Studying abroad, yay or nay?

Many people express their desire to study abroad under so many different reasons; the quality, the prestige, the travel, the cool experience, etc. Whatever reasons you could think of, make sure you know what you're signing yourself into, because it will definitely won't be all heaven. It won't be all hell as well, of course, but anticipation and preparation are your safe bet. Some things that might help you to decide whether studying abroad is your things or not:

1. Pick the right university for you. Just because all of your friends go to A university, doesn't mean you have to go there. Make sure they are credible, not just some institution built in someone's garage. 
2. Pick the right subject for you. I chose a subject that I think is still relevant to my previous study, and I can't be more wrong. I was struggling so hard to pass and was on the verge of giving up (which I luckily wasn't. yeay!). Make sure you conduct enough research to find out which subject that is suitable for your purpose.
3. Find an place that you can afford of. If you are eyeing a very expensive university (yes, they can be very expensive), find out whether they offer a scholarship. Even if you could get a scholarship for your tuition fee, you have to consider the living cost as well. Don't choose a place that will make you starve half death or force you to work like a slave to pay for all your living cost. Be sensible.
4. Prepare all your documents in advance. Trust me, all these documents can be a pain. Never arrange everything at the last minute, since there are so many tiny litle details that you need to do, and your admission plus your visa depend on it.
5. Expect a culture shock. There are so many things that might shock you; the people, the food, the habit, the weather, the system, the language, you name it. If adjusting is not your strength, you might want to reconsider. Seriously.
6. Expect feeling homesick. The after effect of the culture shock is homesick. No matter what people say, home is always the best. You might not feel it now, but once you're away for a long time, home doesn't look that bad anymore. Homesick can pass, but for some people, it can eat you inside out and can affect your stress level and eventually affect your study. Preparation will help you to manage it.
7. Expect the unexpected. No matter how well you prepare, something always comes up. Brace and prepare yourself for an adventure, and treat every misfortunate events as lessons. Then your life will be a series of unforgettable and valuable adventure.
8. Travel and make friends. These two things will help you to survive, big time. One of the sources for stress is loneliness. So, find an activity that you could join with, and meet new people. Go places, and see how lucky you are to be there in the first place.