5 joys of being single when studying abroad

16 Apr 2018

Finding a relationship is often people’s second highest priority while at university, after securing that top degree.

It’s easy to get swept up in the romantic image of a relationship when every college film and song on the radio is about love… but being single when studying abroad can be great.

Just imagine sprawling out in your bed every night, having free rein to do whatever you want and never having to ask ‘but what do you want to eat?’

Here are our top reasons why being single when studying abroad can be the best thing ever…

1) You have the freedom to be yourself

So you are free from your parents’ watchful eye, you’ve left all your school friends at home, and you have a chance to reinvent yourself.

For the first time ever, you have total freedom to be who you want to be. Fancy trying out for that new sports team? Go for it! Interested in learning an instrument? Sure! Want to immerse yourself in the uni nightlife? Why not?!

When you’re single, the only person you have to please is yourself. You don’t have anyone else’s schedule to fit around or anyone’s ideas for you to uphold. This allows you to embrace all the things you’ve always wanted to do.

Rather than spending time Skyping your partner who’s still at home, or trying to impress your new crush on campus, you can be who you’re destined to be.

2) You can concentrate on what matters to you

Being single means you can really invest your energy into being the best version of yourself you can be.

Rather than working to keep a relationship steady, you can work on yourself: whether that’s a new skill, a new look, or even a new perspective.

Got an essay you need to ace? You can spend your time working on it. Have a job interview coming up? Invest your time preparing for it. You don’t have anyone moaning at you for not spending enough time with them and can concentrate on yourself guilt-free.

You’d hope your partner would give you the time to focus on things that matter to you during a relationship, but being single means you don’t have to justify yourself or feel guilty – you can unapologetically do what you need to do.

3) You’ll make way more friends when you’re single

You’re way more likely to meet more people and make more friends if you are single. Rather than spending nights cuddled up with your sweetheart, you’ll be out on the town meeting new buddies and making new memories.

It’s helpful to have lots of friends when studying abroad as your support network is likely to be in a different timezone. But by meeting lots of people, you can surround yourself with new friends who will show you different ways of thinking and be there for you when you need them.

While not every couple is the stay-at-home type, being single definitely motivates you to get out there and make new connections.

Plus we all know friends are forever, but relationships are (sometimes) temporary. You’ll have pals all over the world you can go and visit even after you are back at home.

4) You have your own space, all the time

Being in a relationship often means sharing a bed, room or apartment. That means you have to deal with each other’s dirty laundry, washing up wars, and God forbid they steal the bedcovers.

But, if you’re single, all these problems go away. You only have to do laundry when it suits you, and you can sprawl about in the bed… Every. Single. Night. Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it?

Getting used to international student life can be tiring and stressful enough as it is. Throw not even being able to go back to your own space into the mix and everything gets a whole lot more complicated.

Obviously, not all relationships mean you’re sharing the same living quarters, but even the extra mental space being single gives you can be really helpful while adjusting to your new life.

5) You can meet all the international hotties

Last but not least in the joys of being single are all the international hotties you can hang out with when you’re a free agent.

Universities are magnets for interesting and intelligent people from all over the world, so you’re bound to find someone who floats your boat. You already have something in common with your campus crush, making it easy enough to strike up a conversation.

Whether you’re looking for a fun fling or just some eye candy in the library, being single is a free pass to get your flirt on.