Autonomy and Female Students Studying Abroad

In the latest years, the phenomenon of female students who choose to travel for studies and live alone in another foreign country is increasing rapidly due to the increased desire to enjoy their autonomy and independence and to achieve their academic goals at the same time.

This phenomenon is growing since women started solo travel many years ago. Since they are reaching high academic and professional degrees and have an independent income living alone is no longer a luxury.

Autonomy encouraged them to be more independent in the choice of where and how to live abroad. The experience of travelling and living alone for young female students, of course, is not that easy.

The idea of cutting your connection with your family, your roots, and your homeland to face an unfamiliar experience is very challenging. On the other side, it has its rewards and advantages. For this reason, the number of female students living abroad is expected to double the next few years,

Why Do Female Students Choose to Live Alone and Face an Unfamiliar Life Away from Their Families?

 The main two reasons behind this are: 

1. The massive confidence women are gaining through their education progress, and through the freedom and independence they are enjoying in today’s life 
2. The other reason is the ambition to enhance and support future professional growth.

Students today are aware of the challenges they may face to get a good career and have a good income, and the main path for that is to seek better education, which can be afforded outside their countries.

So better jobs and a better lifestyle are often linked to acquiring excellent knowledge outside their countries, so it’s much understood why they consider sacrificing their everyday life and risk facing life as strangers alone.

The Personality Traits You Should Have Before Planning to Live Abroad Alone as a Student

Not all female students can enjoy this lifestyle. Generally, researchers found that some personality traits play a fundamental role in making this successful experience. One of them is to be an adventurer enough and ambitious enough. Leaving your country means facing the unknown, and there is no certainty, at least in the beginning.

Also, you should have the tolerance to handle the ups and downs in your journey. The stronger the ambition you have, the more you will cope with this lifestyle. Sometimes if you are not rich enough, you have to work besides studying to afford your education fees.

The Challenges Female Students Living Abroad Usually Face:

After interviewing many female students who are living abroad, most of them admitted that loneliness and isolation was the biggest enemy they used to live with. Making friends at the beginning is a challenge, and some of them even said that this fact makes them prone to more withdrawal and isolation, and this puts some students under the risk of depression.

Another challenge female students could face from living abroad alone is her feeling that she should make more effort to progress in academic life and skills in a male-dominant society to gain respect and support from people around her.

On the other hand, although these obstacles are on the increase, it as well does not hinder the number of females planning to study abroad, because after a specific amount of time they will be able to make friends and gain confidence. 

Also Read: How to Make Friends in College?

Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad as a Female Student

Yes, the harsh experience a female can face from studying alone abroad is many. Still, on the other hand, she is going to enjoy an exciting, rewarding life. She will make an extensive network of friends from different nationalities.

She will grow in personality and of course in her academic progress and her future career, and she will learn many essential life skills for success, tolerance, and cultural richness 

Tips on How to Overcome the Obstacles

As a female who is planning to study abroad alone, this article is here to offer you some quick tips to help you overcome the difficulties you may face. And to regain your confidence and peace of mind after only a few weeks 

1. Homesickness and Loneliness 

It’s very natural to experience this feeling for the first few weeks until you can cope. Shutdown your Facebook and your favourite game and try to explore the environment around you to get familiar to it. Surveying the area will help you get along with the places, names, and the new culture.

2.   Communication Difficulties 

Learning the essential language skills for necessary communication is not hard only if you try to practice it daily. Listen to others as much as you can and don’t forget to speak and write down your notes in the areas that need to be strengthened in your language skills.

Also Read: How Can International Students Improve Their Communication Skills?

3. Feeling as an Outsider

Try to build a new friendship. Have at least one local friend in the beginning; this will open the door for a more extensive social network. Remember Facebook, and social media apps will only increase your isolation

4.  Fear of Being Lost 

Using digital maps and Google maps nowadays will simplify things for you. Don’t hesitate to ask people around you help. Please write down the names of some main directions you need until you remember them well.

5.   Running Low in Cash

It’s easy to run low of money if you don’t have a specific plan. Please write down the most necessary things you need to buy, and always make sure to have enough money in your wallet for emergencies until the end of the month and stick to it.

Finally, as a female student, please don’t choose a destination for your education before you make sure it’s a safe country and community. Know the law and know your rights. Have enough information about the security procedures in the case of emergencies and stay safe. 

I hope you like our tips. Leave a comment. We’ll love to hear your thoughts and experiences.