10 Steps to Make Anywhere Feel Like Home: Study Abroad Lessons 💌 

Happy International Women's Day!! 🦋 may we love + empower ourselves and the incredible women around us

LANGUAGE-Language-language “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

This resonated with me a lot. I did an exchange semester in Seoul last year. Here's some things I did to make it feel like home very quickly (and I still deeply miss living there): 1. Meet new people and make new friends! I'm talking other exchange students, but also the local students at your uni, your teachers, your roommate(s) if you have any, as well as other locals you meet along the way. I'm a bit of an introvert but surrounding myself with people and being socially proactive made a HUGE difference on how I felt and what I ended up experiencing. People make it feel like home very, very quickly. Don't forget to stay in touch with your friends and family back home as well. Some alone time is fine too, very necessary sometimes or very fun actually, but there's absolutely no need to get lonely. 2. Immerse yourself in the culture as much as possible! Studying the language and practicing with it, adjusting to social customs, trying many local foods, learning about the country's history and current political climate, the list goes on. Makes you a lot more accustomed to life there, gives you plenty of interesting topics to think or talk about, and really adds to your overall experience. 3. Explore the crap out of your area! For me, this was THE most fun thing to do, be it alone or with friends. Just figuring out how to get around is fun on its own, but knowing you'll find something new around literally every corner is something else... I was never short on serotonin and dopamine during my time in Seoul, let's just say that. Explore outside of the city too! And like Jade says, MARK OR PIN THINGS! There will be SO many places you want to see, so many restaurants you wanna try, it's way too much to do in just a few days or weeks. So mark them to save for later. Someday you'll find that that thing you've been meaning to check out is actually very close to your current location... makes your days a lot more spontaneous as well, because maybe you didn't plan to go there today, yet here you are. I'm emphasizing the marking and pinning because I didn't do this and I ended up missing a LOT of spots, which is just a bummer. 4. Decorate your living space! Of course you wanna go out more often than not, but don't ignore your room -- really make it yours for the time being. Take something with you from home so that you still feel connected, hang some photos or art, buy some plants that you like... sometimes you actually have to study at home or you might be sick in bed, so it really helps that your living space feels warm and welcoming and homey to you. There's lots more, but these are definitely the four main things imo.

Happy international women's day you gorgeous women out there 💛

doing a internship in idonesia (5 months) and traveling alone for the first time. But knowing you did it so many times makes me feel more sure about being on my own and meeting new people.

The idea of being alone does make me anxious but just knowing the experience, opportunities, memories, knowledge I would gain. It makes it worth while. Study abroad for my university will just be one of my best achievements ever😌.

This influencer is a great role model for anyone looking to make positive changes in their life, as they lead by example and inspire others to do the same.

I’ve really enjoyed seeing your university experience the past few years and I can’t recommend study abroad enough! I was lucky enough to do it three times throughout highschool/gap year/college thanks to scholarships and programs. I’m hoping to make a video series to show people how to research affordable opportunities to go abroad since it really is life changing and can be accessible if you know how to find resources. Thanks for sharing your experience as I think it’s inspired alot more people to consider it themselves

I’m so glad you made that video. I didn’t move to another country to study but I can relate with feeling overwhelmed in a big city. I’ve been living in a small village for 18 years and I miss fields, birds chirping and fresh air every day. But I know it’s going to get better :)) thank you for this video!

I also think patience is a big one- it’s difficult, but trying to not project something onto a space before you’ve arrived (eg. this space will be where I find peace, I’m gonna feel local right away, etc). Approaching it with open mindedness and acknowledging it will be difficult and unpredictable has in my experience allowed me some grace when I don’t click with a new place right away! It’s okay if you’re unhappy/stressed/etc- the point isn’t to escape life, it’s to live it somewhere new. 😊

Hi just came back from my study abroad early cause I simply could not settle there - even though I’d done a study abroad programme before. So just a lil reminder that it’s not always about your personal bravery. Sometimes it’s the place and that can’t be helped.

