Let's Be Real For A Second: Mental Health Awareness Month

"Ever found yourself crying in the middle of a supermarket aisle in a foreign country, just because you couldn’t find your favorite cereal?"

I have. And trust me, it wasn’t just about the cereal.

Moving to a new country for school sounds like a dream - and for many, it really is. New people. New food. New cities to explore. But beneath all the Instagram stories of touristy spots and fun hostel hangouts, there’s a part of the journey that rarely gets talked about: the emotional toll of adjusting to a new culture.

Ayo’s Story: From Lagos to Cape Town

Ayo, a 22-year-old student from Nigeria, had always dreamed of studying abroad. When she got accepted into a university in South Africa, she couldn’t wait to leave. But a month in, she started feeling… weird.

She wasn’t sick.

She wasn’t homesick either.

She was just……lonely.

Everything around her was different. People spoke too fast, laughed at jokes she didn’t get, and ate things she couldn't even pronounce. Some days, she felt invisible. Other days, overwhelmed.

“I didn’t want to call home because everyone thought I was living the dream,” she said. “But I was struggling, silently.”

This is a reality many international students face. It’s not always easy to adapt, and no one really teaches you how to handle the emotional side of cultural change.

Why Cross-Cultural Travel Can Mess with Your Mind (But Also Heal It)

Culture shock is real. One minute you're vibing with your classmates, and the next you're spiraling into self-doubt because you didn’t get a reference from a popular Netflix show in that country.

But here’s the good part:

Cross-cultural travel challenges you—yes. But it also grows you.

You learn to adapt. You become more resilient. You see the world through multiple lenses. And most importantly, you begin to understand yourself better.

But to get there, mental health has to be part of the journey, not something we talk about only when things are falling apart.

Mental Health Awareness Month: Let’s Be Real for a Second

This month isn’t about fancy hashtags or wellness buzzwords. It’s about being honest with how you feel.

If you’re a student living or studying abroad, here’s what you need to remember:

• It’s okay to feel lost.
• It’s okay to ask for help.
• And it’s okay to admit that this “dream life” is harder than it looks sometimes.

Take walks. Talk to people from your culture and others. Journal. Breathe. And don’t be afraid to reach out for support—whether that’s a therapist, a mentor, or a safe online community.

A Little Something From Us to You

At AJO Wellness, we believe travel should be healing, not traumatic. That’s why we created something special for you:

🎁 Grab our FREE eBook: The Essential Guide to International Travel

Inside, you’ll find:

• Step-by-step checklists for stress-free travel planning
• Smart packing tips and airport survival hacks
• Easy ways to adapt to new cultures and traditions
• Money-saving tricks and safety tips abroad
• Creative ideas for capturing and sharing your travel memories



Travel opens your eyes. But mental health keeps them clear.

Wherever you are in the world, just know you’re not alone.