The Truths of Being an International Student: Schiller Student Mária Nyolcas Book

At Schiller International University, we’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our students—both inside and outside the classroom. One of our own, Mária Nyolcas, a third-year BS in Computer Science student at our Madrid campus, has channeled her international student experience into something truly meaningful: a powerful new book titled The Truths of Being an International Student: Adapting, Surviving, Thriving.

Originally from Budapest, Hungary, Mária offers a deeply personal and refreshingly honest look at what it really means to study abroad—the culture shocks, the identity shifts, the small wins, and the uncertainty that comes with stepping into the unknown. In the chapter excerpted below, "Are You Ready? Unveiling the Concept of Readiness for International Students," she shares what she learned when things didn’t go as planned—and how that very lack of “readiness” helped shape who she is today.

You can explore more of Mária’s insights and purchase her book on Amazon

Are You Ready? Unveiling the Concept of Readiness for International Students

As I reflect on my journey as an international student, there’s one question that kept echoing in my mind: “Are you ready?” It came from all corners—teachers, family, friends, and even acquaintances I barely knew. While it was meant to be supportive, a way to check if I had mentally and physically prepared for the journey ahead, the question left me increasingly unsettled. What does it even mean to be “ready”? And if I’m honest, I could never quite answer it in the way I thought I should.

The truth is, I wasn’t ready. And that’s what made the journey so transformative. The purpose of this book, The Truths of Being an International Student, is not to offer you all the answers or make you feel fully prepared for what’s ahead. Instead, it’s to guide you through this uncertain and unpredictable journey, reflecting not only my own experiences but also the heartfelt conversations I’ve had with fellow students from around the world.

I’m fortunate to have had the luxury of easily hopping on a short flight back home, avoiding the loneliness that comes with spending holidays like Christmas abroad. But even with that advantage, the challenges I faced—and thought I had prepared for—hit me unexpectedly, often when I least anticipated them.

The Myth of Readiness

The concept of “readiness” in our society is vague. Are we talking about truly being prepared? Or is it more about taking the leap, diving in, and leaving behind the life we knew? I thought I was ready to handle life on my own. But during my first 24 hours abroad, reality hit me hard. I dropped my phone and cracked the screen for the first time, spent twenty minutes trying to find my driver by mixing Italian, English, and a pinch of (broken)  Spanish, and endured a rainy walk to orientation without an umbrella—because, of course, I thought I wouldn’t need one in sunny Spain.

However, those were just the logistical challenges. There were much deeper struggles I wasn’t prepared for—the feeling of belonging to nowhere and everywhere at the same time. When your new life abroad is everything you dreamed of, yet reality knocks on your door with unexpected hardships, it can feel surreal. The life you left behind at home starts to fade, and you feel like a software update on a device—still you, but changed in language, region, and perspective. You start to experience this “double agent” reality, where you live between two worlds, but you can’t easily explain it to anyone because only someone living the same experience can truly understand.

The Duality of Identity

I wasn’t ready to leave behind the life I knew and then build a new one while holding on to the old. I hadn’t anticipated how difficult it would be to navigate between two worlds where everything—language, culture, and even thought processes—felt different. There were times when I felt more aligned with the culture of my new home, yet the clash of my old identity and the new one was an ongoing struggle.

What’s more, I wasn’t prepared to experience the bittersweetness of calling a place “home” when you’re only visiting. I hadn’t anticipated missing Madrid, a city I had come to love, as much as I did. I wasn’t ready to face the inner turmoil of wondering whether to stay in this new reality or return to my roots. To start fresh again or to hold on to the life I grew up with. The constant pull between two places, two identities, can feel like a tug-of-war within yourself.

Accepting the Uncertainty

I was not ready for many things, but over time, I’ve come to accept that I may never truly be. And that, in itself, is the beauty of the journey. You won’t be ready—but that’s exactly what makes this experience so transformative. The truth is, readiness isn’t something you can achieve before you leave. It unfolds gradually as you learn, adapt, and embrace the unpredictable nature of life abroad.

Tips for Navigating the Journey of Readiness

While you may not feel fully ready for everything, there are key principles that can help guide you as you navigate this uncertainty:

• Embrace Uncertainty: The unknown is scary, but it’s also where the magic happens. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back. Embrace it, and trust that you’ll figure things out as you go.
• Be Patient with Yourself: You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to feel lost and confused at times. That’s okay. Give yourself permission to learn and grow at your own pace.
• Build a Support System: Whether it’s fellow students, locals, or even online communities, find people who can support you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with others. You’re not alone.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every small victory, no matter how insignificant it might seem, is a step forward. Celebrate those moments—they’re the building blocks of your journey.
• Stay Open-Minded: Be open to new experiences, new cultures, and new perspectives. The more open you are, the richer your experience will be.

Conclusion: Trust the Process

This book is not about making you feel prepared for every twist and turn that comes with studying abroad. It’s about understanding that uncertainty is part of the process. You won’t have all the answers, but you will discover along the way that you’re capable of more than you ever thought. You won’t be ready—but by the time the journey is over, you will have become the person you were meant to be.