I’ve never met anyone who has regretted their study abroad experience. Everyone describes it as a life changing experience that has altered their perspective of the world around them. This is exactly why I plan to study abroad next semester in Seville, Spain with API! Now, I am not an expert in all things study abroad. I am currently going through the process of preparing to depart in January. However, I do have a few tips to share:
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Make an appointment with your school’s study abroad office! I went to my school’s Office of International Education and they did a wonderful job of helping me choose a program, as well as point me in the direction of a few scholarships, and help me through the lengthy pre-departure process.
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Attend your school’s study abroad events and info sessions! They’re usually informative and fun!
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Ask Questions! Asking former study abroad students for advice has helped me tremendously during my pre-departure process.
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Narrow down your Study Abroad Program options! A few of the “big-names” in the study abroad industry might include: CIEE, API, CAPA, IES, etc. You may choose your program based on the price, its reputation, or the quality of education at your new institution. Regardless, it’s important to do your research and compare in order to see what the best program option is for you!
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Make an appointment with your school’s financial aid office to see if you can use your financial aid to pay for a portion of your study abroad program.
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Look for scholarships well in advance!
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Discuss studying abroad with your family! If they aren’t on board with the idea at first, encourage them to attend a study abroad Info Session or event at your school. Hit them with the facts! Tell them that students who study abroad are more likely to get a job and earn more than their peers who did not study abroad. Check out the link below for more information!