{"id":22508,"date":"2018-10-05T13:00:52","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T12:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/11-peurs-infondees-avant-partir-etranger\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T10:22:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T09:22:57","slug":"11-unfounded-fears-before-going-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/blog\/11-unfounded-fears-before-going-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"11 unfounded fears we all have before going abroad and how to overcome them"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #21a0a0;\">11 unfounded fears we all have before going abroad and how to overcome them<\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"intro\">Have you found an <strong>international internship<\/strong> and your departure has never been so close?<\/p>\n<p>You should be excited. And you are.<\/p>\n<p>But you can\u2019t help asking yourself a thousand questions: \u201cWill I adapt?\u201d, \u201cWill I like this new life?\u201d, \u201cWhat if I don\u2019t speak the language?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Worse: the people around you add another layer of stress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAre you going alone? But how are you going to manage?\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cAren\u2019t you afraid of feeling lonely?\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cYou don\u2019t even speak their language!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t worry. We\u2019ve all been there. Here are the <strong>11 most common fears before leaving abroad<\/strong>\u2026 and why none of them really hold up.<\/p>\n<header>\n<article>\n<header>\n<header>\n<header>\n<section>\n<header style=\"margin-bottom: 50px;\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 40px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ee6146; color: #fff; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/internship-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83c\udf0e FIND YOUR FUTURE INTERNSHIP ABROAD <\/a><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/article>\n<\/header>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">The myth to forget: \u201cI\u2019m scared, so I\u2019m not ready\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is the number one mistake made by candidates for an <strong>internship abroad<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Being scared doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re not ready. It means you\u2019re aware, and that you\u2019re taking your project seriously. The people who never ask themselves any questions are rarely the ones who succeed in their expatriation.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.internations.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">InterNations<\/a>, most expats experience at least one moment of doubt during their first year. And most of them grow from it.<\/p>\n<p>In short: fear is normal. Here\u2019s how to defuse it before <strong>going abroad<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Fears related to arrival<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">1. Administrative phobia<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Just thinking about paperwork in a foreign country makes you want to run away.<\/p>\n<p>We get it. But good news: you can prepare in advance.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make a checklist of the documents you need to provide before leaving.<\/li>\n<li>Prepare your digital file on your cloud.<\/li>\n<li>Find out about the local registration number, such as the NIE in Spain or the identity card in Malta.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And if you go through <strong>Stud&amp;Globe<\/strong>, we take care of most of the work for you.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">2. You\u2019re afraid of ending up on the street<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Finding accommodation in France can be a nightmare. But abroad?<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s often easier than you think.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hostels for the first few days and first encounters.<\/li>\n<li>Airbnb or Spotahome for short-term rentals.<\/li>\n<li>Facebook groups like \u201cFrench people in Barcelona\u201d or \u201cErasmus Malta\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>HousingAnywhere, Uniplaces or Idealista for shared flats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depending on the offers <strong>Stud&amp;Globe<\/strong> provides, accommodation is sometimes included.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">3. You\u2019ll get lost on the very first day<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You and directions don\u2019t really get along? Maybe not at all?<\/p>\n<p>No stress. Three reflexes can change everything.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Write down a reference address: yours, your company, or a metro station.<\/li>\n<li>Prepare a standard sentence in the local language: \u201cExcuse me, I\u2019m looking for\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Download Google Maps offline before you arrive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And honestly? Getting lost during the first few days is also the best way to discover a city.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Fears related to the stay<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">4. The language barrier seems impossible to overcome<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019re afraid you won\u2019t understand anything. Spoiler: you\u2019ll understand very quickly.<\/p>\n<p>The human brain is incredibly fast at adapting to a new language when it is immersed in it continuously. After a few weeks, you pick up words. Then sentences. Then entire conversations.<\/p>\n<p>And in the meantime? English, gestures, a smile, DeepL on your phone. You\u2019ll always find a way.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">5. You\u2019ll spend your evenings alone watching Netflix<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the number one fear of introverts who leave.<\/p>\n<p>The solution: create opportunities to meet people as soon as you arrive.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sign up for a group activity: sport, language classes or a creative workshop.<\/li>\n<li>Join Meetup or InterNations groups in your city.<\/li>\n<li>Go to an Erasmus or ESN event, even if you\u2019re not an Erasmus student.<\/li>\n<li>Activate Bumble BFF or friendship apps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gooverseas.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Go Overseas<\/a> points out, most students make their first friends within the first two weeks after arriving.