Surviving abroad – tips for the first few weeks in a new city


The moment of realization

… and suddenly I’m standing there with my far too heavy suitcases, in my new four walls that will now be my home for quite a while. For everyone who has moved or will move abroad, this moment comes, the moment when it suddenly clicks: there I was on the evening of my arrival in Oslo, standing in my new room, the unopened suitcases still next to me, all alone and without a plan how to make this plain room my home. And then it clicked, I realized that this was just the beginning and I had no idea where to buy groceries, how to get from A to B, and how to settle in as quickly as possible to make this place my little second home. So all these question marks were in my head and I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a little bit of desperation and fear in there too. 

The first few weeks in a new city are always exciting, with both joy and anxiety, but I mastered this milestone well and was able to settle in record time. After just a few weeks, the streets of the city felt familiar and the apartment homely. I was able to gather some helpful tips that could also help you to make the start of your semester abroad as stress-free as possible and to settle in quickly. 

Exploring the city – and not just with Google Maps 

I have to admit that you are completely lost without Google Maps especially the first time you need it the most, but I can highly recommend just walking around and consciously discovering the surroundings. So take your time to walk through one or the other neighborhoods and observe where there are supermarkets, cute cafes, or shopping stores. 

Organize important apps in advance 

One thing that helped me a lot not to get lost in the chaos and organization was definitely that I took care of apps such as those for public transport in advance and thus also dealt with this topic in advance. You should also check your banking apps and phone providers beforehand to see if they still work or if you need to make any changes. 

Create a weekly schedule – for more structure and less homesickness 

Especially in the beginning, it helped me a lot to create little routines. I planned my first few weeks with fixed days for certain things: for example, organizing university on Mondays, discovering a new café on Wednesdays, and going on a day trip on Saturdays. This way you avoid starting the week and the days without a plan and feeling lost. Nevertheless, spontaneity is also very important, always keep an open mind if friends make plans and try to take as much as possible with you. 

Make contacts – even if it takes effort 

The first few days are the best time to get to know new people, but there are also many chances after that! Just make sure to go to the welcome events at your university, join Erasmus groups such as ESN, and take part in events. Be open and just talk to people, even if it takes some effort, you will quickly realize that the Erasmus bubble is very open and most people are just happy to be approached, as we are all in the same situation. 

Creating a comfort zone 

This was one of the most important things for me to settle in quickly and, above all, to feel comfortable in my new surroundings. Because a piece of home or a piece of familiarity in the great chaos of the unknown can work wonders. Creating a comfort zone can start with decorating the room with pictures and cozy details such as candles, fairy lights, or flowers, but it can also be a playlist with favorite songs that you associate with home. But you should also not neglect the small routines that you like to do at home and actively take time for yourself to do what is good for you, which can be reading, journaling, or other hobbies. Such small things can make a big difference in keeping homesickness away. 

After my first few weeks… 

I can now find my way to the supermarket without Google Maps, know where to get the best cinnamon buns, and love to spend a relaxing afternoon in my own four walls, pursuing my hobbies just like at home. The beginning was chaotic and overwhelming and a lot of activities, but that’s what makes it so special in the end. 

If you’re just starting on your adventure: be patient with yourself, try new things, and above all – enjoy the experience.

See you in the next chapter of my „Study Abroad Diary“ and greetings from Oslo!