As an Arab high-school student, the very idea of going to university usually goes side-by-side with studying abroad. It feels like the ‘dream’ we would sign up for without hesitation or second thoughts, for it represents independence and freedom from all the Arab cultural restraints.
Many people, however, do not realise what it actually takes for one to live and study abroad. Speaking from my two years of experience, studying in the United Kingdom has been by far the most mentally draining experience of my life. I do not mean to generalize, things do differ from one person to another, but this is my personal experience. To anyone going through the same problems that I have, you are not alone.
There is already a stigma regarding mental illness existing in our culture and so when my mental health has hit a rocky road while being so far away from everything and everyone that makes me feel safe, things quickly went from bad to worse. The simplest tasks became increasingly hard to accomplish and soon I stopped getting out of bed as a whole.
As a naive 18-year old at the time, I thought I could disregard all of what I had been going through and get on with my life. However, ignoring my problems is not an ideal solution. The troubles have slowly creeped their way into my academic performance and I did not have any ‘real’ excuse, I simply could not explain WHY I was not able to function like I usually had.
Regardless of any personal obstacles you could face while abroad, there are a few things you will only learn through experience. First of all, no summer school or long holiday will ever prepare you enough to live abroad. One day you were at home, food on the table, fridge magically full, clothes always clean, and the next day you are responsible to feed yourself, buy your own groceries, and manage your own money. Life is truly expensive!
I’ve also learned that highschool is a beautiful bubble for most! You have your friends around you every single day. Yes, you will make friends at university, but things are not as easy and simple. Nothing is ever as easy and simple anymore.
I cannot deny how much I’ve grown through those two years, I wouldn’t replace it for the world despite everything I was going through. It is beautiful being independent, learning about yourself on your own, far from everyone and everything you’re familiar with.
I am currently studying Finance in Bahrain, and I have genuinely never thought I’d be this happy ever again. I never thought I’d make it to be this happy. I am in no way saying my experience reflects what your experience would be like, but I simply wasn’t prepared for what living abroad had in store for me, and yet I am grateful for every moment I spent abroad, for it had taught me more about myself than anything I’ve ever experienced before.
Stay safe.
Love,
DJay
Friendly Neighborhood Arab 