things that international students always say

7 things that international students always say

Your time studying abroad will be unique to you – and that’s how it should be! But that said, there are some typical phrases you’ll often hear from international students. How many of these have you heard recently?…

1. ‘That food looks weird. I HAVE try it’
No matter how strange that popular local dish looks, you’re still going to try it, aren’t you? You just can’t help yourself. So pick up your fork and get ready to use that other popular international student phrase: ‘Mmm, that’s actually nicer than I expected…’

See our student ‘taste tests’ of Chinese street food, British dishes and classic food from the USA.

2. ‘Um…I think I might be lost’
You checked your phone, your guidebook, your streetmap…so why is it that you haven’t a clue where you are? You can’t even see any street signs! There’s nothing else for it – it’s time to practice your language skills by asking a local for directions. Just remember – it’s all part of the adventure.

Get yourself a decent map app – preferably a free one. See our list of 10 of the best free apps for students.

3. ‘Everybody smile for the camera!’
Seriously, don’t you have enough photos of your classmates grinning in front of some random landmark? ‘No, I don’t have enough!’, we hear you say. And you’re right – you can never have too many. So keep snapping.

Read our 6 tips for taking photos like a pro.

4. ‘This place drives me crazy – but I love it’
That’s the thing about being in a new country – one moment everything from the bus system to the language is driving you nuts, the next, you truly wouldn’t be anywhere else. It’s OK to have these mixed emotions – they’re all part of the study abroad experience. Just remember that whether it’s a good day or a bad one, you’re always learning and growing.

Read our tips on 7 ways to beat homesickness.

5. ‘I have no idea what that person just said’
You’re chatting to a local and feeling pretty confident, when suddenly it’s like you’ve been beamed to Mars.
Why? Because they’ve used a random idiom you’ve never heard of. Don’t let it knock your confidence – colloquialisms are the curveballs of every language. And by the end of the year, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve learned.

See our lists of weird English idioms and popular American idioms.

6. ‘Has it really been a year already? It feels like a week’
Time flies – if only someone could invent a magic clock to slow it down. Well until they do, remember to savour your study abroad experience. Make friends from around the world, visit new places and try new things. Don’t let this time go to waste. 

Read our tips on how to make the most of your study abroad year.

7. ‘Where can I study next?’
So you’ve caught the study abroad bug, have you? We have to warn you, it’s probably incurable – the only antidote is to start thinking about your next adventure. So grab a map and get planning…

Find out where you can study next.