Over the years I have been a study abroad advisor, students ask about how to plan for the first week of studying abroad, different programs, housing options, visa problems, and more. However, the most interesting question students ask (and I hear it a lot!) is where should I go?
My answer is always the same – it depends.
Boom. How about that for a letdown?
There are so many types of programs for students that it is critical to remember that your study abroad experience has the potential to shape your future in many ways.
One bonus piece of advice – research at least five programs before you settle on one!
Here are some things to consider before settling on a program location:
Your major and what your graduation requirements are
Does your major have specific on-campus requirements that you would be missing if you studied abroad during a particular semester? Will studying abroad fulfill any requirements, like a global experience requirement? What did your academic advisor say when you mentioned your interest in studying abroad?
What courses you need to take abroad
In order to stay on track for graduation, what courses will you need to take abroad? What types of credits are available to students at different programs? If you transferred in any credits from previous institutions or from high school, are you still eligible to enroll in more transfer credits abroad?
Cost of program
How much can you afford based on your financial aid package, your savings, and any other contributions? If you are comparing programs, is the published cost inclusive of everything for the program – housing, tuition, fees, support, food, flight, etc? Are there any scholarships for the program?
Cost of living in the destination
How much will incidentals likely cost you (and do you have the funds to support yourself for these incidentals)? What will transportation, housing, food, entertainment, and anything else cost you during the program?
Duration of program
How long would you be comfortable with studying abroad? Which semester would you be interested in pursuing? Are you interested in going for a summer, Spring Break, a winterterm, a semester, an academic year? Does it fit into your academic plan without delaying graduation?
When in your college career you ideally would like to study abroad
Are you considering any internships, and would they conflict with a semester abroad? Are there freshman programs at your university, or do most students study abroad during sophomore or junior year? Does this align with requirements you have to fulfill on-campus? Does your advisor have recommendations?
What your current ideal career is
Are there parts of the world that focus on this particular career? What do you hope to specialize in, and how can you garner a new perspective on this field while you are studying abroad? Are there internship opportunities as part of your program that will help you gain experience (and are the internships eligible for credit)?
What would look best on your resume to potential employers
What kind of experience will make you look the most competitive when compared to your peers for job applications? How do you hope to frame your experience when participating in interviews? What are some of the current “desired qualifications” for your dream job?
How much support you want for your time abroad
Will you want a lot of administrative support while you are abroad, or are you comfortable with figuring out a lot of the details on your own? Will you have an advisor or resident director on-site?
Notice how I said that you should think of all of these things before you settle on a study abroad program location.
It is far easier, I admit, to pick a location and then work out a relevant program in that location. However, with most students looking to study in western Europe, there is a certain connotation that students who go to western Europe only drink, travel every weekend, and blow off classes.
(This comes from employers, and the fact that they probably did that during their semesters abroad!)
Different students thrive on different programs. No matter which program you end up pursuing, it will challenge you in ways that might not have been evident at first.
It’s important to manage your expectations of a program before committing to it. For example, if you are pursuing an exchange program for the affordability, be sure you are comfortable with the level of support the program will provide prior to committing.
Final Thoughts
As you consider the questions above, here are your next steps for deciding on a study abroad program –
- Consider programs around the world, as opposed to a location
- Determine the cost of the program (the true cost, including personal expenses)
- Review your financial aid and determine a realistic cost of the program – inclusive of everything – as well as if you need to apply for scholarships or additional loans (a word of caution on this, however – make all of your study abroad plans as if you will not receive any scholarships. You don’t want to be ready to depart and then you find out that you were not granted the $5,000 scholarship you were depending on).
- Talk to your academic and study abroad advisor to find out more about the program availability based on your interests and needs
- Discuss your interest in studying abroad with your family and loved ones
- Then, finally, start narrowing down your options – may the most suitable one win!
Studying abroad is one of the most impactful experiences available to students during college and high school.
By thinking more critically about your desired outcomes instead of the program location, you will be well on your way to a challenging, positive, and successful study abroad experience.
How did you choose a study abroad program? What questions did you ask your advisor? What do you wish you had done differently?
Related posts:
Types of Study Abroad Programs
How to Get Credit for Study Abroad Programs
Why Students Prefer Spring Study Abroad (and Why You Should Consider Fall!)
5 Reasons Why Students Don’t Study Abroad
7 Habits of Successful Study Abroad Students