The moment I committed to studying abroad at Queen Mary University in London, my mind flooded with an endless stream of worries: Where would I live? Would I make friends? Would I even be able to keep up with a completely different way of learning?
I spent hours trying to predict every detail of my experience abroad, analyzing pros and cons, building contingency plans for every possible scenario, and in doing so, leaving myself feeling unsure, apprehensive, and honestly, scared.
Three months later, I landed in London, settled into my new normal, and to my surprise, it took only a few weeks for that long list of “what ifs” and anxieties to fade away completely. The external factors I thought would define my experience came much more naturally than I expected. That’s when I realized I had been preparing for the wrong things all along. It wasn’t the external factors, but the internal ones, my mindset, my habits, and my personal characteristics, that ultimately defined the quality of my experience.
So, if I could advise someone preparing to study abroad on what to focus on before departing, I would recommend these three essential, transformative areas:
1. Self-Care Practices
Building a solid self-care routine before you leave is non-negotiable. Life abroad brings stretches of isolation, demanding coursework, and a pace that rarely slows down, meaning it’s easy to lose your footing. Having already built practices like yoga, journaling, reading, and exercise into my daily life gave me reliable anchors to hold onto when things felt overwhelming.
2. Sociability
Exercise your “sociability muscles.” That may sound cheesy, but it’s a real game-changer. The connections you make abroad are entirely in your control. Be intentional: start conversations, make friends in class, join clubs, and attend events even when it feels uncomfortable. It takes bravery and effort, but those friendships often become the most defining part of your experience.
3. Open-Mindedness and Cultural Awareness
I underestimated London’s cultural diversity. The city’s mix of cultures runs incredibly deep, from neighborhood to neighborhood, cuisine to clothing, religion to perspective. To truly get to know London, it’s important to navigate its cultural landscape with curiosity, awareness, and genuine appreciation. With this mindset, you’ll find yourself connecting with people from all corners of the world. So, be intentional about stepping outside your comfort zone, stay curious, and wholeheartedly embrace the differences that make a city remarkable.
Recognizing all of these complexities taught me that thriving abroad isn’t just about exploring a new city; it’s about employing healthy habits in a new environment. When preparing to study abroad, focus on building resilient personal foundations, the kind that allow you to adapt and grow in any circumstance.
Being abroad has little to do with how the experience impacts you by chance and everything to do with how you choose to extract value from it. The more you cultivate strong habits, a growth mindset, and genuine curiosity before you arrive, the more deeply you’ll enjoy and grow from everything that comes next.
Kyla Rounsoville
Spring 2026
GW Exchange - Queen Mary, University of London
School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Systems Engineering Major