Hi! I’m Rosanna (she/her), and I’m now six months into my year in industry at a research institute in Belgium. I’m working in a lab that researches cellular changes in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. I have learned so much in such a short period of time, about my placement and living abroad in general.
As a student on a self-sourced placement abroad, I feel that my experiences differ slightly from those on the Study Abroad program and UK-based placements. I thought I’d share some of my challenges, lessons and advice to help those preparing for placement years abroad, and to hopefully help those currently on placement abroad that may be feeling alone.
Surviving the first few weeks
It is normal to spend the first few weeks feeling completely overwhelmed! I spent two weeks living in an AirBnB before the contract for my room started. This meant I had to figure out how to move across the city on my own, whilst registering with the local authorities, figuring out how medical insurance works, and getting a bus pass (surprisingly complicated!).
At the same time, I was settling into my life as a Year in Industry student. Learning new scientific techniques and the detail behind my project, as well as the structure and culture of the workplace. It’s a lot to learn, and I was exhausted for about three weeks as I settled into my new life.
I’d definitely recommend making time to rest and do things that are familiar to you during this time. Like watching a comfort show and calling friends and family from home. I’m lucky that my placement supervisor was also very understanding.
Finding your people
As my placement was self-sourced, I didn’t know anyone going into my placement. In fact, it was my first time being in a country where I didn’t know anyone at all!
My housemates are Belgian students, and they usually go home every weekend as it is such a small country. So I’ve had to look elsewhere to form closer friendships. I found I really connected with other international students, especially Masters students doing their projects in our lab. We bonded over funny culture shocks from moving to Belgium, and helping each other out on our projects.
Another great find was the local Erasmus Student Network. Although I’m not an Erasmus student, they have been welcoming to all international students. They organise cheap trips to local cities (and occasionally other countries!) and evening events. Although I can’t go to a lot of the events due to my work schedule, I did go on a great trip to Antwerp, where we had a guided tour, ate waffles and got cheap entry to a museum.
Finding familiarity through routine
Establishing a routine has been really beneficial for me, and definitely helped to speed up the settling in process. During the week (when I’m not at work), I attend dance classes, go to the cinema, and call friends and family. At the weekend, I check out local cafes, do my laundry and my weekly shop. I also prepare lunches for the week ahead, and explore nearby cities! I’m really enjoying having restful weekends, which can be hard to come by as a student. Having a familiar routine in my life has helped to make this place feel like a home.
Keep making plans!
Without scheduled semesters and holidays, the weeks can sometimes start to blur together! But, you should have a number of holiday days, and it’s so important to make use of them. I’ve found that planning in mini breaks to visit friends and family has helped with homesickness and I can come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to get stuck back in. I’ve also enjoyed exploring Belgium, and I’m planning on travelling to other countries for weekend trips when the weather gets warmer.
I hope that my experiences will resonate with other students that are currently doing, are planning, or have done, their placement year abroad. Everyone’s experience will vary so much depending on the country, the work you’re doing, and how far from home you are! But the principle remains the same: build familiarity into the unknown, and this new life you’re living will start to feel like your life in no time.
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