This is such an incredible video you made, reminding me of my exchange semester I had a couple of months ago. I was really happy to be abroad but also very stressed and overwhelmed. That's why I was feeling reluctant to go abroad again after coming back to my home country, but you gave me the courage to go out and explore again. I feel my heart is beating and wondering where should I go next! Thanks for sharing your lessons Jade :) Btw, I'm also a vegan in Seoul so I totally get the hardship of living as a vegan here. Wish there would be more vegan restaurants here for someday when you come back to Seoul.

Thank you for this video :) I just spent 3 month in Uganda for my second master thesis and especially the part in the end with the ability to live abroad depending on how strong your passport is was something I learned several times in the last 8 years during all my adventures. It is a huge privilage to be able to travel to almost every country in the worls with almost non existing visa issues.

Living away from home and having to adapt to the different scenarios gives us so much potential to overcome the challenges we face in our lives. It just makes us stronger and able to stand our ground. Brilliant job Jade for keeping this video clear and concise and full of such good advice! 👏 Really enjoyed!

As a uni student and non-native English speaker, I enjoy watching your videos your content is very interesting and informative. I also appreciate how you talk, I do struggle sometimes to understand but it is clear most of the time to my ears. Thanks for sharing your experience with this enthusiasm and friendly way, it motivates and helps a lot 😊😊😊😊😊

Eeep thank you!!! I'm moving to Costa Rica for a few months to teach English as a volunteer, and this really helps me feel a lot less scared to go

watching your videos feels like such a huge hug especially when you're actually studying abroad at the moment :) can't agree more ! and I think it really is important to take into account the overwhelming moments that a life abroad can bring; but the more we are conscious of them the more wisdom we will have to take pleasure in living the whole experience. once again, THANK you Jade for making us feeling less alone, more alive and certainly happier

Hi Jade, thank you so much for this! I recently got an offer for a summer school in the US (I live in China) and have been really really anxious about it because I’m going to be there alone for a whole month and have never done anything like this before. My teachers told me that this program will be super intense and challenging and I was v v upset about leaving home and stepping out of my comfort zone. This video definitely gave me a lot of confidence about it. Thank you so much😭😭

The more I watch your channel, the more I learn about my own self. You are like a magic to me. Thank you for doing this and I hope you keep sharing these gems of knowledge forever.

Hi Jade!🌟 Thank you so much for the video. My husband and I were forced to go and live in a country I had never thought of living in (because the war happened). Right now it is the only place we can afford living. It was a struggle for me to move here. It wasn't voluntary, I wasn't prepared. Of course, it was better for us, but still painful. Your video motivates me to integrate and try to view it as an adventure.

I agree. Preparation is so so important. Cost of living, living expenses, food, transportation, city life.. First time hearing about lingoda

Hello Jade! I've been in love with your videos for the past few months, and you inspire me so much! I've lived around the world my whole life, constantly starting at new schools and making new friends, and this video just made me so happy to see that someone as amazing as you discovered and appreciates the beauty of living abroad, and involving yourself in and learning about different cultures. I'm also so grateful that now you've made a video that could make others less nervous and feel more guided about living abroad! Again, thank you, and I hope you continue to cherish these experiences :D

I was feeling very homesick when watching and this helped me so much!

I've lived in 6 countries, so have already had quite a nomadic life, but I've always moved to new countries with my family, even for undergrad, so now that I'm about to move to South Africa by myself for at least the next 5 years I'm rather scared and this video is very much needed 😭

not planning on going abroad anytime soon (thx med school) but this is so so important and helpful even for just moving towns or states away in the US!

