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best countries for study abroad
best countries for study abroad
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These Are The Best Countries To Study Abroad, According To A 2024 Report

Jordyn Stapleton

For many college students, one of the most exciting parts of the college experience is studying abroad. Getting the chance to pursue your degree while also experiencing a different country, continent, or cultural group is a unique opportunity that many college students opt to take each year. Because you’ll be spending so much time in your study abroad program, it’s very important to choose your study abroad location wisely. Luckily, if you need help narrowing down options, U.S. News & World Report, a media company that publishes consumer rankings and advice, has just released its list of the best countries to study abroad in 2024.

There are plenty of factors you should take into consideration when deciding to study abroad. Where the program takes place, how long it will last, how much it costs, and what classes will be available to you are some of the most important things to research. It’s also worth talking to a professor or advisor to find a program that fits your degree best, if you’re unsure. Another important thing to do is look into scholarships, grants, or other measures of financial aid so you can put together a ballpark number for how much your program will cost.

There are many other country-specific factors that should play into your decision as well. For example, are you looking for a country that speaks a certain language? Are you interested in a country’s modern customs or historical traditions? Do you want to study abroad for an entire semester, or just a few weeks? These questions, and dozens more, are sure to come up when you think about where to apply.

For its official 2024 rankings, U.S. News & World Report conducted a survey of 17,000 people to assess whether they associated a certain attribute with a country. Then, the countries were grouped into thematic subrankings, one of which was whether they were good for studying abroad. 

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Of course, it’s still very important to do your own research, as the best program for you may not be in one of the countries that is listed. However, if you’re stuck and need a good jumping-off point, this list has some of the most highly recommended countries to study abroad in. Here are the top 20 countries from U.S. News’s overall rankings of places to study abroad:

  1. Switzerland
  2. Japan
  3. United States
  4. Canada
  5. Australia
  6. Sweden
  7. Germany
  8. United Kingdom
  9. New Zealand
  10. Denmark
  11. Norway
  12. France
  13. Netherlands
  14. Singapore
  15. Italy
  16. China
  17. United Arab Emirates
  18. South Korea
  19. Spain
  20. Finland 

BTW, U.S. News also has its full rankings available, with factors like quality of life, adventure, and heritage considered. Be sure to check those out if you are looking for a particular experience for your study abroad trip!

Jordyn Stapleton has been a National Lifestyle Writer for Her Campus since February 2023. She covers a variety of topics in her articles, but is most passionate about writing about mental health and social justice issues. Jordyn graduated from CU Boulder in December 2022 with Bachelor’s degrees in music and psychology with a minor in gender studies and a certificate in public health. Jordyn was involved in Her Campus during college, serving as an Editorial Assistant and later Editor-in-Chief for the CU Boulder chapter. She has also worked as a freelance stringer for the Associated Press. Jordyn is currently taking a gap year and working at a local business in Boulder, with hopes of attending graduate school in fall 2024. Jordyn enjoys reading, bullet journalling, and listening to (preferably Taylor Swift) music in her free time. If she isn’t brainstorming her next article, you can usually find her exploring coffee shops or hiking trails around Boulder with her friends.