Studying abroad is quite popular in India. However, studying away from your country has its own challenges. While grappling with academic and peer pressure, financial demands, study commitments, employment obligations, and other factors, adjusting to a new life - abroad, can be difficult. You can occasionally feel overburdened, anxious, and homesick because living in a new country is often different from that of in India. However, feeling depressed is very common as everyone experiences it occasionally. Your body or brain may respond to anything that requires concentration by causing stress. This response could be mental, physical, or emotional. Almost everyone experiences some level of stress from factors like the demands of their jobs, their families, their health, their academics, etc.

Although not all stress is unhealthy, you must be mindful of your triggers. With the aid of a few straightforward stress management techniques, you can manage your stress more healthily.

Common causes of stress for Indian students abroad

S.No

Cause

Description

   1

Cultural shock

Since there is a significant difference in culture and how things operate inside and outside of India, the majority of Indian students experience "culture shock" when they study abroad. It can be a little hard to handle things on your own given how they are mentally trained.

   2

Homesickness

You might feel homesick if you move to a place that is utterly foreign to your family and friends. This is fairly common; many students go through this phase and frequently experience feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety, or even demotivation. Additionally, you can have the yearning to return home or perhaps the uneasy feeling that you don't belong there.

   3

Lack of confidence

Being in a foreign nation makes it difficult to engage with others, make friends, express one's thoughts, and more!

  4

Academic commitments and work responsibilities

For international students, unfamiliar academic settings, programmes, and study methods might be difficult. Additionally, having to have a part-time job to help with expenses can cause students a lot of stress.

   5

The burden of a fresh independence

Many students often struggle with the stress of juggling their academics with a host of new responsibilities, including overcoming language obstacles, finding suitable housing and roommates, paying rent, and handling domestic duties.

 

Ways to deal with these stressors

1. Stay socially connected in your host country

Build your local support network or swap stories with other international students sharing similar experiences. You’ll also be able to find a lot of students from Other and nearby countries studying in and around your city and catch up with them. To locate local groups of international students or others who like similar activities, use social networking websites and/or apps.

2. Speak to your loved ones, close friends, and/or personal support networks

Speak with someone you can trust. Try:

  • Scheduling regular Skype calls with family or friends,
  • Sending postcards home while traveling,
  • Writing emails or letters,
  • Turning off social media for a while,
  • Joining student organizations,
  • Keeping a busy schedule,
  • Meeting new people,
  • Being open to new experiences,
  • Going on trips and adventures with new friends.

3. Take good care of yourself by being active, eating well, and exercising

Stress has also been linked to poor food and sleep patterns. So, eat healthful meals and get plenty of sleep. Instead of frequently dining out or overindulging in takeout, try making your meals at home. Physical and mental health both benefit from exercise. Make sure to stay active by swimming, working out in the gym, or going for a walk or run. You can maintain your equilibrium by engaging in deep breathing techniques, yoga, and meditation.

4. Explore your new city

Try to learn about your new surroundings and the current events in the city where you are staying. You'll feel more connected and less alone if you familiarise yourself. Find out what your new community has to offer whether you were active in a club, church, or other groups back home.

Do some research on the area you live in to identify a few sites you should visit, such as the top coffee shops in the city, popular hangouts for local street performers, or all the numerous hiking trails. Make a list of these destinations or things to do, and set a goal for yourself to complete it before you depart.

5. Express your emotions to others

Being homesick is not shameful. The majority of people experience it. If you feel like you need more support to deal with your stress, ask a professional for assistance. Support for those with mental health issues is offered by a variety of people and organizations. You might also get in touch with the student support center at your university, which frequently offers experts like counselors and advisers who can assist you in managing stress.

6. Vent and share your emotions

Start keeping a notebook and letting all of your feelings out if you are too shy to talk about them with anyone. To express oneself, you can use creative art genres like poetry, short stories, or even painting.

For more detail about Sharda University visit www.sharda.ac.in

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