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">6. You\u2019ll miss your loved ones<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This one is real. You\u2019ll miss your loved ones. They\u2019ll miss you too.<\/p>\n<p>But today, staying in touch is much easier.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom exist.<\/li>\n<li>A weekly video call with your family can become your new ritual.<\/li>\n<li>And as they say: \u201cOut of sight, close to the heart.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Bonus: it\u2019s also an opportunity to redefine your real relationships. You\u2019ll know who replies to your messages, and who doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">7. Homesickness will overwhelm you<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your caf\u00e9, your baker, your Parisian or Lyon lifestyle will feel far away.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s normal. And it passes.<\/p>\n<p>The trick: don\u2019t fight homesickness. Welcome it. Make yourself a raclette in the middle of a Spanish summer if it makes you feel good. And get back to your new life the next day.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">8. You\u2019re afraid of different cultural codes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Foreign country = different culture. Obviously.<\/p>\n<p>Three golden rules can help you better experience your <strong>international experience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Don\u2019t judge. Observe.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid sensitive topics like politics or religion until you know the person you\u2019re speaking with.<\/li>\n<li>Stay curious. Ask questions instead of comparing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/knowledge.insead.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">INSEAD Knowledge<\/a> highlights, multicultural experiences strengthen creativity, decision-making and professional performance.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">9. You\u2019re afraid you\u2019ll have to eat things you don\u2019t like<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It may sound silly. But food is cultural, and it really matters.<\/p>\n<p>The rule: open up. Try everything. You\u2019ll come back with 10 new favorite dishes to cook for the people around you.<\/p>\n<p>And if you really can\u2019t take it anymore? Every country has its international supermarket.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Fears related to coming back<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-22139\" src=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Design-sans-titre-26.webp\" alt=\"fears\" width=\"874\" height=\"490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Design-sans-titre-26.webp 2350w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Design-sans-titre-26-768x430.webp 768w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Design-sans-titre-26-1536x861.webp 1536w, https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Design-sans-titre-26-2048x1148.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">10. You\u2019re afraid of being left out when you come back<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While you were living your adventure, life went on without you.<\/p>\n<p>So what? You don\u2019t come back the same. Your friends aren\u2019t the same either. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll quickly realize that you have unique things to share that no one else can tell. It\u2019s more of a social asset than a disadvantage.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #00416f;\">11. You\u2019re afraid of feeling like a stranger in your own country<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the deepest fear of expats. And the truest one.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, coming back isn\u2019t easy. You won\u2019t find your old rhythm, your old caf\u00e9, or your old version of yourself. But that\u2019s exactly what makes the experience so valuable: you\u2019ve grown, matured and broadened your horizons.<\/p>\n<p>And you know what? Your next departure will feel easier.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Why get support from Stud&amp;Globe?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Because we know all these fears. We\u2019ve seen them a thousand times.<\/p>\n<p>At <strong>Stud&amp;Globe<\/strong>, we help you prepare your <strong>departure abroad<\/strong> so that your international internship takes place in the best possible conditions.<\/p>\n<h3>In practical terms, we help you:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Prepare your administrative procedures before departure.<\/li>\n<li>Find your accommodation, depending on the offers.<\/li>\n<li>Connect with other students already there.<\/li>\n<li>Guide you on insurance, SIM cards or banking.<\/li>\n<li>Support you at every step, before, during and after.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You leave with peace of mind. You enjoy the experience. You come back transformed.<\/p>\n<header>\n<article>\n<header>\n<header>\n<header>\n<section>\n<header style=\"margin-bottom: 50px;\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 40px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #ee6146; color: #fff; padding: 14px 22px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 400;\" href=\"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/internship-abroad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\ud83d\ude80 APPLY NOW <\/a><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/header>\n<\/article>\n<\/header>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ee6146;\">Ready to turn your fears into an adventure?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>11 fears. 0 reasons to give up.<\/p>\n<p>The real risk is not leaving. It\u2019s never having done it.<\/p>\n<p>So, what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>11 unfounded fears we all have before going abroad and how to overcome them Have you found an international internship and your departure has never been so close? You should be excited. And you are. But you can\u2019t help asking yourself a thousand questions: \u201cWill I adapt?\u201d, \u201cWill I like this new life?\u201d, \u201cWhat if [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[648],"tags":[796,746,752],"class_list":["post-22508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students","tag-intercultural-experience","tag-international-career","tag-student-mobility"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22508"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22508\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22518,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22508\/revisions\/22518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studandglobe.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}