Tips for studying abroad: 5 lessons you can learn from watching The Super Mario Bros movie

Studying abroad is an adventure of a lifetime! And if you’ve watched the Super Mario Bros movie, it might not be so different.While you won’t be dodging fireballs or sliding through a pipe into bizarre worlds, the challenges of studying abroad can bring similar feelings of encountering the unknown. It could be when you’re building a team for a school project or facing a difficult setback.A movie about a video game character might not be the first place you look for study abroad tips and advice. But look from a higher perspective, and you’ll see valuable nuggets that can help you in your pursuit of a degree overseas.From harnessing the power of teamwork to facing your fears, here are 5 important life lessons you can pick up after visiting the Mushroom Kingdom at the theatres!

5 life lessons for international students from The Super Mario Bros movie

1. Step out of your comfort zone

If we’re talking about comparing sizes, it’s clear that Mario doesn’t stand a chance against King Bowser. This supervillain is more than four times his size!

But the mere fact that he steps out of his safety zone and stands up against Bowser (with the help of his friends, of course) says a lot about his character.

You’ll observe that Mario isn’t always confident at the start and has countless moments of fear shrouding him throughout his adventure. But ultimately, it’s his courage that brings out his self-confidence.

Likewise, you’ll also come across new and unfamiliar experiences outside your comfort zone the moment you step into university, one of the first challenges of studying abroad. But sometimes, it’s in these instances where you’ll shine brightest.

Try being intentional and putting yourself in less comfortable situations to coax out your true potential. Make new friends at a social gathering, join a new sports club, or even sign up for a new elective.

It’s like they say: if you never try, you’ll never know. Unless it’s smashing a brick with your head wearing only a plumber’s cap.

2. Working in teams is always better

Mario knew that defeating King Bowser all by himself would be a long shot. *Warning, potential spoiler ahead* That’s why he had his companions Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and eventually Donkey Kong by his side.

The teamwork displayed amongst all the characters wasn’t just evident throughout the movie but also became a memorable anchor that reminded us how working together almost always turns out for the better.

With all their different strengths and abilities combined, you can guess whether they succeeded in the end.

In the same way, learning how to work well in teams during your college days can benefit you both academically, socially, and even emotionally. This is a life lesson for students abroad you must take note of.

By learning how to get along with others, you will see your social skills and self-confidence grow over time, which is important progress to have during your college life abroad.

And if you don’t have a peer group, be sure to network around your campus. It isn’t hard to find friends as a transfer student!

3. Never give up and keep trying

Like many classic video games, the movie has Mario going through various themed levels like Rainbow Road, Donkey Kong Level 1, and eventually all the way to Bowser’s Castle.

Not to say you’ll find a giant turtle dinosaur villain in university, but there will be moments where students will be tried and pushed by their circumstances—academically, physically, emotionally, mentally, and perhaps even financially. One way it could manifest is as a language barrier when studying abroad.

Despite all the different stages Mario had to go clear, he pushed (or jumped) through to the end.

You’ll find this is a movie that imparts an important life lesson to learn: with every struggle comes an opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and courage in yourself.

4. Face your challenges head-on

Mario was merely an average plumber from Brooklyn, before being bestowed with the incredibly heavy responsibility of saving the world(s).

With such a daunting task ahead of him, the wise choice might have seemed to back down and run away. Instead, Mario chose to conquer his fears and face all the challenges that were to come.

Whether you like it or not, college life would always present itself with a variety of obstacles along the way. This may include the struggle to make friends and find a sense of community at first, keeping up with your academics, and even learning to cope with living alone in a foreign country.

But when you take each moment for what it is and see it as a lesson for your future self, you’ll be able to overcome anything that may come your way.

5. Handle pressure with your team of cheerleaders

In The Super Mario Bros movie, Luigi was with Mario through the challenging obstacles to the end to fight Bowser.

The lesson here? The people you choose to bring into your life in the course of your study journey abroad will also be the ones cheering you on in both your highs and lows throughout your study abroad experience.

With academic responsibilities and the reality of living alone in a different country, university life can be one of the most stressful times you’ll ever experience in your youth.

Yet, having the right company and community will let you not only deal with the difficulties of life but also rise above it all.

Approach studying abroad with a sense of adventure

The Super Mario Bros. movie teaches us a lot about how to overcome all the different challenges of studying abroad thrown at us.

You can use that and change your perspective of university life to that of an adventure at the end of the day.

If you’re ready to make that a reality, here’s how to get started on your overseas study journey.

Get advice from education experts like IDP’s counsellors, who can assist and provide you with tailored guidance throughout the process—from choosing the right course to getting settled into your study destination.

Book a free counselling session with us today! Enquire with us or hit the message button to drop us a question!