Study Abroad.

tresjoliex · Jul 1st, 2008, 02:44 PM

I'm in my second year of college, and I would love to study abroad. Probably just for the summer though.

Has anyone here done it? What can you tell me about your experience?

Can anyone do it? Can you pick whatever country you'd like?

tarabag · Jul 1st, 2008, 04:25 PM

hi~
i've actually never studied abroad but a lot of my friends are doing it right now (summer study abroad programs)
i'm pretty sure anyone can do it and you could choose wherever you want to go, but i think that also depends on which school you're attending. you should stop by your study abroad office and i'm sure they'll have lots of brochures and be more than willing to provide you with lots of information~~

VPT · Jul 1st, 2008, 07:53 PM

Yes I have studied abroad and highly recommend anyone currently in college/uni to do it. Every school has different criteria and procedures, best to check with your admin office. Some schools require to get a high academic average, some don't. Some restrict programs only to students studying a foreign language, or a particular course e.g. business, some let you pick the country while some don't, and most make you pick from a list of universities they are affiliated to because the standards and curriculum has to be similar to enable you to get the equivalent subjects done, kwim?

tresjoliex · Jul 1st, 2008, 09:38 PM

WHere have you studied? How was it? Did you go alone? Did you stay on your own or with a host family?

redney · Jul 1st, 2008, 09:42 PM

I agree that study aboard programs offer a fabulous opportunity to live and be immersed in another culture!

Does your university have a study abroad office? They will tell you the affliated universities and provide information on housing, life, culture, etc. They can probably also connect you with other students from your university who participated in various programs so you can ask them questions.

Once you have a short list of a few programs, you should meet with your academic advisor to plan out your term courses - to ensure you can continue to meet your course requirements for your major. You may also wish to confirm course transferability (is that a word?

) back to your university for credits.

VPT · Jul 1st, 2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tresjoliex

WHere have you studied? How was it? Did you go alone? Did you stay on your own or with a host family?

Oh I loved my experiences! Scotland and Australia.
Choice of accommodation really depends on you. I prefer to stay with flatmates either in a dorm or private apartment. I hate staying with families - no privacy esp when I want to stay out late at night and party. That's just me, you may be different.

At first it will seem daunting after you sign up, but take it easy the experience is worth a lifetime! I mean where else do you get to stay in another country short of working in a multinational company with a rank high enough they pay you to work abroad, or marrying a foreigner and you immigrate? If you're easily frightened or worried then try staying with a host family. If you're adventurous, go for the apartment. Usually the host university abroad will facilitate arranging of your accommodation if you're an undergrad or younger. If you're postgrad you might have to do it yourself cos they think you're old enough

. But not to worry, nothing's impossible!

I always go alone, cos I like to wing it!

tresjoliex · Jul 1st, 2008, 10:06 PM

It sounds amazing. I really want to do it before I graduate.

pyrexia · Jul 1st, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tresjoliex

I'm in my second year of college, and I would love to study abroad. Probably just for the summer though.

Has anyone here done it? What can you tell me about your experience?

Can anyone do it? Can you pick whatever country you'd like?

I'm not from the US, but chose to do a semester abroad in Pennsylvania. It was wonderful.

Studying abroad is a very fun experience, but you need to remember to keep an open mind about well, everything.

If you only speak English, then be sure to research well and make sure that the college you pick has classes (or at least, the classes you want to take) conducted in English. Sounds like DUH!, but things like that often get overlooked. A couple of my friends wanted to study in Europe for the semester, but their plans fell flat because all their classes were conducted in French/German.

IMO, study abroad is not really for studying (I know I didn't do much of that!) but more for experiencing the culture and visiting places that you would not have seen before. Many of my friends who did semesters abroad take time out to travel to neighboring regions/countries/cities to make the most of their time there. In fact, about 30% of the total cost I spent abroad was spent on traveling expenses (bus/train tickets etc) and accomodation

Speak to your college's study abroad office

They usually already have several partner schools so facilitating a semester abroad is easier. Also, the course credits you get whilst at their partner university would transfer to your own course too.

Schmodi · Jul 1st, 2008, 11:49 PM

Some of my friends studied abroad and everyone loved it! It's the only thing I would change if I could go back and change something.

