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Imagine scrolling through social media and seeing posts from your friends who are studying abroad in another city. It would be easy to feel a little jealous of their adventures and new experiences. However, as exciting as studying abroad may seem, the venture can come with just as many challenges as opportunities.
For younger people in particular, being away from their parents and living in a strange and foreign environment can lead to culture shock, intense homesickness and even increased stress. Depending on where they are, students may also face language barriers, which can lead to social isolation.
Young Post spoke to a therapist and a psychiatry professor to learn more about the common issues that can come with studying abroad and the tools to overcome these situations.
Common challenges
Thousands of Hong Kong students choose to study abroad each year. Popular study abroad destinations include mainland China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Lolita Schmalenberg is a therapist in Hong Kong who works with teens and young adults. She outlined problems “similar to the challenges any student faces when they leave home for a university experience,” as well as more unique issues. The therapist highlighted loneliness, students missing family and friends back home, and anxiety.
She explained that young people could encounter “anxiety as they experience new life challenges” and become worried about their capabilities. For example, students might wonder, “Will I be able to handle the workload? Will I meet new friends?”
Schmalenberg said that loneliness and anxiety were common among university students, especially those leaving home for the very first time. But students studying abroad had a more unique problem, tackling cultural differences.
They might wonder about fitting in and behaving like other teenagers in the new environment, as well as worrying about being noticed for not being like others and being “seen as uncool”, she said.
Mental health
Lee Sing is a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a specialist in psychiatry with extensive experience in youth mental health. Lee said studying abroad could potentially exacerbate a young person’s underlying or established health conditions.
“Mental health disorders are so common nowadays and there are also many stressors that accompany that period of time in life for young people,” Lee said. “Parents must make sure their kids get proper assessment and early treatment before they pursue an overseas education.”
He also touched on “boarding school syndrome”. This term describes a trauma that develops when children study abroad and are separated from the adult figures in their lives and the place they had established as home. It is made worse by the high-stress environment. The condition can lead to low self-esteem and relationship problems.
Making a decision
Schmalenberg urged students to thoroughly discuss the option with family, especially if they are the source of financial support.
She asked students to consider what they wanted to study and what else the school or university offered, such as student societies or clubs, social events and other opportunities. They should also consider where in the world they found exciting and appealing. These queries could help students narrow down and decide on a country, city and school to apply to.
More than anything, Schmalenberg said, students should specifically ask themselves: “Does it feel like you’re ready to move away from the city that you grew up in and try something new?”
For students interested in studying abroad but who did not want to commit to somewhere far away, she suggested applying to places in their “neighbourhood”. This means a place with a similar culture and with less travel time to go home. For Hong Kong students, that could include mainland China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore and Malaysia.
While there are many prestigious universities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Schmalenberg said students did not have to only focus on these institutions and countries.
Dealing with stress and loneliness
Schmalenberg recommended looking for information about on-campus clubs and activities at a student centre or posted around living accommodations.
If classes are overwhelming you, Schmalenberg advised attending professors’ office hours and speaking to teaching assistants. For larger anxieties, especially about fitting in or feeling disconnected, your campus should have a clinic with professionals trained in mental health support who can advise you.
She also emphasised the importance of staying connected to friends and family back home, who could offer support: “Don’t hide your low mood, anxious or overwhelmed feelings from the people who love you.”
