How can I make success of stay abroad?

Kuwait
March 27, 2012 4:51am CST
When i arrived at the airport all i wanted to do was go home. I had lost all my joy of discovery. In a word,i was more homesick than i had ever been before. It is a scary feeling to all by myself in a foreign land. Some go to get an education or to recieve special training,like me. Some want to learn a language. Some simply want to earn money. Assuming that you are staying abroad for wise reasons,what can you do to ensure that your stay will be a success?
2 responses
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
28 Mar 12
I see that you are from Kuwait. What country are you now living in? First, relax and take it slow. Don't be pushy or try too hard. You are lonely and want to meet people. You will at your job or school. Are you a spiritual or religious person? Perhaps you can meet people wherever you go to worship. Perhaps there are others from your own country and you can get some suggestions or tips from them. Sometimes we make bad decisions because we are lonely. That is why I urge you to just relax and take it slow. I live in The United States and I have moved to different cities in different states but still staying in The United States. I also have felt the same despair that comes with being alone and loneliness. I made a lot of mistakes out of the loneliness. I tried too hard. I was pushy with some groups. I made bad decisions. If I had just taken things a little slower, I would have had better experiences.
• Kuwait
28 Mar 12
Actually sir,i'am a Pilipino citizen. I do live in Phil.and i love my homeplace back there in Davao. But for now i should be staying here in Kuwait for 3 months for my study of geophysics. Though 3 months is not too long to count but it seems like i'm here for almost a decade,i feel so lonely. Yes i'm religious,i belong to a certain Religion back there in my country although Jehovah's witnesses is a worldwide organization,sad to say but i've no brothers and sisters here. Kuwait is a muslim country and its hard to find christians here and that aggravates my situation. Thank you for the advice.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Mar 12
I searched Kuwait. Apparently it is a beautiful country. Has great beaches. Kuwait City has a lot to do -- interesting architecture and good restaurants. There should be very good food in Kuwait. I love Middle Eastern food. Get into the culture, the art, the history. Take a lot of pictures. As a Christian in a Muslim country, I would be careful not to offend. I would suggest that you practice your Christian faith quietly and not try to recruit for your faith. It seems that a lot of Filipinos go to Kuwait for work or as in your case, training. You have a lot of countrymen in Kuwait. Turn to your countrymen for support. Three months is a very short period of time. I would focus on my study of geophysics but I would also want to explore Kuwait. You do not say if you are male or female. That might make a difference in a Muslim Country.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
27 Mar 12
I have been in your situation, because I lived and worked abroad when I was younger. I understand what you mean when you stay that it is scary to be alone in a foreign country. I was very nervous before I left, everything was new, I didn't speak the language and I didn't know anyone, but my co-workers were great and they helped me a lot. You ask what you can do to ensure that your stay will be successful. I think that a lot of it has to do with your attitude and the things that you focus on. You can focus on the bad things like how sad it is to away from your family and your friends at home, or you can look at it as a fantastic chance to find new friends and experience another culture. I would stay that my own stay abroad was successful, because I had a positive attitude. It was scary to leave everything that I knew, but at the same time I was really excited to get that kind of chance and I found it really interesting experience another country. I would advice you to make good use of your free time and see as much of the country as you can. Talk to the locals, talk to other foreigners and learn as much as you can. I wish you lots of luck and I hope that you will re-find your joy of discovery, maybe not right now, but after a while when you get used to living in another country.
• Kuwait
28 Mar 12
Thank you for your advice sir,i must be willing to adapt their culture. And i know it might mean acquiring a taste for new foods,learning some new rules of etiquette,or trying new ways of doing things. These new customs may be very different from the way i did things back home. What a challenge!