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When we stick around one place, we get used to the cultural routine and we start thinking "inside the box." Our identities and desires then get wrapped up in our habits. But, when everything familiar disappears -- when you decide to do something such as  

study abroad

 , for instance -- who you are as a person stands in stark contrast to your new surroundings.

Uncomfortable? Yep. Empowering? Absolutely. As someone who has survived the Study abroad trek, take it from me: Once you ace the "uncomfortable" aspects of the trip, it's easy to make a smooth transition down the path of empowerment.

The Best Way to Prep
Questions about your destination? Helena Wilkins, a study abroad adviser at the University of Texas-Austin, suggests you think in terms of "logistics and goals." You can get the logistics, like bureaucratic requirements, from Web sites like Yahoo!, local newspapers, your local university, etc. You can even download official visa application forms from some consulates' home pages. Next, check out tourist guides and books like the Culture Shock! series (Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co.), all of which can provide in-depth information about hot spots for academics abroad. As for goals, it's up to you to decide what you wish to achieve in your overseas adventure.

Talking to others like counselors in the study abroad office or related agency, can really help with your goals and expectations, as well. Former University of Texas-Austin student Laura Loftin, who lived with a Russian family during her semester abroad after junior year, emphasizes the importance of getting "the whole picture."

Laura wanted a program that could provide a familial, as well as academic experience, one where she would be considered a "member of the family." She got her wish, recalling a time when her Russian "abroad mother," who spoke no English, came into Laura's room, worried about her tardy husband. Laura was able to sympathize with her and ease the woman's mind until her husband returned home safely. "People are people everywhere," says Laura, a lesson she carries with her until this day.

Packing 101
Once you know what you're seeking from a study abroad experience, you can start figuring out what to take with you. Remember, your trip is only halfway between a visit and a move. You don't have to take everything you may possibly need.

Instead, figure out what you'll require immediately. Ask yourself, "If I don't want to die of exposure, what do I need?" Pack that first. Then build up to the next level -- important, but not essential stuff. And what about everything else, you ask? Ship it or just buy it when you arrive. Unless you're in the Sahara, you'll find dollar stores and Wal-Mart clones nearby.

Alex Lopez, a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin, also suggests bringing pictures of your family to keep home close at heart.

Necessary Documents
Next, let's talk bureaucracy -- visas, permits, insurance, immunizations, etc. The most important thing is to give such required paperwork plenty of time to process. Try to prepare all necessary documents months in advance. Get all the details you'll need from the Internet, books, and your counselors, and then follow each set of instructions exactly.

Also, if your usual student health insurance doesn't cover you abroad, you'll need to consider alternate health benefits. Such plans usually cost about $30-$50 a month. Visas, permits, and other required fees, may cost at least a couple hundred dollars, but vary greatly. And remember to budget for shipping and initial shopping.

On the Outside Looking In
It's awful to feel like an outsider, especially if you end up disliking a city. Take a few days before you begin classes to do some apartment hunting, Job hunting, or just have fun. Do touristy things: take pictures, walk around, and fall in love with the city. This way you'll associate your new locale with enjoyment rather than the high-Stress activities of settling in.

If you learn to find pleasure in your surroundings, it will be easier to deal with those outsider concerns. Almost everyone who studies abroad has bad moments, especially in the beginning. Homesickness, fear, loneliness, even anger can take hold of you. "I didn't even want to go eat because I'd have to order something, meaning I'd have to speak Russian," says Alex. "I just didn't want to deal with it."

Most importantly, have faith! All of the negative feelings are part of a greater experience. In fact, it's astounding how many people don't want to go home at the end of a study abroad experience. If you just stick with it, you'll look back and say, "I'm really a better person because of my experience."

Make it Your Home-Away-From Home
Once you know where you'll be staying, help yourself to feel at home. Establish a daily routine, find a favorite coffee shop or restaurant, and set up your room with your favorite books or videos, foods from home, and photos. Then, explore the whole city.

In the end, you'll only get out of your study abroad experience what you put into it. Sometimes the hard parts end up being the best. As Alex notes, "The challenge and the reward is realizing the difficulty and your own strength to get through it." Or as Laura explains, "The world is not 30 miles across. It's totally cool, man. Check it out."

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