Moving abroad can be very overwhelming, no matter why you are moving. You’ll likely be in unfamiliar surroundings, may not speak the language and not know anyone to help you in the beginning. To settle in, you need to keep an open mind and be ready to step outside your comfort zone. Here’s a short guide to surviving taking the plunge, and getting the most out of your experience abroad. Don’t live alone. Try to find accommodation with like-minded people (ideally other students), and start looking before you relocate. Join extracurricular activities. A sports team, book club, language class – they can all help you settle in and make new friends. Searching for groups like these on Facebook can yield great results. Mingle with local friends. Locals will show you the coolest places to go and help you learn the language, while friends of your own nationality can help you to settle in and feel less homesick. But remember: spending too much time with people who speak your language is one of the biggest obstacles to learning a new one. Speak the local language. You may make mistakes and confuse people, but locals will more often than not appreciate you making the effort. And if they try to speak your language back to you, answer in theirs! Search for the appropriate health insurance in advance. Save some money for the first months. Locals may try and over-charge you for things, and a blocked bank account because you forgot to tell your bank you were moving can leave you feeling helpless. Know your student rights. You could be entitled to all sorts of discounts, from travel cards to consumer items to classes at the local university. Saving money this way means being able to spend more enjoying yourself. Be professional, if you are working. Your employment might be temporary and making the transition from student to employee can be difficult, but the standards you set now can help you greatly for life after university. Likewise, any bad habits you pick up can be hard to kick! Explore your new city. Don’t put off checking out what your city has to offer just because you might have a whole year to explore. Start your exploration early, because your year abroad will be over very soon! Save time to travel. Whether your destination has much to keep you occupied or not, don’t miss the opportunity to visit neighboring cities and countries. If you’re in mainland Europe, for example, you could potentially visit a dozen different countries, and might only need a long weekend to do so! The skills you learn and the experiences you have studying abroad can play a large part in how you grow up and develop as an adult post-university. Remember that living abroad is an unique opportunity many people get, so embrace it! If you are relocating abroad from Switzerland for studying purpose, check out Crown Relocations' services for a moving quote.