Also-check out semester at sea. A few of my friends did this and they literally went to so many places it was unbelievable.

bonniec · Jul 2nd, 2008, 12:08 AM

Highly, highly recommend it. In high school I spent a summer in Australia. During my junior year of college I spent the Fall Semester in Madrid, Spain. In graduate school, I spent a month in China studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture.

You can basically pick your school. Just make sure your credits will be transferrable. (I went through Vanderbilt for my Spain program) Also, if you are on a strict academic track, make sure it won't interfere with you finishing your studies on time. I was actually pre-med, but was able to front-load my science courses and focused on language and history courses while abroad. What a nice break!

digby723 · Jul 2nd, 2008, 10:38 PM

I did this when I was in high school. I paid through a private company that took care of the flights and finding me a host mom and enrolled me in school. The rest was up to me to pay. It was the best time of my life, and I met so many wonderful people. I choose the UK and from there, I was placed in Cardiff, Wales. I didn't get to choose my host family, or where I stayed, only the overall country that I wanted to live in. I stayed for 10 months and my family was not allowed to come and visit, however, my aunt and uncle came over for a week anyways. It was really expensive, it cost my mom easily 10k (exchange rate was/is horrible) but, I took a LOT of trips to other cities and even make it to Scotland for a long weekend.

If you can swing it, I say do it. You'll never forget it and you'll meet the most amazing people. Even if your host family sucks, it worth doing it (my host mom was a bitter old woman who complained about everything, and instead of confronting me about problems, choose to write notes and post them in my room, and she snooped ALL THE TIME!)

tresjoliex · Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:31 PM

I reaally really want to do it, but do you think just a vacation there will do it? Or is much more of an experience studying abroad?

VPT · Jul 3rd, 2008, 12:03 AM

Oh come on, a vacation is nowhere compared to living abroad! You don't merge into the local lifestyle and culture if you were on vacation. On a vacation you're merely a spectator. If you live there you cope, you cook, you become like one of the locals. You make new friends, you try new experiences, you discover yourself. You develop new interests, you gain much more knowledge, and the list goes on. If you can't afford it, you can always get a bank loan.

digby723 · Jul 4th, 2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tresjoliex

I reaally really want to do it, but do you think just a vacation there will do it? Or is much more of an experience studying abroad?

I sit and think about it sometimes, if, I had been able to go to Cardiff (where I lived) as a vacation, vs. a study abroad and if it would have been the same or not, and, it def would not have been. Had I just visited, I don't think I would have liked it! Everything is far away, and, it's a confusing city in general. I never would have met my "brothers", or, expierenced Japanese culture first hand (I lived w/ a 16 year old girl who was in the same program that I was and she spoke no English). I never would have found the best resturants and cafes, I never would have gone to the "hidden" parks behind the castle in town, and I wouldn't have visited half the places I did. I got to expierence high school as a welsh student, and I also took this time in my life to do a lot of expierementing (drugs, alcohol, skipping classes, sneaking out of the house, going to parties, etc etc).

Even if you visit a country for a month, you are not really absorbing the culture. You are just starting to become accustomed to it and then it is time for you to pack up and go home. If you are going to do this, I really and strongly suggest doing this properly, as a true foreign exchange student, but, at the end of the day, you should do what you feel comfortable doing!

girlfrommoscow · Jul 4th, 2008, 01:54 PM

I went to high school in England for 3 years and then came to Canada for University and kinda just stayed here lol
I think it is a great experience to study abroad - its also great to go and learn a new language since the best way to learn it is just to immerse yourself in the culture!

Jul 1st, 2008, 02:44 PM	#1
tresjoliex adore couture Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,249	Study Abroad. I'm in my second year of college, and I would love to study abroad. Probably just for the summer though. Has anyone here done it? What can you tell me about your experience? Can anyone do it? Can you pick whatever country you'd like? __________________ The best things in life are free; the second best are expensive.