Your video is really comforting, I’m about to move away to study abroad in Melbourne and I’m really anxious so I’m glad you made this video to guide people like me along the way. 😊

Video 2 of sending all my love! Honestly, schools don't do enough on women's day ect. It is all about grades I may be moving to spain soon because of cost of living so that really helps, I may be taking a-levels there (ahhhhh) :) x

Can yu make another video and what you do when you feel unmotivated? Thank you so much for changing my outlook on life Jade

This video gave me a lot of ideas. I really like how large are your advices, it is easier to take them and apply them in a personal way in our lives. I wish you the very best in this semester, I hope you will be approaching the end of your degree with a peaceful mind :)

So lovely to watch before a gap year and then a move to London for uni. These tips are filled with love and consideration, thank you so much!

I agree with every aspect!! You're so young and already so wise, Jade 💖

thank you so much jade! im currently in my gap year moving to seoul in april and although it's only five weeks it will be my first time travelling anywhere without my family, so although im excited im also nervous. thank you for being such an inspiring person always, i dont think i could ever have taken this step without your videos

your videos about living abroad have really inspired me to just try it out too! I'm currently having the best time studying abroad in Madrid so thank you :)

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks a lot Miss Jade. Love you so much 💙💙...You've been such an inspiration. Please dont stop.🙏🌹💜

Thank you for this video! I'm moving to Spain for a semester abroad next year, and this is very useful since it's the first time I will be living abroad for more than a month. Beyond excited! :)

You are amazing Jade. I love how you are so open and know what you want. I so wish I had done this when I was younger and able to study and travel. If I was your mum I’d be so proud of you.

really interesting + insightful video for a student on their year abroad, thank you Jade! ✨

Thank you so so much, Jade. I’m moving to Australia in September for a year and already some anxiety is kicking in, as I’ve never been to Aus before. I’ll definitely come back to this video whenever I have a little worry. x

I needed this vid thank you so much ♡

youre my kind of girl for sure, thank you for such informed tips! i love solo travel content from other girls, godspeed girl!

It’s my dream to study and travel abroad once I’m in college, so thank you for all the tips Jade! I’ve loved following you throughout your journey and you’ve been a huge inspiration to me! I love your energy and you looks so glowy and beautiful! 🤍

So good to see you growing up your fan since your o level videos

Jade, I guess I'm one of the most irrelevant YT audiences as a late-20s male, non-English speaker, and computer programming learner(Python, SQL, etc). However, don't forget your small act of uploading videos like this can be a great inspiration for online people like me :) Your words also make me reminded of my previous 1-year experience in California. Thus I feel what you mean🙂 You didn't choose to follow the most traditional life stage, but instead, you gained an amazing perspective on human life in general. It can't be learned, can't be bought. That's why it's valuable even if feeling a bit behind compared to others. In the future, I believe you'll be able to utilize your gained experiences going back to your home country. Anyway, thank you for giving out such positive energy~!😎 p.s. 11:22 I'm sorry to hear my country couldn't offer you the best option since you're a vegan😅 Yes, my country is not ideal for vegans..!🤯

I am going to Vancouver in Summer for a 4 month research internship. I've been on vacation alone, but not THAT far away, so I'm kind of anxious about life there. The video was exactly, what I needed :D

Hi Jade!!! Thank you for bringing us all casual magic in our daily life

Thank you so much for your advice. 🥺 I'm going to travel to Australia next year to find a job while I stay at a friend's house. I'd never considered traveling there in my life before she moved there with her family. So I'm really doing everything that I need to travel there and seize this opportunity! I'm really nervous but excited at the same time. You truly are an amazing human being. Thank you again for sharing this valuable information. 💖

Thank you Jade. That was a really good video 😀 I am older, but can relate to much of what you are talking about 👍

Aw Jade I love this video!! I'm thinking of applying to Minerva, definitely going abroad no matter what! this will be so helpful!

