Studying abroad is one of the most exciting decisions a student can make. New environments, new opportunities, and a strong sense of independence. At SBS Swiss Business School Madrid, we see this energy every year.

But we also know the experience is not only academic. It is deeply personal and, at times, more challenging than expected. 

That is why we collaborated with Therapy in Barcelona, a group psychology practice specializing in supporting international students and professionals, to explore this more openly

The part of studying abroad nobody talks about

The first weeks tend to feel exciting. Everything is new and full of possibilities. You are exploring, meeting people, and settling into a new life.

But for some students, there comes a point a few months in when something starts to shift. 

The novelty can fade slightly, and things that felt easy at the beginning may start to take more effort. You might find yourself missing specific parts of home: your routines, your people, or simply how familiar everything used to feel. What once felt exciting can, at times, feel a bit heavier. 

Not everyone experiences this in the same way, and for many, it is temporary. But when it does happen, it can feel unexpected, especially if no one has spoken about it before. 

The important thing to keep in mind is that this is a normal part of adjusting, not a sign that something has gone wrong. With time, familiarity, and the right support, it tends to ease.

Understanding the emotional adjustment

What many students do not realize is that moving abroad is not just a physical change. It is a psychological one as well.

A useful way to understand it is through the idea of migratory grief. Even when the move is positive, you are still leaving behind people, places, and parts of your identity. That sense of loss is real, and it deserves to be recognized.

It does not mean something has gone wrong. It means you are adjusting to a significant change, and that takes time.

Why some students struggle in silence

Studying abroad comes with a strong expectation. It is supposed to be a wonderful experience, and that message is everywhere: in photos, in conversations, in the way people ask about it.

Because of that pressure, many students keep what they are feeling to themselves. The internal thoughts tend to sound familiar: “I chose this, so I should be fine,”  or  “everyone else seems to be enjoying it more than I am.”

Research reflects this pattern. International students are more likely to experience anxiety and depressive symptoms, while being less likely to ask for support. The result is that the experience can feel isolating, even when it does not have to be.

If any of this sounds familiar, it is worth knowing that what you are going through is far more common than it seems from the outside.

How to make the experience feel more manageable

The adjustment is real, but it is manageable. A few things can make a meaningful difference:

• • Anchor yourself with one consistent routine. It does not have to be complicated. A regular morning, a weekly gym session, or a call with someone you trust can create a sense of stability when everything else feels unfamiliar.
  • Stay connected to home, but in a way that supports you. One meaningful conversation is often more helpful than hours scrolling through social media or news from back home.
  • Get to know your new environment. Explore the city, learn the unwritten social rules, get comfortable with the culture around you. The more comfortable you feel in your environment, the less overwhelming it becomes.
  • Name what you are feeling. Sitting with difficult emotions in silence tends to make them heavier. Acknowledging them, even just to yourself, can take some of that weight off. 
  • Ask for support sooner rather than later. Waiting until things feel unmanageable makes it harder. Reaching out early, whether to a friend or a professional, can make a real difference.

Thanks for reading along with us, we’ll see you in the next post!