Studying Abroad: Do You Reckon Language is Your Toughest Opponent? Nope.

When heaps of people think about heading overseas for study, there's often a little voice in their head asking, "Am I really cut out for this?"

We worry our language skills aren't up to scratch, or that we're not outgoing enough, fearing we'll wither away like a transplanted plant in unfamiliar soil. We stand on the shore, gazing at the vast ocean of overseas study, both longing for it and fearing it, always hesitant to take the plunge.

But what if I told you that whether you nail your overseas studies or not is never truly about your English proficiency, but something else entirely?

Studying Abroad is Like Learning to Swim: It's Not About Your Technique, It's About Taking the Plunge

Imagine this: you're keen to learn how to swim in the ocean.

You can memorise every swimming textbook until you know it backwards, and perfect your freestyle and breaststroke strokes on dry land. But if you don't dare to get into the water, you'll never truly learn.

Overseas study is that ocean, and language proficiency is simply your swimming technique.

The people truly 'unsuited' for overseas study aren't those whose 'swimming technique' isn't polished, but those who stand on the shore, never willing to get wet. They're scared of the icy water (culture shock), worried their swimming style looks daggy (fear of embarrassment), or they simply don't know why they're even getting in the water (unclear goals).

They stay on the comfy beach, watching others ride the waves, ultimately learning nothing and heading home covered in sand.

Those who truly come back richer for the experience are the ones who bravely take the plunge. They might swallow some water (say the wrong thing) or get dumped by a wave (encounter difficulties), but it's through those repeated floundering attempts that they feel the water's buoyancy, learn to dance with the waves, and eventually discover the vibrant new world beneath the surface.

So, the core of the problem shifts. It's not 'Am I good enough?' but 'Do I dare to take the plunge?'

How to Transform from a 'Shore-Bound Observer' into a 'Courageous Swimmer'?

Rather than rattling off a stack of 'unsuited for overseas study' negative labels, let's take a squiz at how a courageous 'swimmer' thinks.

1. Embrace the Waves, Not the Water Temp

People on the shore will gripe: "The water's too cold! The waves are too big! It's nothing like our backyard pool!" They reckon toilets overseas are grubby, the food's not what they're used to, and people's habits are just plain weird.

But the swimmer understands: This is just how the ocean is.

They don't expect the ocean to change for them; instead, they learn to adapt to its rhythm. If safety is an issue, they learn to protect themselves. If the food's not their cup of tea, they head to an Asian grocery store and cook for themselves. They know that 'when in Rome' isn't about giving in, but the first lesson in thriving in a new environment. Respect the rules of this ocean, and you'll truly enjoy it.

2. Get Moving First, Worry About Style Later

Heaps of people are too scared to speak a foreign language, just like they're afraid their swimming style isn't up to scratch and they'll be laughed at. We always want to wait until our grammar and pronunciation are perfect before opening our mouths, and the result is we end up being 'invisible' in class for an entire semester.

Take a squiz at those mates from South America – even if their grammar is all over the shop, they still confidently speak up and make themselves heard. They're like people who've just jumped in the water; they don't care about technique; they just paddle like mad. And the outcome? They make the fastest progress.

Remember, in the learning zone, making mistakes isn't shameful; it's the only path to growth. Your goal isn't to swim like an Olympic gold medalist on day one, but to simply get moving and not sink.

If you're genuinely scared to speak up, why not grab a 'swim ring' first? For instance, a chat app like Lingogram. Its built-in AI real-time translation can help you muster the courage to chat with people from all corners of the globe. It can help you get over your fear of communication, and once you build up your confidence, you can slowly let go of the 'swim ring' and swim further on your own.

3. Know Which Destination You're Swimming Towards

Some people head overseas to study just because 'everyone else is doing it' or 'they want to get good at English.' That's like someone jumping into the ocean without knowing where they're swimming to. They'll easily flounder around on the spot, feel lost, and eventually, exhausted, crawl back to shore.

A clever swimmer knows their goal before getting in the water.

• "I want to master English so I can understand the latest scientific papers."
• "I want to experience different cultures to break free from my own thought patterns."
• "I want to get this degree so I can enter a specific industry when I get back home."

A clear goal is your lighthouse in the vast ocean. It gives you the drive to keep going when you hit choppy waters and lets you know that everything you do is moving you towards that dream destination.

You're Not 'Unsuited', You Just Need to Make a 'Decision'

At the end of the day, there's no one naturally 'suited' or 'unsuited' for overseas study.

Overseas study isn't a qualification exam; it's an invitation to reshape yourself. Its biggest perk is giving you a chance to smash all those negative assumptions you've held about yourself, and discover a stronger, more flexible you that you didn't even know existed.

So, stop asking yourself, 'Am I suitable?' Instead, ask yourself: 'What kind of person do I want to become?'

If you're itching for a change and keen to see a wider world, then don't hesitate any longer.

That ocean is waiting for you.