The College Series:
Study Abroad: Navigating Challenges & Finding Balance
by Taylor Ureta, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo undergraduate intern, supervised by Dr. Hannah Roberts
Hi Thrivers! This week’s blog is going to be a little different from my usual articles. Instead of focusing broadly on mental health topics, I want to take you on a more personal journey—my study abroad experience. In this two-part series, I’ll reflect on the challenges I faced, the lessons I learned, and how travel can be both overwhelming and transformative. Whether you’re thinking about studying abroad, love to travel, or just want to see how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to personal growth, I hope you’ll find something valuable in my story.
Where It All Began
On September 3rd 2024, I took a 14-hour plane ride to Barcelona, Spain, where I studied abroad until the end of December. For those three and a half months, I traveled to 6 other countries and 13 new cities across Europe. Studying abroad was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. Coming from a small town in California, I suddenly found myself living in a major European city, traveling every weekend, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures. It was a dream come true, but it also came with its fair share of challenges.
For me, the challenges started way before I even landed in Barcelona. The two weeks leading up to leaving were incredibly emotional, as I said goodbye to my friends and family and packed my life away into two suitcases. Already prone to anxiety, the overwhelming process of preparing to move abroad brought with it waves of doubt and fear. Arriving in Barcelona felt surreal and I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. It wasn’t until I opened my apartment door in Barcelona that I got my first sense of relief. The first step was complete—I had made it.
Stability Away From Home
One of my main concerns before studying abroad was losing my sense of stability—the routines and support systems that help me manage my anxiety. At home, I knew exactly where to turn when I needed comfort. But traveling, especially long-term, turned all of that upside down. Suddenly, my safety nets were gone, my routines disrupted, and even my favorite comfort foods were no longer within reach.
At first, this felt incredibly overwhelming. The initial excitement of being in a new country kept me busy, but once that wore off, I felt lost. From the unfamiliar language and culture to the chaotic streets of the city, everything felt disorienting. Even though I knew how fortunate I was to be studying abroad, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disconnection and the anxiety it brought. The unpredictability of each day—never knowing where I was, what would happen next, or how I’d handle it—left me exhausted and overstimulated.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that these feelings weren’t unique to me. Many people who travel abroad, particularly those managing mental health conditions, face similar challenges. The unfamiliar environment can increase feelings of anxiety and loneliness, and being far from home can heighten emotional vulnerability. For individuals with mental health challenges, issues like having difficulty interacting with others, wayfinding, and concerns about transportation reliability can add to the stress of traveling (Mackett, 2021). On top of that, the lack of routines and constant support can all contribute to feeling like you’ve lost your grounding.
Overcoming the Challenges
Over time, I realized that while I couldn’t control everything, I could take small steps to feel more grounded. I started by noticing those little moments when I would feel off balance and reflect on the coping strategies that worked for me back home. Instead of pushing those feelings down, I focused on identifying what I needed in those moments; whether that meant going on a walk outside or taking a long, hot shower. It wasn’t an overnight change, but eventually, I began to feel more stable and less anxious in my new life abroad.
If you’re facing a similar situation, here are some lessons and strategies that helped me maintain my mental well-being while studying and traveling abroad:
- Create Some Daily Anchors: At first, not having my usual routines threw me off, but with time, I started building new ones that fit into my life abroad. These anchors didn’t have to be complicated, just things that added more consistency and stability to my life. My main anchor abroad was calling my mom on my way home from classes. I took the same walk home, and even with the time difference, my mom and I were able to work out a way to call almost everyday.
- Take a Deep Breath & Find Space: It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of new experiences, but constantly being “on” can be exhausting. So, I learned to pay attention to when I was getting overstimulated and give myself a chance to step away. In those moments sometimes the best thing you can do is pause, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that it’s okay to slow down.
- Listen to Your Body: If I could go back and tell myself one thing before studying abroad, it would be this. From being chronically sick to feeling completely drained, my body was constantly giving me signals yet I never listened. Pushing through exhaustion or ignoring stress only made things harder in the long run. I realized that taking care of myself had to come first—even if that sometimes meant skipping a night out to prioritize sleep, so I didn’t feel like I was running on empty the next day.
- Embrace the Unpredictability: As uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing as it was, I had to accept that not everything would go as planned and remind myself that I’d be okay. Flights got delayed and Google Maps led me in circles, but regardless of the chaos, I learned that I could handle whatever came my way. Being flexible and letting go of expectations allowed me to live more in the moment, and some of my favorite memories came from just going with the flow.
Studying abroad pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, but in doing so, it also helped me grow in ways I never expected. The challenges were real, but so were the moments of laughter, connection, and discovery.
Stay tuned for Part Two, where I’ll explore how stepping outside your comfort zone—whether through travel or other challenges—can lead to personal growth and resilience.
Have a story about your own study abroad or travel experiences or need support from a California therapist during your study abroad experience? Schedule a session with one of our therapists! You can schedule online here!
We hope you enjoyed this blog post! Have more topics you’d like us to blog about? Contact us and we’ll be sure to include your topic in a future post.
Resources
Mackett, R. (2021). Mental health and travel behaviour. Journal of Transport & Health, 22, 101143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101143
Forbes-Mewett, H. & Sawyer, A.M., (2016). International Students and Mental Health. Journal of International Students. 6. 661-677. 10.32674/jis.v6i3.348.