the Future. My siblings and I excitedly made popcorn from a makeshift machine, soaked it in butter and fought over who got to sit where on the couch. Once we settled down and watched the movie, it quickly became one of my favourite films. 

Flash forward ten years, to the present day. I found myself walking through tube stations while being bombarded with advertisements for the West End theatre production of Back to the Future. I instantly knew I needed to see it. I dragged my new friends to come with me. 

When my friends and I got to the theatre, I made us wait in line for very overpriced popcorn, mainly for nostalgia. We quickly located our seats and had a fantastic view of the stage. The staff was friendly and helpful. The theatre was lovely. There were a bunch of Back to the Future decorations and puns. 

The show’s basic premise is as follows: Marty McFly, played by Ben Joyce, finds himself in a quirky friendship with Doc Brown, played by Roger Bart. Doc invented the time machine in his automobile. He was showing it off to Marty, when Doc quickly needed to be transported to the hospital. Marty revved up the engine to 88 miles per hour, the exact speed which triggered the time machine mechanism. Before he knew it, Marty found himself back in 1955 and spent the show trying his hardest not to cause too much trouble and find his way back to 1985. 

The casting of Doc Brown was undoubtedly one of the show’s highlights. Roger Bart gave an outstanding performance. He had the entire audience laughing hysterically. You could feel the emotion and passion with every word he acted out. Ben Joyce and Robert Bart had amazing on-stage chemistry. The banter between their characters was hilarious. 

Also, the special effects were among the best I have ever seen. When Marty was transported back in time, the car appeared to float above the crowd and flip in circles. It looked like magic. The entire theatre was flashing lights, which made the audience feel they were travelling through time. 

My only complaint would be that the theatre was excessively loud. Due to this, the audience’s ability to fully understand the pronunciation of some songs was hindered. Nonetheless, this did not diminish our capacity to enjoy the outstanding vocals or to understand the plot. Yet, some of the best lines in the programme come from song lyrics, and I wish I could have understood them better at the moment.  

With all that said, the foundation of good art, in my opinion, appeals to people of all ages. Someone as young as five years old can enjoy it just as much as someone as old as fifty or ninety years old. This production was timeless and appropriate for all audiences. 

My friends were ultimately grateful I dragged them out, as they thoroughly enjoyed it as well. One of my friends, Marissa, is a self-proclaimed “theatre geek”. She goes to a different show on the West End every weekend and says this was her favourite show she has seen in London so far.

By: Jenna Goldberg

Photograph: Sean Ebsworth Barnes

According to the New Yorker, Imposter syndrome can best be defined as the nagging sense of self-doubt and fraudulence despite one’s accomplishments. Even if you accomplish something amazing, you are likely to dismiss it as luck or question what you did to deserve it. Imposter syndrome is especially prevalent in minority groups or anyone who is experiencing a “first”. 

I had my first bout of imposter syndrome in high school. I had just qualified for Nike Cross Nationals and Footlocker Nationals, the two most prestigious cross country invitationals in America. I was toeing the line next to all these other big names in the running world, and I couldn’t help but feel so ordinary, like there was a mix up which resulted with me on this stage. There was an immense power of rewiring my brain through simple yet powerful affirmations, such as, “I belong,” or “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t earn it.” I went on to earn all-american titles. 

It is not uncommon to feel unworthy of an academic accomplishment or a job title you just earned. My theory behind why this occurs is that as we take the next step up the ladder, we suddenly step into unknown territory. We are inevitably doing something new, and our brains are apprehensive of the uncertainty that comes with. 

I asked my parents for their take and experiences with imposter syndrome. My mother recently started a new job as a therapist and she reports she experiences imposter syndrome “all the time!” She says powerful affirmations help her as well. (The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!)

Even big-time celebrities report experiencing imposter syndrome. Tom Hanks, an actor who has won an Academy Award, said in an interview with NPR, “No matter what we’ve done, there comes a point where you think, ‘How did I get here? When are they going to discover that I am, in fact, a fraud and take everything away from me?’” 

The first step to overcoming imposter syndrome is to recognize and challenge your own anxieties. It would probably be difficult and not very successful to fool everyone around you of your skills, especially when dealing with hard numbers, data, and other success measurement tactics. 

My mother and I both find a great help in saying positive affirmations to rewire our thinking patterns. You may also try making a list of all your achievements along with the positive traits that you possess that contributed to them. 

Creating an alter ego is another of my favourite techniques. The most fearless, astute, and successful version of oneself is this alter ego. Your alter ego has whatever you desire. Ask yourself, then do, what they would do. Practice stepping into their body and mind. 

If anything, remember that you are not alone, that you are capable of doing everything you set your mind to.

As an African American woman, I was worried about what to do with my hair while abroad in London. Before I left, I decided to get knotless braids in my hair. I could keep the braids in my hair for three months at most. But, my study abroad experience was about four months long. Therefore, I didn’t have a concrete plan for what to do with my hair after the braids. I could have done my hair naturally, but I had heat damage, which means some of my hair would not curl when wet. So, my hair didn’t look right when done at home. This problem had to get fixed professionally. 

A person’s hair is a part of their identity. As a child, I did not like my naturally curly hair. It made me feel out of place, especially around my white friends. It wasn’t until recently that I became comfortable with my natural hair. I could tell how it boosted my confidence. I felt more like my authentic self. 

It can be a struggle for African Americans to do their hair while traveling. Our hair requires a lot of products and space to work. In addition, the process can be rather messy. This would be especially troubling for me because, in my apartment, I share my room with one roommate and a bathroom with three people. Luckily, my friend studied abroad in London the semester before me, and she found a place that did natural hair. She said they did great. So I decided to give it a try. 

For approximately three months of my abroad experience, I wore my braids. The day before my appointment, I took them out myself. About 300 braids later, I finished. It took me all day. The next day I went to Curl Talk in Brick Lane. The minute I walked into the shop, I knew I made the right choice. They started my hair right on time. First, my stylist did a short consultation. Then she washed and conditioned my hair. While washing my hair, she told me what products she was using. She also said she would show me all the products she used in my hair after the appointment. Then, she gave me a hydration mist treatment which took about 10 minutes. Afterward, the stylist rinsed and further conditioned my hair. Then she styled my hair. For this part of the process, she reclined the seat I was sitting in and did my hair while I was horizontal. This part of the process took approximately an hour. But it was amazing. She gave me a mirror to watch the process and explained what she was doing. I felt like I was in a hair training session. At the end of the session, she even allowed me to add a trim to my appointment. Once I paid, I was shown all the products used in my hair and was allowed to take pictures. She even took pictures of my hair with the ring light. Overall my hair looked great, and the experience was more than satisfactory. I booked another appointment for my last week here. 

Before coming to London, I didn’t know of a shop like Curl Talk in my area back home. Therefore, I was not sure how hard it would be to find one in London. “A study by Habia revealed that there are over 35,000 beauty salons in the UK, but somehow only 302 are Afro-Caribbean hair specialist registered salons,” (Mamona, 2021). I am thankful I found this salon in London to do my hair. They were even able to help me find a similar salon near my hometown.