To study abroad, or not to study abroad?

When deciding whether to study abroad, students typically fall into one of three categories:

1) “I am 100% going to study abroad, no matter what!”

2) “Studying abroad just isn’t for me – it’s too far, too costly, or would take too much focus away from the classes in my major.”

3) “I’m not sure yet, but I have lots of time to think about it…”

No matter where you fall, now is the right time to talk about studying abroad – even if it’s for the last time – because it really can set the framework for the rest of your time in college. Also, studying abroad is just one of those things that the more you work out the details now the easier it will be down the line.

Here are the most important things to consider…

Options
It might sound obvious, but you’ve first gotta figure out what your options are. Are you able to go for a full year, or just a semester? Are there partner programs affiliated with your university, or do you want something entirely unassociated? If you want unassociated, will you be able to get course credits? How, if at all, can your financial aid package be applied to a particular program? Do you want to stay in one location, or would you want to travel to different places (like Semester at Sea)? Do you want to stay in dorms, or with home-stay families?

Location, location, location
Because there are so many factors to consider, sometimes the best way to start is just by pulling out a map and listing out possible places to check out. Next, really think about what qualities you actually want your location to have: city vs. country, population size, historical significance, language spoken, cost of living, culture-feel, travel opportunities, public transportation, weather, etc.

Timing
For those of you who feel like you have loads of time to think about study abroad, the truth is, most universities require you to apply at least a year in advance for the program you want!! Yikes! So, you need to gather some information now in order to decide the right time for you to go abroad:

1) How might the coursework for your major be affected? (Hint: Meet with your Academic Advisor asap!)

2) How might leadership opportunities be affected? (Hint: Double-check when officer elections are for clubs, societies, Greek life, etc.!)

3) How might internship possibilities be affected? (Hint: Get feedback from professors and your Career Development Center!)


Alternatives
Think an entire semester or year just isn’t going to work out but still want to get some international exposure? What are the alternatives available to you? Check out the potential to do an international internship one summer – it would be a great way to build your resume! Also, some universities offer travel courses, typically led by faculty members, which vary in length from 2-6 weeks, giving you the opportunity to take a course you need while traveling with friends.

Now, Get to it!
Many campuses have a central Study Abroad/Global Education office – check it out and get some good perspective and info from the staff and student workers before you make your decision. If your campus does not have this resource or you want to consider other possibilities, try these websites to get you started: http://www.studyabroad.com/, http://www.goabroad.com/.

Bottom Line: Studying abroad is a wonderful way to be exposed to new ideas and cultures, and also to add to the college experience you are currently building. Putting thoughtful consideration into deciding how, when, where, and even if, you study abroad will ensure that no matter what you decide, you will feel great about your decision.