It can be extremely nerve wracking arriving in a strange country when you don't know anyone there. Not surprisingly a lot of people who have arranged to study abroad find the first few days a somewhat strange experience - after all, you've gone from a familiar place with people you know and see every day, to somewhere you have never been before which is filled with strangers!

That's why it pays to get over your initial and understandable shyness as soon after you arrive as possible, and remind yourself that there are probably other people who are new to your course as well, not to mention the college or school as a whole.

Many schools offer Home Stay accommodation placement for the first few weeks of your stay. Although not all home stay providers are equal, they offer room rental within a family situations often with breakfast and laundry services. Furthermore they spend time explaining Australian cultural differences, where to find services such as post office, transport and so on. The better home stay providers all have undergone police checks and offer a comfortable introduction to your new country. Many students arrive with 2-4 weeks of Home Stay before they venture out and find accommodation for themselves, often sharing with other students in their college.

Of course you may have gone abroad with some friends who have decided to study the same course as you are. This has its benefits, namely in that you will know each other and there is safety in numbers in this respect, but it can also be very isolating if you don't make the effort to break out of your little group and start meeting other people.

There are a lot of benefits to meeting new people while you are studying abroad, particularly if you meet people who are native to the country and area you are staying in. No matter how well you think you know the area, you will never know it as well as a resident will, and if you get to know plenty of locals you will get to see the sights that the guidebooks often leave out.

This is where it's worth remembering that studying abroad isn't just about the course you are on - it's also about experiencing a whole new lifestyle, together with getting to know the people that live that lifestyle every day of their lives. Getting friendly with the locals is the best way to find out what it's really like to live in that part of the world, and it will give you some wonderful memories to take back home with you.

If you are visiting on your own, then it's important not to be too shy because it could lead to you missing out on a lot of opportunities to find out all you can about a different country. Try and get to know as many people as you can who are taking the same course as you, and don't be afraid to join in conversations or sit at a table with people you don't know at lunch times. It's a great way to get to meet new people and you'll often find you are invited to parties or evenings out where you can meet more of your fellow students.

It's easy to feel intimidated when you first arrive in a foreign country, especially if you are on your own and not part of a group, however small that group might be. But the best antidote to that feeling is to gather up your courage and get stuck in with saying hi to people - it's a great way to start enjoying yourself!

Academia International is a leading international college providing cooking courses, hospitality management training, hairdressing courses, and beauty courses. For a free brochure please visit Australia Colleges. http://www.academia21.com/