There are a lot of “can’t-miss” experiences that your fellow students and alumni alike may rave about, but studying abroad has got to snag the top spot. It is a unique and immersive opportunity that many people simply can’t get beyond their college years (especially if they’re too busy paying off student loans to drop everything and go to, say, Rome for a month). However, as wonderful and (relatively) easy it is to study abroad as a student, the process is far from randomly choosing a European city and letting the rest fall into place. Here are a few things you must consider when choosing a study abroad trip.
Research! International trips take a lot of prep. From pamphlet-filled study abroad fairs to simply quizzing your friends who have taken the leap, find out everything you can about your options. This includes course descriptions, student accommodations, names of professors who will guide you, and cultural expectations. Even quick anecdotes can help in reminding you of some little aspect you might have forgotten.
Decide on your time frame. Do you want to devote about a month, in the winter or summer semester? Do you want to spend an entire semester, or even an entire year abroad? See what you can work with, making sure to note your own personal or financial limits. Try not to let the thought of homesickness hold you back.
Be open minded. Don’t limit your research to one place just because you think it might be the easiest to adapt to. Don’t even limit yourself to one continent! Explore all the study abroad options, and think about how much you want to challenge yourself. Do your dreams stop at some touristy sightseeing, or could you see yourself being totally immersed in a foreign culture and language?
Make sure what you learn is relevant to your major—or if it isn’t, make sure you have enough wiggle room to take these classes. You will know exactly what courses you’d be taking for each trip, so if you want, you can choose a trip which will benefit your major. I’m an English major, so when I studied abroad in London for a month, I took an English class (surprise!). Of course, you don’t have to take courses relevant to your major—it can be just for the cultural experience. Just make sure studying abroad won’t throw you off course for graduation.
Keep calm, prepare like crazy, test your own limits, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime!