I was ecstatic when I was accepted to study journalism at Casa Artom in Venice. It felt like a dream come true — not just because I would study what I loved, but because I’d finally live in a city I’d only ever dreamed of visiting.
To prepare for my semester abroad, I thoroughly researched all the materials I might need in Venice. From mosquito repellent to a handheld fan, I was beyond ready for any circumstance.
I’ll never forget my first Vaporetto ride from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Casa Artom. I was exhilarated but also overwhelmed, excited because I didn’t know what to expect and anxious because I had no idea what to expect. That was the first moment I realized I might have underestimated how difficult this experience would be.
The whole first day, I felt anxious. Being in the house was suffocating, as privacy was limited. Exploring the city’s winding alleyways was also intimidating. Despite this, I tried to keep a brave face and mirror the excitement of my housemates.
That night, I found myself up at a late hour — kept up by my anxiety — on a Reddit forum. “Is it possible to leave your study abroad and continue your semester?” the top of the screen read.
With covers over my head to not wake up my two roommates, I had a pit in my stomach as I sat the phone down and stared at the ceiling.
When I woke up, the first few moments were filled with that familiar disorientation — the kind where you forget where you are, only to have the truth crash over you in waves. ‘Oh right, I’m in Venice. This is real.’ The realization always came with that familiar pit in my stomach. And then I repeated it all the next night.
This happened over and over and over. It felt like a never-ending cycle.
When classes began a few days after we arrived, I found comfort in the structure of our schedule, distracted by fascinating lessons on the history and art of Venice.
But this comfort was always short-lived. As soon as I stepped out of the blanket of academia, I felt lost again.
To make matters worse, it appeared that I was the only one going through this wide range of emotions. Of course, I had strong suspicions that some of my peers felt similarly, but we weren’t close enough for me to bring it up.
Amidst the chaos in my mind, I found small pockets of peace during my lone walks through the city. A slice of pizza from the corner shop, the serenity of the Grand Canal, or the sound of Montell Fish’s “We Are Still in Love” — these moments were fleeting but vital.
I knew I needed someone to share these feelings with, so I’d call my mom. But it never felt the same. It wasn’t the same as having someone beside me, experiencing it all in real-time.
One night, about two weeks into my semester abroad, I’d taken my usual walk and found my spot overlooking the Grand Canal, but this time, something inside me cracked. When I called my mom, I couldn’t hold it together. And when she said, “Ayzosh yene konjo” (hang in there, my beautiful), everything felt even heavier. She felt so close yet so far.
That night, I returned to the house and immediately searched for my professor. We had a long talk on the terrace about the conversation with my mom.
I opened up to her and explained that I hadn’t been honest with myself, her or anyone about what I was going through prior to the trip. We decided that, at that point, the best decision was to go home so I could be closer to my support system.
Why am I telling you this? Mental health abroad matters.
My challenging experience abroad wasn’t just a bad case of homesickness or culture shock. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, roughly one in four students experience mental health challenges while studying abroad. The pressure of adapting to a new culture and living in an unfamiliar environment, coupled with pre-existing mental health issues for some, often exacerbates feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
I know what you may be thinking if you’re preparing to go abroad. New people and a new environment provide the perfect opportunity to forget your problems back home — an escape from reality, if you will. But studying abroad should only add to the contentment and happiness of your life. It shouldn’t be used to take yourself out of a mentally bad place.
My experience abroad taught me a valuable lesson: mental health should always be a priority, no matter where you are. Studying abroad can be transformative, but only if you’re mentally prepared to handle the challenges it brings.
Here are some things I wish I had known before going abroad:
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- Know your resources: Research the mental health services offered at Wake Forest and determine whether you can set up meetings abroad. Your abroad program might have a nearby clinic, so you’re not going through these challenges alone.
- Build a support network with your group: Don’t wait until you feel isolated to connect with others. It’s easy to assume everyone is having the time of their lives, but they are likely going through similar challenges.
- Create familiar routines: In my short-lived time abroad, I found that maintaining small, comforting routines from home made a huge difference. This can bring a sense of normalcy and control to a foreign environment.
- Reach out early and often: Stay in touch with loved ones who understand you. Talking it out is the best thing you can do.
If you’re getting ready for your experience abroad, don’t consider it an escape. Don’t use it to run away from your problems. Use it as an opportunity to grow and to take care of yourself.
When I arrived back on campus just over two weeks into the fall semester, I was able to ground myself and find my footing again. Initially ashamed of myself for giving up, I quickly realized that it was an act of bravery to admit when I needed help and take the steps necessary to get it.
While I can’t change the past, I’m glad I can offer advice to anyone who plans to go abroad (and who knows, maybe even myself if I decide to embark on another academic overseas experience).
Naiyah B • Feb 4, 2025 at 11:00 am
Thank you, Beza, for sharing your experience—this is incredibly insightful and such a valuable topic.
Zee • Feb 4, 2025 at 10:26 am
Surely it’s an act of bravery to admit the challenges and even admirable sharing it.
Proud of you