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Best Ways to Get Help Without Feeling Bad While Studying Abroad

Best Ways to Get Help Without Feeling Bad While Studying Abroad

As much as exciting the idea of studying abroad sounds, it comes with certain challenges. Studying in a foreign country, familiarizing yourself with the foreign culture, and making new friends is not that easy how it seems. Some people find it difficult to blend in the new culture while others miss their family and friends back home.

Homesickness is common in students who travel abroad for studies. You are not used to being around new friends, eating different food, and hanging out with people who come from different cultures. That is when you realize you need help blending in with the locals and adapting to the new culture.

Why is it Hard to Ask for Help?

Asking for help is probably the last thing on your mind, especially if you are an introvert. You will rather trouble your mind and make yourself sick than asking for someone’s help. This is because you don’t want to be a burden on people.

Maybe, your first experience with the person you went to ask for help didn’t go that well. Maybe, you do not like to be dependent on others.

There are many factors that discourage you from asking for help. Even if it is your friend or roommate, you won’t feel like burdening them with your problems. As we said before, living in a new atmosphere can be quite challenging for people.

There are times when you will need locals’ help. The question is how do you ask for the favour without sounding desperate? Most importantly, how do you seek help without feeling bad? Let’s check out some useful tips.

Get Over the Fear of Being Judged or Mocked

The number one reason why people do not ask for help is an embarrassment. Sometimes, people fear that their issues will be belittled. That’s where you are wrong. If you are embarrassed about your problem, you will never be able to solve it. There are people who are ready to help you with your problems. But, you never tell them because you are scared of being judged and mocked.

What if my friend laughs at me? What if they don’t even consider it a problem? What if they judge me? What if they refuse to help me?

People who are scared of rejections and judgments never form a good connection with their peers, let alone asking them for help. Perhaps, your teachers and friends will help you get over the tension. You cannot know how people will react to your problems until you share it with them. If you still fear rejection, it is high time you got over it.

Do Your Homework First

It is quite challenging for students to get help from their new friends or teachers. To make it easier, write down your objectives. Be confident when you speak. Be clear with your words.

Let’s say you need help with certain school projects. Before you ask your friend or teacher for help, note down the project details. List all the steps needed to execute a particular task. This will allow you to figure out the resources or the steps you need help with.

Be Specific When Asking for a Favor

It doesn’t feel awkward when you mention all the conditions when asking for help. Let’s say you got homework from your science teacher. You got stuck somewhere in the middle of the project and plan on seeking help from your peers. But, you also have to complete the homework within the given deadline. Here’s how you must ask for a favour.

What You Need Help With: First things first, let the person know what exactly you need help with. In the above example, you need help with your science project. Mention clearly which part of the project you couldn’t understand.

When You Need it: As mentioned before, you might have a certain deadline before which you need to get the problem fixed. Request your friend to help you with the project before the deadline. In simple terms, mention the date you need the project done.

Why You Need it: State the reasons why you couldn’t solve the problem on your own. Let the person know why you felt the need for asking for help.

These three steps will impress the person and encourage them to give you a hand at your projects or other work.

Ask Politely

You don’t want your request to sound like an order. For example, you can’t go and ask the person to solve a certain problem for you. It will sound rude. Chances are they will refuse to help you. With that being said, you should be polite when asking for help. Use polite words and phrases like:

Please

I’ll be grateful to you

It would mean a lot

Your help will save my day

These words will leave a great impression on the person. There’s a high chance they will help you out.

Be Ready to Return the Favor

Students who have a habit of helping others do not find it difficult to get help when needed. Many people will be willing to help you if you offer support to others. It doesn’t feel bad to ask for help when you have helped someone before.

Even if you have never got a chance to help others, be open to help. Show the person how you intend to support them should they need any kind of assistance.

Ask for Recommendations

Let’s say you need help with the medical project. You are pretty certain that your roommates or your friends won’t be able to help you. But, there is a chance they know someone who could assist you. Perhaps, one of your roommates is friends with a biology student. Maybe, someone from your group has a doctor in their family circle.

The point is you should ask for recommendations if the person is unable to help you. Perhaps, they’ll suggest some expert or take you to their friends who can offer support.

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