Studying abroad is a life-changing experience.

Moving to a new country can be exciting, and it gives you the perfect opportunity to know a different part of the world, meet new people, learn a new language, and experience a new culture. The transition is not easy, and there are many challenges that come with it; like language barriers, cultural differences, and homesickness. However, the experience is totally worth it, and you will learn things that you will take with you wherever you go.

My name is Roberto Farid. I am from Brazil, and I came to Auburn, AL in 2018 to begin pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Marketing. I am a graduating senior, and I would like to share my experience and a few tips that helped me to succeed at Auburn University.

Be ready to learn and grow.

If you have never lived by yourself before, once you come to college you will realize that you don’t have your parents to help with everything, especially when you are leaving in a different country or continent. You need to step up for yourself and get things done—even simple things like cleaning your house or buying groceries. Looking back, this knowing how to fend for myself made me more mature, responsible, and independent over time.

Be open-minded.

You need to embrace your new life, be open to new possibilities, learn local traditions, celebrate holidays, and find new things to do. For example, Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays that I don’t get to celebrate back home. This is one of the most popular American holidays, and it is all about spending time with friends and family, enjoying each other’s company over some tasty food.

Find a community.

The best way to adapt to a new place is by finding a community and making friends. It’s important to have people around you. This helps to keep yourself busy and avoid homesickness. A great way I found to meet new people and make new friends was through outside-of-class activities like going to gym or playing soccer. If you have a friend that likes to work out, for example, the Rec Center is the perfect place to meet up and hang out.

Get involved on campus.

There are many ways to be involved on campus, you can join organizations, clubs, or intramural teams. If you go to AUinvolve’s website, you can find plenty of opportunities and filter the type of club or organization according to your interest and favorite activities. This is also a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills by taking a position in the organizations or clubs you are part of.

Study and do well in your classes.

For your academic and professional success, your performance throughout your years in college is crucial. My advice is to start well from the beginning. GPA might not get you a job, but a bad GPA might prevent you from getting one. You can always use resources provided by the university on campus for your benefits, and you should always look for help when needed. The Miller Writing Center at the Library, for example, is an excellent resource, in which you schedule an appointment with a tutor that will help you with your essays or answer any questions you have.

Find a job/internship.

In order to fully embrace your time in the USA, I believe that having a job or internship can open your mind and give you a lot of experience. As international students on an F1 visa, we can only have part-time jobs on campus. There is a career fair every semester, where you can find all the opportunities available to you. With internships, you can apply for a CPT (Curricular Practical Training), which allows you to work in a field related to your major, gain firsthand knowledge, receive academic credit, boost your resume, and make some extra money.

Make this your new home.

If you are not planning to stay in the USA after graduation, you will spend at least a few years here. My advice is to make this place your new home for the time you are here. Find joy in every moment, explore the city where you live or even other states, and make friendships that can last your whole life.

Be Well, Auburn.

Photography: Roberto F.