So You Want to Study Abroad? Here Are My Tips on Starting the Process.
-After going abroad myself and advising students looking to go abroad at my university-
I remember scouring the internet for tips and advice when I was planning my study abroad experience to Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden for the summer of 2022 . I talked to every person I knew who had went abroad and asked for tips on packing, making friends, navigating a new country, etc. Living abroad is a big change and I wanted to make sure I was completely prepared.
This immense preparation feels a bit ironic in hindsight. This is because the number one thing I took away from my study abroad experience is that growth happens in the moments of mistakes and spontaneous adventure. All of the things I didn’t know and couldn’t have planned for before going abroad taught me the most about my personal resiliency and strengthened my ability to navigate all the things that life threw at me.
I experienced all kinds of learning moments during my time abroad. For example, I almost lost my carry-on in the Paris airport as I ran to my short connection, which I then missed because of the long security checkpoint lines. This taught me to never trust an hour long international connection at Charles de Gaulle… you won’t make it. I also struggled to make friends my first weeks on my program. This led me to take a solo trip to London for five days that completely transformed how I view spending time alone and doing the things that bring me joy.
All of this is to say, if you are anxious about going abroad and living in a new place that is completely normal and to be expected. You cannot expect to know everything about a whole new way of life before you arrive but that is ok. The best thing about going abroad in my opinion is getting to experience little learning moments and new adventures everyday.
It is not very often that we take ourselves out of our routines and get to reflect on the things that make us happy and fill us with joy. I found that studying abroad did exactly this for me. It gave me space to explore myself through a new lens and left me with more self-confidence and an idea about what my passions were.
After my time living abroad, I decided to apply for a position as a peer advisor in the education abroad office at my university, CU Boulder. I wanted to share the things I had learned with other students and help them choose the best experience possible. I absolutely loved being able to help students in this way and I want to continue spreading my knowledge here with all of you.
Though it is impossible to plan for every moment of your study abroad experience, there are some tips I have to make your planning process and overall experience run smoothly. I will start with a short list below of the main questions students asked me during my time as a peer advisor. I will follow up with a second list of tips in the future about preparing for departure and making the most out of your experience.
Starting The Study Abroad Planning Process- Top Questions and Answers
When should I start planning for my time abroad?
- Start planning your study abroad experience as early as possible. If you know you want to go abroad during your time in college let your academic advisors know so you can see how to best fit it into your degree plan. Most students go abroad during their Junior or Senior year. I advise to start planning at least a year in advance, and even further if you have a major with strict course requirements such as Engineering, Education, or STEM.
This process seems overwhelming. Where do I start?
- Talk to your academic advisor and the office that helps run study abroad programs at your university. Most colleges have resources and/or advisors to help students looking to study abroad. You can meet with this office at any time and discuss your interests, class requirements, finances, and timeline. Explore the resources that your college offers and begin thinking about when and where you would like to go abroad. Once you know when and where you want to go, the rest of the process becomes much more manageable.
How do I choose where to go abroad?
- When choosing where to study abroad I always ask students to think about the types of experiences they are looking to have. Do you want to live in a big city where you can tour museums, experience nightlife, and explore new places every day? Or do you prefer the idea of a small town where you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture, have closer access to nature, and become familiar with all of the main sites? Do you want to live somewhere close to a major airport or train system so you can travel to other places or do you primarily want to explore the area you are staying in?
- Also, think about if you are interested in learning a new language or if going somewhere where English is the primary language spoken is more appealing. Maybe you want a complete off-grid experience doing field research in a remote area of the world or living in a small village. All of these are options available to you and asking yourself these questions is a great starting point. Once you have a sense of the experience you are looking for, explore the different program offerings available to you.
What types of programs are there? How do I know which is the right fit for me?
- There are a couple of main types of study abroad programs that you should have access to depending on your university. The first of these is a study center experience where you take classes with other American students. These programs exist all over the world and allow students to take classes in English and have a variety of course offerings. The second type of program offering is an exchange program. In an exchange, you enroll in a local university in your host country and take classes with local students. This program type is best for students looking to learn a local language and meet locals. Exchanges require more independence but are amazing opportunities, especially for those on a budget as they are usually cheaper than study centers.
- Aside from study centers and exchanges, many universities also offer international internships, field-study programs, and multi-site programs. These offer more non-traditional experiences for students and are amazing ways to see the world and immerse yourself in unique cultures. Your university may also run faculty-led programs abroad with other students from your home college. This is another great option for many students looking to connect more with students and faculty from their school.
Do I need to know another language to study abroad?
- The short answer is no. There are many options that do not require you to know the host country’s language. However, knowing the local language can be a great way to connect more with locals and immerse yourself in the culture. Many programs also offer introductory language courses which I highly recommend taking to make your time navigating your new home easier.
Is going abroad more expensive than my normal tuition and living costs in the US?
- Many students worry that they can’t go abroad because it will be much more expensive than their typical college costs. When I started this process I was surprised to learn that this is rarely the case, especially for students looking to go abroad for a semester. Many study abroad programs and universities offer need-based scholarships to students looking to go abroad. At my university, your financial aid and scholarships even carry over into your study abroad tuition during the fall and spring semesters. If you live in an expensive city in the US, you may also find that living abroad is cheaper than your expenses at home. Every program and situation is unique so I recommend asking about finances and scholarships when you meet with the study abroad coordinators at your university, you may be surprised at the options available to you.
- Kieran