Tomorrow is my bengali exam and I am deadly scared and frustrated, this video just fells like a medicine 💖 Thank you jade

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed. I’m doing an Erasmus exhange semester in Bilbao very soon and it will be the first time I’m abroad for that Long. This was super helpful! I’m so excited but also a little scared, but that’s okay, because I’m still doing it

Thank you so much for your advices 🌱❤️

Hi Jade 🤍 idk if you remember me (we’ve had a few interactions online over the years 🥰) but when you were in Seoul, I told you how watching your videos has inspired me to do the same and live there for a short while to understand and explore my culture more. Finally!! This summer I’m going to stay there for 2.5 months and although it’s not an extensive amount of time, I am excited (and scared and anxious 😅)!! The only time I went to Korea was 6 years ago and I only stayed for 12 days! Going to Korea for part of the summer has been a goal of mine for nearly 3 years, and I’m glad I’m finally taking a leap of faith and trusting that I am capable enough ❤ thanks for being an inspiration! I appreciate you 💐

watching this really affirms why I want to study abroad!! so many unique experiences!

I’m in Aberdeen for an internship and I really needed this , thanks jade ❤

Happy women's day, Jade!❤️

Jade You are the most amazing person on this earth❤❤

So excited ab this video!

Insighful Jade! As always I appreciate your videos so much. So much truth in it. Greetings from a Peruvian 🇵🇪 living en Japan

It was helpful since im moving this September inshallah to uk for the first time i was very intimidated n hesitant however now you encouraged me to boost my best and give it ashot❤️

i've moved to europe half a year ago to study, but i literally failed to make a good friend circle and community (i had a friend group but it broke down cuz other people went into a serious fight 😅) now i feel so lonely and sad, and it makes me really hard to open up and be friendly to people ...

💞💞💞thank you jade i love your videos

I really think you could set up a program where you just teach us about life and culture in other countries!! Half tourism but also half education! It would really help connect people from different countries and show we're just all humans living on the same planet!!!

Hi Jade I absolutely love your videos! I was wondering if you could do a video on the things to pack when going on exchange. Much love

I'm going to live abroad for 3months so this video is very needed right now for me Thank youu

Hi Jade, I loved your video. Could you pls make 1 video on what important things to take in new places and another video on how to start a RU-vid channel, e.g., what things do I need to know/learn (and how) to start a RU-vid channel?

i'm so proud of youu and this communitiy, i remember watching your channel from back when i was doing my GCSEs and you helped me smash them and then A Levels and then I got onto my dream uni course. Now i'm about to do a year long internship in Germany🎉✨❤❤can't wait to keep girlbossing together 💪💪

We admire your effort and hard work on this channel. God bless you.

Very helpful ❤❤. Thank you dear!

Hey Jade! Would you be able to share a template of your place notion pages like the Berlin one you show in this video? Been wanting to have that kind of page for my year in industry next year and yours looks perfect! Thanks so much, love your content, you help me so much and make me feel inspired and less alone xxx

Hi Jade. I'm sure you don't remember my name but you attended an Empowered by Vee event and spoke to me literally on face-time XD. I didn't get the chance to speak to you properly then but i just wanted to let you know that your videos have changed my perspective and mindset about my academic career. I'm only 14 and in year 10. Previously I've suffered a lot from academic pressure mostly because i am in a social environment flooded by the 'perfect' students. But as i said, your videos have helped me get myself together and I'm actually enjoying my studying more. You have inspired me to change my path and hopefully I'll manage to achieve the grades i'm aiming for. Thank you so much for your guidance through not only videos but your book (LOVE IT BTW), and i hope you are able to see this message. You are incredible and you have really changed my life as a student, I can't wait to meet you one day! Keep doing what you're doing x - Zehna Ahmad

i just came across your channel and idk what is it about you, i just wanna keep listening to you talk. omg is this what love is haha

Thank you jadeee

I adore youre videos and they make me so focused on learning and studying. I actally have problem staying focused and i could bearly study sometimes until i saw youre videos. somehow youre voice and the way you talk and how you help us to study just made me study sometimes up to 2hours a day witch for me is unbelivable. Please dont stop making videos and i just cant belive how i would survive school without you

Happy International Women’s Day beautiful inspirational empowering Jade ✨🙌🏻✨

I am doing the Lingoda language Sprint for French right now!

