Student blogs

In Stockholm, I am approximately 8,557 km away from my parents. As I have attended schools in different countries, my friends are also scattered all over the world. Some are as far as 9631 km away and luckily some are as close as 1838 km away here in Europe. How can you keep in touch with everyone?

In this blog post, I plan to share some simple tips on staying connected while studying abroad. If you are considering studying in KI or you’re awaiting your results, perhaps these tips can help you just a little bit.

1. When should we call?

In this digital age, the most fortunate thing we have is the ability to do video and voice calls. With just one button, I can hear my friend tell me about their day or listen to my parents scold me for not eating well. However, with the hustle and bustle of the Master’s programme, I have to make sure to set out time in my schedule. My standard is at least once a month with friends and at least once a week with my parents so do choose whatever works best for you.

The most difficult thing is to consider different time zones, especially for group calls. One simple and obvious solution I have is to keep all the world clocks on my phone for easy access. Whenever I have a three way call across three different time zones, I state explicitly what each time is for each person! “Are you guys free to call next Friday 9PM SGT, 8AM EST and 2PM Stockholm time?”

2. Or just call!

Sometimes not all calls need to be strategically planned. If you know about the MBTI test, my personality is a P (which does not mean “Planner” by the way). So, I welcome the impromptu calls and will probably call my friends spontaneously too. Of course, try to be considerate of time zones and general work/school schedules. If the call doesn’t go through immediately, that’s fine. Text and try another time.

3. Try online activities

Calls do not have to be limited to a simple conversation. My college dormmates and I used to have Christmas parties every year. In 2024, we decided to bring back this Christmas party but virtually! We created 2024 year wrapped slides to share with everyone some highlights of our year. To make things fun, I created mini vlogs to show them my new life here in Stockholm and KI. I have also watched movies and TV shows with other friends using Discord and other programmes. A TV show, for example, is perfect for keeping a regular call schedule with your friend.

Alternatively, consider activities that you can do independently in parallel. Maybe you guys are watching the same series at the same time or reading the same book. You can have discussion and continue in your shared hobbies and interests.

4. Write to your friends and family

One surprising new activity I have been trying recently is to write to my friends. While digital activities are both easy and free, if you would like to do something a little more then consider sending a postcard or writing a letter. If you don’t let them know ahead of time, then it can come as a nice little surprise and even act as a type of souvenir. Personally, these physical memories stay with me for a long time because I love to re-read them or put them in a scrapbook.

5. If you can, visit them

Over the Christmas break, I was unable to travel home because it was too far for the two weeks we were given. Luckily, my close friend is also doing her Master’s in Switzerland. So I took a short flight over to spend Christmas and New Year’s with her. Although I wasn’t physically in Jamaica, I immediately felt a sense of comfort and relaxation. Ultimately, the best way to stay connected is to be together in the same physical space. This is the most fulfilling yet difficult to achieve tip I have included in this post. However, if this opportunity ever presents itself to you, take it and enjoy it.

6. Invoke memories of your friends

The final simple but cheesy way I connect with my friends is to think of them. It could be about anything. Even if they are meaningless to another person, they mean something to you and that friend or family. Whenever I hear their favourite song, a meme we used to laugh at together, a topic we loved to discuss, foods that they love to eat and more, I think of them. Then, I tell them:

“I thought of you”

When you are studying abroad, you can occasionally feel isolated from the everyday lives of the people who were in such close proximity to you. A call, scheduled time, sharing life, letters and text messages all require effort from yourself and your family and friends. Although you do not have the advantage of physical distance, I believe in the power of heart and sincerity.