Nobody Talks About This Side of Studying Abroad

Life as an international student tends to appear glamorous at face value, but there is always a back story. Through all the fun preparations to travel, there are some moments of struggle, finding yourself and learning to cope in a whole new world. Anushree is one of those individuals who knows about this journey well, since she is an alumna of King’s College London, where she pursued her Masters in Counselling Psychology. She is also a graduate of Clinical Psychology and Applied Psychology, and each of the degrees contributes to her knowledge of the human mind.

Having been in the mental health sphere, Anushree stands behind the people in their most challenging moments. She shares her personal experience studying abroad, and this viewpoint is not narrowly academic but includes emotions and psychological difficulties that students rarely like to discuss. That is the side of studying abroad we are exploring here.

Challenges Students Face Abroad

Reality is a lot different when the initial thrill wears off and this is quickly discovered by many students. The experience that Anushree describes highlights some common setbacks that affect mental health and general well-being when studying abroad.

Struggle with Mental Health:

Anushree has witnessed how learners in foreign countries silently grapple with stress, anxiety, and burnout. Most do not talk of what they are experiencing because they fear being judged and some do not even know whom to open up to. This silence has a tendency to weigh the situation down and without the proper outlet, mental health issues may go unnoticed until it weighs you down.

Cultural Shock:

She also states that besides academic life, when one is moving to a new culture, the experience may be emotionally taxing. It is different right down to how people communicate and even the day-to-day norms. Being able to be comfortable in a new place is nerve-wracking, not to mention when certain misunderstandings are making you feel like you do not fit anywhere, which is another layer to the emotional burden.

Homesickness and Loneliness:

Events such as festivals, birthdays and even an everyday evening may become different when you are separated by thousands of miles from your loved ones.Students might seem all right on the surface, but their loneliness can sneak in without notice, given the lack of regular voices and rooms, particularly at an early stage of being abroad.

Lack of Support System:

Back home, a bad day could be solved with a ten-minute talk or a hug with a person that understands you. Instant comfort is not available in other countries. It takes time and hard work to create your own circle and until then, it is like you are doing everything on your own.

Practical Strategies for Mental Well-Being Abroad

It is not just about spotting the struggles. Anushree shares what actually works when you are not in your home. These are some of the things that she has observed to make you feel more grounded and rooted even during those times when life abroad may be overwhelming.

Three Grounding Practices:

Her little ways do count a lot. Take walks as this will make you breathe out and restart. Remind yourself constantly what inspired you to study abroad in the first place as this gives you a perspective when things are rough. And have an anchor person somebody you can turn to when you feel lost.

Finding Your Third Space:

She speaks of a space which is your space, and not your classroom and not your home. It may be a nearby cafe, a park bench or even a corner in a library. That third space comes as a little comfort corner where you can go back to when things get too much.

Affordable Therapy Options Abroad:

Therapy can be costly when you are abroad but to manage it, you can use a few methods. According to Anushree, professors make the best first contact point. They tend to be sympathetic and able to suggest resources on campus to help you and that can help to curtail the process of seeking help. Other students also continue their treatment with a professional back in India and then it would just involve timing your schedule to the difference in time zones.

Differences in Psychology Education and Practice Between India and the UK

Training in the field of psychology in the UK is rather organized in terms of practical exposure. The students involve themselves a lot in placements, and they directly work with clients, and they are made to support their approaches by research. The system lays a great focus on the evidence-based practice, and the faculty tends to remain very much invested in the course of a student.

In India, education is more theory-based. The exposure is practical and can be different in different locations and research may not be the point-of-emphasis all the time. Although it is well-academically grounded, the practice direction may seem less standardised, and the resources allocated to some areas of specialisation may be insufficient. Each of the settings is strong in its own way. You have to make a choice of which one suits you in terms of learning and working.

Conclusion

When you study psychology overseas, you become exposed to new modes of thoughts, new teaching experiences and strategies that may influence how you approach the subject to foster your perception of the field. The one year masters course in the UK can be a source of strong experience, particularly in addition to internships, placements or voluntary work. It depends on how you want to utilize your skills, what type of training you like and the change you want to bring to mental health.

Excited about connecting with like-minded peers who are also on the same path, the GD community on GyanDhan gives one the opportunity to do just that; it provides a platform to share, ask questions, and create a network as one enters into this space.

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