On monday its gonna be the first day of my O'levels soo yeah I am kinda excited

Thank you Jade! This means a lot to me, especially I flew all the way from the other side of the earth to where I am right now for university. Studying for a degree in a second language is never easy and it takes away time to actually explore the city, but your video has motivated me so much to keep pushing and unleash my full potential. Hope life will continue to be joyful and fulfilling for you and your loved ones :)

Yes! I have traveled quite a bit myself and definitely agree with these points, especially 'using the first month to explore'.❣ Even if it's a short term stay using the first few days as a way to just wonder and get immersed in a new culture really sets the tone for the trip and allows you to go beyond your ideals list, creating space to experience something truly new.

your videos make me want be traveling right now so badly & i love the cinematography

You are my inspiration

BRILLIANT GIRL

I found out today that I get to go on exchange in Amsterdam next semester so this literally came at the perfect time 🥹🫶

idk if you're every going to read thus but I'm moving to a new city for my masters, suoer anxious but this video reassured me that I'll be okay 💓

Happy to see you again Jade 🤗

thakn you! this has helped me so much. it would be very helpful if you would like to make a video about how to research the country you're planning to go to :). I am kind of struggling with that right now. But this was very helpful thank you :))

I feel like almost all of this is relevant even if you do move inside of your country. I’ve moved 3 times in the past 2 years and this last move has been…messy so far😅 I’ll try to implement some of these, it’s been a while since I’ve moved but better late than never I guess😅 Thank you for the wonderful video ☺️

So interesting video, thank you 💙💛

AMAZING first I really mess you and your video your vibes I am soo happy this video with these vibes made me go out of my slow and boring days I am so excited now to live tomorrow with available energy 😆😆 your SMILE reminds me with lovely memories 😍😁

Hi, I am finishing high school in a few months and I applied for a scholarship in Hungary. It's not completely certain that I will go but it is my wish to go. I have fears about going to a country to study abroad especially because I have never been to another country besides my own. It's actually a hard thing for me to adapt new places, friends, etc. Even so, I want to go and try my chance there. I hope I can be courageous enough to do things I want. Also thank you for your video, it really helped a lot.💗💗

Exactly the video I was searching 💗thank you jade ❤️

Google maps!!! So underrated.

what a cute headscarf!

happy women's dayyy

I think one of the worst feelings is not even living abroad, but moving from your hometown and never really feeling like you're home until you are back. I've been living in this city for university for about 4 years now (sigh) and I still doesn't feel this is the place I'm the most happy or grateful to be at. I don't get any sense of belonging but I guess I never really tried to engage with this city or explore it more deeply outside of the university campus or the mall because it always felt like the opposite of happiness. But this video motivated me to try and make it at least feel less mentally demanding to live since I still have one more year of college ahead :').

I really love the way you talk about life in general and also the passion you put into your speeches… you’re a source of inspiration! Thank you a lot🫶🏻

This was so helpful as I’m planning to move abroad soon! I have lived abroad before a few times and the best way for me to feel like home is to take looong walks around the city. When I lived in Poland, I saw places on these walks that even my friends who were locals hadn’t visited! Knowing the area made me feel confident and like I belonged there. Also, working up the courage to order coffee in Polish :D

Ahh been looking forward to a new video!! ❤

love your videos❤

Random question: would you prefer if your degree was 1 year in each country istead of 1 semester? And perhaps you could choose which four countries within the 7 options minerva offers

Jade THANK YOU so much! I’m moving to Sydney this month, finally achieving my life dream! I’m doing research and making a huge effort to step out of my comfort zone. It’s very hard and challenging and I’m scared of feeling homesick and getting lost. Anyway any suggestions are welcome ahaha ❤ Ps. What’s the best thing you did in Sydney that you highly recommend?