Study abroad advice: 5 lessons from watching The Mandalorian

Studying abroad can almost feel like an adventure to a galaxy far far away. But hang tight because after binging on the hit series The Mandalorian, our eyes were opened to new perspectives on how to prepare to study abroad and survive!

Whether it is integrating into a new culture, making friends with locals or staying true to yourself, this show might give you a sense of how to maximise your study abroad experience without compromising your values.

Ready to unpack them?

Here are 5 important lessons you can learn from watching the Mandalorian as you embark on your upcoming overseas study journey!

5 life lessons from The Mandalorian for your study abroad adventure

1. Embrace the unfamiliar

Travelling abroad will undoubtedly expose you to many new experiences and unfamiliar locations. It’s just like the Mandalorian landing on a new planet from his Razor Crest starship.

When Mando visited Corvus, we get treated to the sights of a sprawling walled city amidst a forest. The fascination of what’s to come intermingled with fear and wonder is immediately apparent to us.

While you might feel like retreating to the familiar, why not take a page out of Din Djarin’s playbook of exploration and adventure?

Go around town (or the city) and start mixing around with the locals. Embrace the unfamiliar by travelling extensively around your new study destination. This is one proven strategy to overcome a study abroad culture shock.

If there’s a new campus event, sign up for it! If there’s a theatre play in the city, buy a ticket! If you get invited to a party, why not just go?

These experiences won’t just inject more fun into your lives; you can quickly immerse yourself into the local culture.

2. Celebrate diversity and learn from different cultures

Did you know that there are various other factions of Mandalorians?

When Din Djarin first met Bo Katan, they had many disagreements and almost came to arms. But despite coming from different origins, all Mandalorians still have mutual respect for one another and embrace their differences. This allowed them to become allies and work towards their goals and the greater good!

Pursuing university abroad means that you’re bound to meet and befriend people from all over the world and the same principle should be applied then.

Having friends from different cultures and backgrounds is something that’s meant to be celebrated. This is perhaps the best life lesson you will learn from studying abroad.

What’s more, you get to learn from each other and gain a better understanding of your peers.

3. Take care of yourself

In a strange way, this life lesson is reflected in the series in Din Djarin’s dedication to protecting Grogu, or ‘Baby Yoda’. At one point, he even abandons his mission altogether.

You could say that protecting Baby Yoda is an analogy of keeping your inner child and sense of wonder alive even as you go through the next stage of your life in university. Just because you have less time and more responsibilities, it doesn’t mean you have to completely let go of the things you enjoy.

At the same time, taking care of yourself while studying abroad can also look like nourishing yourself physically by eating well, socially by spending time with your friends, and emotionally by journaling regularly.

This is one of the many common challenges of studying abroad, but we are sure you can overcome them!

4. Remembering your roots

If there’s one thing Mando has never compromised as a Mandalorian, it’s his principles. Some of the many pillars that make Mandalorian culture what it is are their armour, weaponry, honour and duty - this is the Way after all!

Essentially, it’s about remembering your roots and where you came from.

This concept can also be applied in college life. With the many different characters you'll come across, it’s easy to be swayed by the opinions of others.

But never let peer pressure get in the way of your principles. If you find yourself at a crossroads, always remember your roots and the things you stand for.

5. Making friends is essential

While Din Djarin might be a powerhouse alone, he isn’t invincible and regularly gets into trouble. Thankfully, he always has friends and allies willing to give him a helping hand.

Just like Mando, you want to be constantly making friends throughout your study abroad adventure. This will help you tremendously during your time overseas.

However, to be a true friend, you also need to reciprocate! Advice for students studying abroad: be there for your new pals, especially during their times of need.

Whether that is helping them with their school work or even taking an extra shift in a part-time job, you want to build a network of true friends who will help you move forward in your goals.

Kickstart your overseas study journey

Just like how the entire season of The Mandalorian is filled with a spirit of adventure, that's what your university life should look like too. This is a meaningful series with important life lessons to learn from.

Now that you have some takeaways from The Mandalorian, why not apply them in your journey as a university student abroad?

If you’ve decided to study abroad but are not sure how to start, get advice from a study abroad expert who can help you.

With trained education counsellors who can guide you through every step of your journey, IDP can give you a hand, whether it’s choosing the right course, applying for it, or getting settled in your study destination.

When you’re ready, just get in touch for a counselling session. It’s free anyway! Enquire with us or hit the message button to drop us a question!