When prioritising the factors which should influence your decision about which overseas university to apply to, where and how you live is possibly more important than anything else.
A comfortable, safe living environment is essential for your physical and mental well-being. It can help you adapt to a new country and reduce stress during your studies by making you feel secure and safe. Most universities will offer the subject of your choice but student accommodation can vary from being excellent to lacking even basic amenities and making you feel unwelcome. For example if you opt to stay with a host family your experience could be the best possible or the worst possible. Not all host families are able to understand or accommodate students arriving from a different country with cultural and religious differences. Where your accommodation is located will also be a major factor in making your university life happy, rewarding and successful.
Of course Omani students now have a wide choice of good universities available at home so before opting to study overseas why not check out Omani universities and universities closer to home in neighbouring countries. Don’t rule out applying for a good job or a vocational training course. That route can be equally rewarding and successful.
As a new university student it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the responsibilities and obligations suddenly thrust upon you. Both my daughters studied at university in the UK and I was well aware of the pressures placed on them owing to academic work deadlines, suddenly finding themselves in a new environment with no friends and without family around them to give emotional support. Of course they had the added comfort of studying in their own country.
University education isn’t for everyone. But if you are intent on attending university and in particular if your choice of university is overseas it’s important to think carefully about whether this is the right career pathway for you or whether you might be better suited to entering the workplace once you have matriculated from school.
According to a recent study in the UK there is evidence that amongst university students there are higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to young people in the workplace. It has been estimated that up to 20 per cent of university students may suffer from this at some time during their university course. However, by choosing the right kind of university, the right course of study, the right country, the right environment and most importantly the right accommodation this can help to mitigate any such problems. The cost of living is another important factor. You need to be able to stay healthy both physically and emotionally.
My advice: select an overseas campus university which can guarantee you a room in one of their on-campus Halls of Residence close to where most of your lectures and tutorials will be given. Living alongside fellow students who are in the same boat as you can lead to valuable social and academic connections that can last a lifetime.
Feeling homesick is a normal emotion when you are alone and far away from the familiar comforts of home. You will occasionally miss the familiar faces of your family members and friends. Initially this may be difficult to handle but given time your new university friends will help you to adapt to this new life. You will have other diversions if you sign up for university activities and Societies of interest. And of course your academic work will occupy your thoughts when you’re not socialising.
Nevertheless depression continues to be a health problem for a minority of students and to address this accredited universities should have a student counseling office run by trained professionals whose job it is to protect students who experience depression or any emotional distress. You can discuss any concerns with them in strict confidence. The first semester may seem daunting. You will have to deal with so many decisions, many of which are new to you. It may even feel at times as if you have entered a dark tunnel. It’s part of what growing up is. Life in the big wide world isn’t always easy. It has its ups and downs. University isn’t a preparation for life, it is life and probably the most important years of your life.
So don’t despair and don’t give up.There is light at the end of the tunnel and with time and effort you can emerge from any darkness stronger and more resilient than ever. Make use of the university counselling service if necessary.
Don’t suffer in silence if you are feeling down. Life is an endless stream of obstacles, but remember university life also has many marvellous opportunities. You will never forget your time at university and the freedom it gave you to expand your horizons and develop as an individual. So in spite of some possible early teething problems you will always look back with nostalgia at those wonderful, precious years.
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