Congratulations for starting your study abroad journey! Just by reading this guide, you are demonstrating that you are looking forward to the ways that study abroad can challenge you, push you, and even change you.
Or you think that leaving your home country for a few weeks or months sounds like fun.
Either way, admitting it is the first step to making study abroad a reality!
I’ve written quite a few posts up until now about the preparation process for studying abroad. It’s about time to compile them.
So, without any further ado, here are 10 posts to act as your pre-application study abroad guide:
1. When to Start Planning for Study Abroad: The earlier you start planning for study abroad, the better! This is a realistic outline of why planning early is fabulous.
2. Types of Study Abroad Programs: You might need a comforting beverage to go with this one. It is detailed.
This is an outline of different program types so that you don’t get lost in the different options offered through your school.
3. Ask an Advisor: What Should Students Ask?: I’ve heard it all. No, but really. I kind of have.
Here are the questions that I wished students asked me before committing to a program!
4. How to Get Credit for Study Abroad Programs: Notice how studying abroad is written in a very important order – studying is still first.
You might be interested in getting credit for your study abroad program.
This will help you figure it out.
5. 5 Reasons Why Students Don’t Study Abroad: Before you start dreaming of spending your weekends taking fabulous trips, read this.
I always hear reasons why students don’t end up studying abroad. If you familiarize yourself with these reasons now, you will set yourself up for a better chance of following through with studying abroad!
6. The Truth about Homestays: Pros and Cons: Thinking of living with a family in your host country? Here are the pros and cons of doing that.
7. Why Students Prefer Spring Study Abroad (and Why You Should Consider Fall!): Have you heard that many people want to study abroad during the spring of their junior year (or their third year)?
Well, there are other semesters that are just as lovely to study abroad.
Just saying.
8. Websites You Should Know for Study Abroad: Part of your research needs to include actually researching some funding, visa information, and travel information.
Visit these sites.
Read them.
Love them.
9. 7 Habits of Successful Study Abroad Students: Now that you have done an insane amount of research, learn about how to be the best damn study abroad student your advisor has ever seen.
Trust me, by being a solid, reliable student, you will ingratiate yourself to the person who ultimately will have some control over your your grades, your program, or your visa.
It’s not a bad idea.
10. How to Write a Kick-Ass Application Essay: Finally, it’s time to write your application and essay!
If you didn’t make it through the other posts in this guide, this is the one that is really important.
After reading tons of essays and applications, I can tell you with gusto which ones make me want to cry. And I can tell you which ones make me want to give them all of my money.
The world is yours – now get on your way!
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