Things you need to realise before you study martial arts abroad

So you’ve chosen your favourite kung fu school. Planned out your itinerary, identified the classes and styles of martial arts you wish to learn, and are ready to study martial arts abroad. All you need to do now is to pack the appropriate training clothes, electronics, camera and any reading materials? Not quite. Though at first glimpse, studying kung fu in China may seem like an excuse for an affordable gap year, it’s not all kung fu panda’s, and wispy bearded mystical kung fu masters. The very first thing you need to do is get the appropriate visa. This is essential if you don’t wish to end up out of your comfort zone and in hot water with the Chinese authorities. Therefore you should plan to make your visa applications at least 1-3 months in advance of your departure date.

Thing you need to realise before you Study Martial Arts Abroad

When people talk about the challenges of learning kung fu in China, they are usually referring, not to the kung fu or training, but to the annoyance of securing, and extending visas, and adapting to cultural differences. Ensuring you have all the proper documentation, have consulted the Chinese embassy in advance, and have taken our free studymartialarts.org consultation is highly recommended to keep things going smoothly. Studying martial arts abroad is, for many a once in a lifetime experience, and one of the most rewarding things you’ll do. Helping our studymartialarts.org students get it right, and making the process easy is one of our specialties.

In order to take up what could be your first martial arts travel and training experience with a realistic set of expectations our consultations are designed to demystify the travel, and easily adjust to your new situation. So here are a few harsh but real truths that you might as well start working on and accepting right now. Read on for some of the most important study kung fu abroad tips that schools tend to forget to tell you:

Yes, it makes a significant difference if you study

When some people see the phrase “study kung fu in China,” their eyes glaze over and they think because they will be training intensively they will just get it. At Study Martial Arts we emphasise the importance of the word study. This first word is involved for a reason: because sometimes, you do have to study. And not only go to class. But actually work outside class, and in your spare time. Depending on your own talents, and what you want to achieve you may find aspects of the training easier than others. This depends greatly on a number of factors. The style(s) you are learning, style of the masters teaching, your learning preferences, and of course the work you put in.

You might be surprised to find out that there’s a big difference between, how you think you move, follow your master or instructors actions, and what you actually do. This disappointment, and learning that they are not all knowing, wise, or infallible can be disappointing. All too often I’ve seen students in total awe of their masters boarding on cultish infatuation. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of amazing masters out there but remember it’s not wise to put anyone up on a pedestal. It normally ends in disappointment. Just be respectful, honest with what you want to gain, and of course realistic in your expectations.

You Will Probably Be Confused At Least 80% of the Time

You will have to adjust to a culture very different from your own. Whether it’s Chinese, Japanese or Thai, they all have their own unique qualities, traditions that must be respected, if you plan to fit in, and enjoy the experience without offending your hosts.

In most cases confusion will come when you can’t get the information you want from your, gym, dojo or school management. Information is often withheld as it is deemed unnecessary for you to know. You can experience being kept in the dark and not knowing why certain things are happening. Not knowing the language adds to this confusion and can be very frustrating. Developing cultural sensitivity, and understanding is the key to becoming less frustrated.

No matter how many guidebooks, documentaries or movies you watch, there are just going to be practices and situations that will take you by surprise.

It might be the guy playing guitar in the restaurant, the food, or the fact that your town has only one taxi – and it’s a motorcycle. “Expect the unexpected” is a dumb cliché, but you do have to brace yourself for the possibility that tasks as simple as buying something, getting directions or dealing with bureaucracy will take on all sorts of levels of challenge. Once you get used to it, though, it’ll become like second nature (or you’ll at least learn to ignore the guy on the bus).

Snacks and Supplements

You never know how much you take your familiar grocery store for granted until it’s gone. Most of us are spoiled by having billions of options, and flavours for every single item, but even putting aside the variety, we get attached to certain things. Maybe it’s your favourite chocolate, iron brew, salt and vinegar crisps or pies and pastries from Greg’s the baker. You might be able to find close approximations in some places, but you have to prepare yourself for the possibility that your favourite foods may just not exist wherever you’re heading.

This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. Approach it with a sense of adventure. And if you just have to have your snacks, fear not 7/11 stores can be found everywhere in Asia. While in Thailand, UK nationals might even be lucky enough to find a Tesco Metro.
The hardest thing will be finding and getting access to good supplements. For this we have a solution. When you book through StudyMartialArts.Org we will help you order good supplements, protein powders, vitamins and more direct to your training base.

