What to do when faced with typical Erasmus stress problems

The experience of going to study through an Erasmus program is usually seen as a privilege. One of those experiences that shape the happiest years of the European university student. It makes sense for this to happen: it's a great way to get to know the world and, incidentally, make contact with interesting people from other cultures.

However, the reality is that there are not a few people who suffer from stress problems when they go on Erasmus; Let's see what are its most common variants and how to deal with them.

Stress problems during Erasmus

Every year, more than 50,000 Spanish students embark on the adventure of carrying out an Erasmus. The Erasmus program facilitates the academic mobility of students within the European Union, being able to study between three and twelve months in another country and another university, with the option of requesting an economic scholarship for the cost of living abroad suppose.

However, what for some people can be a very fun experience can be too stimulating and even overwhelming for others. If this is your case, don't worry! Here you will find general advice to know what to do when dealing with stress problems during an Erasmus.

• Related article: "Types of stress and its triggers"

Pre-Erasmus stress

Some people speak of anticipatory stress for Erasmus, referring to the emotions experienced a few weeks or months prior to the start of this experience. Right now, feelings of nervousness or fear appear, doubting if the decision made has been correct or if they may regret it in the future once the school year begins.

Also, in the weeks leading up to an Erasmus, you have to organize yourself to be able to say goodbye to your friends and family, together with preparing your luggage and making sure that you have all your documentation in order for your arrival and start of course.

Here are several keys to managing your roller coaster of emotions as you prepare for your new adventure:

1. Control the paperwork

The amount of paperwork related to the university, renting a room or plane tickets can overwhelm you. Therefore, it is recommended that you have them all under control, organize them and make sure that they are okay. Once this is done, you can forget about this part of the process until you go to the airport to catch your plane. Little things like these are the ones that overwhelm us unconsciously, so It is a good idea to get rid of them as soon as possible to move forward without panic.

• You may be interested in: "Time management: 13 tips to make the most of the hours of the day"

2. Ask other people for their experience

If you don't completely get over the fear of facing an experience like this, turn to friends or acquaintances who have done an Erasmus before. Asking about their experience and commenting on your fears can come in very handy to learn about experiences that may be a bit similar to yours right now.

3. Until you do, you won't know

It is normal to think that something can go wrong, since an Erasmus encompasses many different aspects of your life. But just as it can go wrong, it can also go right. Until you expose yourself to real situations, you won't find out., and avoidance is not a good coping technique for things that scare you.

Upon arrival in the new country

Once you arrive at your new destination, everything will be very exciting. Here you will find different situations that can cause you stress, so that you take them into consideration and prepare ways to deal with them in case you experience them.

1. Adaptation

It is normal that your first days in this destination and your adaptation to your new surroundings can overwhelm you. Stress will always accompany you in situations that are uncertain, and can make you feel uneasy and insecure.

To solve it, it is best to get mental about your new situation and give yourself the time you need to adjust to it. Using relaxation mechanisms or techniques can help you for moments that can overwhelm you, to help you think more objectively and connect with your emotions honestly.

• Related article: "Ulysses syndrome: chronic stress in immigrants"

2. Loneliness

Many times, Erasmus is presented as an experience based on sociability, and it is normal to be afraid thinking about the possibility of not making friends, not fitting in, or otherwise missing your loved ones and you feel alone. Don't worry, in Erasmus there are many activities that are very easy to access in order to get to know other people and the environment that surrounds us. In addition, social networks and online platforms offer us alternatives to meet people with whom you can share tastes or hobbies.

3. Finance

It may be that going on Erasmus is your first experience managing your personal finances. Managing expenses, such as opening a bank account abroad or understanding foreign currency fees, can be a stressful challenge.. It is better that you take it with time and, most importantly, that you seek advice. You will not be the first person to do an Erasmus in the destination where you are, you will be surrounded by people in your same situation, and a shared problem will always be less. Seek help from your host university and Erasmus host groups will always be of great help.

Enjoy getting to know yourself in this new context

The most important thing is that you let yourself go and enjoy the experience. An Erasmus is a very stimulating new experience, and it is normal for you to have difficult moments or to miss your loved ones. But the positive thing about novel experiences is that they are the ones that make us learn the most, and I'm sure that, whatever it is, you'll learn new things from an experience like this.