If you’re anything like me, the phrase “Study Abroad” cause both extreme excitement and extreme stress. The possibility of spending time in a foreign country with new classes, new friends, and new culture is amazing, but the process of applying to actually get there is not quite as fun. Check out these tips from your Brandeis peers on ways to navigate the Study Abroad process:
Start Early
“Even though I knew I wanted to study abroad, I started the Brandeis application pretty late and had to rush to finish it. This was partly because I had no idea where I wanted to study abroad. There are so many amazing places you can go! I definitely recommend starting your research early so you can get a better sense of what you want from your study abroad experience. Once you do that, it’s easy to narrow down the countries and programs that can give you that experience” –Sara Cardenas ’17, Czech Republic
Keep an Open Mind
“I’d say definitely pick a wide variety of programs you’re interested in at first and then over time narrow the list down. It’s better to have options in mind so you’re 100% about what program you want to do! Also, I’m studying at The Hague in the Netherlands” –Zach Viera ’17, The Netherlands
Weigh all Your Options
“Look into each program’s pros and cons and weigh them accordingly in ordering choose which one is best for you. I originally thought I wanted to study in Italy but found London to be a better fit for business opportunities” –Jessica Morana ’17, England
Find a Unique Experience
“Look for an experience you wouldn’t be able to get at Brandeis. I was able to find a program that let me have hands medical experience (watching surgeries, doing virtual surgeries, interviewing patients), and it was invaluable in affirming that I want to pursue a career in the medical field. Try to find a program that fits your interest but that also is unique” –Katy Lehmann ’16, Denmark
Reach Out to Students
“After I was accepted into my program, I checked with the study abroad office to see who from Brandeis had studied there before me and then I reached out to them to learn more. Anyone who has studied abroad would love to talk about their experiences and share any advice, so it is a good way to gain some knowledge of the county you will be living in before you get there” –Melissa Darling ’16, Argentina