Other Conveniences

Many of us are spoiled by our culture were, customer service is generally good, and complaining or giving feedback is normally addressed. When at home if we want something we generally know how to get it, know our rights, and can do it ourselves. While this works at home it isn’t always going to be true while abroad. When abroad you probably won’t know the language or how to get the things you want. Things work, but they don’t function in the way you’re used to, and you may need to rely on others or some adaptation to get them.
At StudyMartialArts.Org we will do our best to help you prepare in advance, and assist you make the adjustments necessary easily, smoothly with confidence. Check out our travel resources brimming with guide books and articles totally free for your to access.

This is Not a Holiday Camp

If you’re one of those kids who thinks this is an all inclusive holiday or you’re someone that needs their hand held the whole time despite being over 30. Then these type of experiences are simply not for you. Don’t get me wrong if you’ve never done anything like this before, or need help that’s not the same, If you come with the attitude that you want to learn, and become more aware and self-reliant you will be welcomed by masters and fellow students alike. If however, you come with an entitled, arrogant, poor attitude with a bad work ethic you will just end up pissing everyone off, and will be wasting your own time as well as everyone else’s.

You should expect to learn how to wash your own clothes or cook dinner for yourself when or if required as well as rough it a few weeks. You’ll need to take responsibility for yourself and function independently more than ever before. It’s going to be different from what you’re used to, you typically will be expected to keep your room clean, respect others and their belongings and stay clean. If you are studying martial arts abroad hygiene is very important. When training in close to other or in bodily contact is important that basic hygiene and grooming for martial arts is adhered to not only for health but for safety. It is particularly important if studying BJJ to employ the correct etiquette due to the close bodily contact.

Your Fave Holidays Are Canceled This Year

Halloween? Christmas? Thanksgiving? Today’s multiculturalism meant that the big holidays have become universal to an extent, but depending on where you are, you may not have access to places to go or access to the foods you need for the celebrations. Nevertheless, part of the excitement of being immersed in another culture and studying martial arts abroad is learning about, and experiencing their unique holidays, whether it’s Chinese New Year, Songkran water festival in Thailand, or Japan’s Penis Festival Kanamara Matsuri. These holidays may be somewhat familiar or completely new to you, and there’s no doubt they’ll be interesting. Still, it’s hard not to feel a little sad when Christmas rolls around, and you don’t have a Turkey, nevermind cranberry sauce, and stuffing.

One way to deal with this is to plan your own celebration with other martial arts students from the same country or who might have the same religion as you – this is fairly common, and can be a good way to introduce others to your culture so everyone enjoys in the multiculturalism. Just don’t get so wrapped up in missing your own holidays that you forget to enjoy the new ones you’re learning about. On the bright side, with so many more holidays to choose from you’re never too far away from a celebration.

‘Don’t get so wrapped up in missing your own holidays that you forget to enjoy the new ones you’re learning about’.

You Can’t Use the Internet for Everything

There might be times you won’t be able to use the internet, depending on where you are. But even if you do regularly have a dependable connection, you won’t necessarily have access to all the services you’re used to. If you’re in China a VPN is a must. Otherwise, google, and gmail will be out of reach. Not to mention youtube, social media or whatsapp. If you’re in Thailand or Japan you’ll have no worries providing the connections good. If you want to learn more about VPN’s read this article. For 13 years I’ve consistently been a user of Express VPN. It’s the most reliable, and the fastest. Plus it will help you access and watch online all your favourite TV shows and movies.

You’re Probably Going to Offend Someone

The chances are at some point, you may offend someone. Language and culture differences can be an endless sources of entertainment, and potential pitfalls. If you’re planning on learning the language you have to be prepared to make mistakes. Most mistakes are harmless, and people understand that you’re bound to mis pronounce or mix up your words when you’re not a native speaker. Students who have been their longer provide good source of information on what no to do. Follow their lead and you’ll figure things out fairly quickly. Many of the full time martial arts schools provide students with cultural classes so help new arrivals make the necessary adjustments. The whole process is a learning experience that should be fun and interesting.

Studying martial arts abroad is one of the best things you can do. Often it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Making the most out of it and connecting to the right school, dojo, or gym is what we at StudyMartialArts.Org specialize in. Our goal is to help you choose the right study martial arts abroad programme that will set you up for success. When you book through StudyMartialArts.Org you’ll get a free consultation, designed to save you both time and money as well as get you off to the right start. Just email us at info@studymartialarts.org for further information. We’ve got you covered.