Jul 1st, 2008, 07:53 PM	#3
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Joined: May 2008 Location: Vanc, WA Posts: 1,825	Yes I have studied abroad and highly recommend anyone currently in college/uni to do it. Every school has different criteria and procedures, best to check with your admin office. Some schools require to get a high academic average, some don't. Some restrict programs only to students studying a foreign language, or a particular course e.g. business, some let you pick the country while some don't, and most make you pick from a list of universities they are affiliated to because the standards and curriculum has to be similar to enable you to get the equivalent subjects done, kwim? __________________

Jul 1st, 2008, 09:38 PM	#4
tresjoliex adore couture Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,249	WHere have you studied? How was it? Did you go alone? Did you stay on your own or with a host family? __________________ The best things in life are free; the second best are expensive.

Jul 1st, 2008, 10:06 PM	#7
tresjoliex adore couture Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,249	It sounds amazing. I really want to do it before I graduate. __________________ The best things in life are free; the second best are expensive.

Jul 1st, 2008, 11:49 PM	#9
Schmodi Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Greater San Diego Posts: 1,899	Some of my friends studied abroad and everyone loved it! It's the only thing I would change if I could go back and change something. Also-check out semester at sea. A few of my friends did this and they literally went to so many places it was unbelievable. __________________

Jul 1st, 2008, 04:25 PM	#2
tarabag Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,930	hi~ i've actually never studied abroad but a lot of my friends are doing it right now (summer study abroad programs) i'm pretty sure anyone can do it and you could choose wherever you want to go, but i think that also depends on which school you're attending. you should stop by your study abroad office and i'm sure they'll have lots of brochures and be more than willing to provide you with lots of information~~

Jul 1st, 2008, 09:42 PM	#5
redney Lovin' Life! Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,557	I agree that study aboard programs offer a fabulous opportunity to live and be immersed in another culture! Does your university have a study abroad office? They will tell you the affliated universities and provide information on housing, life, culture, etc. They can probably also connect you with other students from your university who participated in various programs so you can ask them questions. Once you have a short list of a few programs, you should meet with your academic advisor to plan out your term courses - to ensure you can continue to meet your course requirements for your major. You may also wish to confirm course transferability (is that a word? ) back to your university for credits.

Jul 2nd, 2008, 12:08 AM	#10
bonniec Neurotic SAHM by day Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,414	Highly, highly recommend it. In high school I spent a summer in Australia. During my junior year of college I spent the Fall Semester in Madrid, Spain. In graduate school, I spent a month in China studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. You can basically pick your school. Just make sure your credits will be transferrable. (I went through Vanderbilt for my Spain program) Also, if you are on a strict academic track, make sure it won't interfere with you finishing your studies on time. I was actually pre-med, but was able to front-load my science courses and focused on language and history courses while abroad. What a nice break!

Jul 2nd, 2008, 10:38 PM	#11
digby723 Member Joined: May 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,494	I did this when I was in high school. I paid through a private company that took care of the flights and finding me a host mom and enrolled me in school. The rest was up to me to pay. It was the best time of my life, and I met so many wonderful people. I choose the UK and from there, I was placed in Cardiff, Wales. I didn't get to choose my host family, or where I stayed, only the overall country that I wanted to live in. I stayed for 10 months and my family was not allowed to come and visit, however, my aunt and uncle came over for a week anyways. It was really expensive, it cost my mom easily 10k (exchange rate was/is horrible) but, I took a LOT of trips to other cities and even make it to Scotland for a long weekend. If you can swing it, I say do it. You'll never forget it and you'll meet the most amazing people. Even if your host family sucks, it worth doing it (my host mom was a bitter old woman who complained about everything, and instead of confronting me about problems, choose to write notes and post them in my room, and she snooped ALL THE TIME!)

Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:31 PM	#12
tresjoliex adore couture Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,249	I reaally really want to do it, but do you think just a vacation there will do it? Or is much more of an experience studying abroad? __________________ The best things in life are free; the second best are expensive.

Jul 3rd, 2008, 12:03 AM	#13
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Joined: May 2008 Location: Vanc, WA Posts: 1,825	Oh come on, a vacation is nowhere compared to living abroad! You don't merge into the local lifestyle and culture if you were on vacation. On a vacation you're merely a spectator. If you live there you cope, you cook, you become like one of the locals. You make new friends, you try new experiences, you discover yourself. You develop new interests, you gain much more knowledge, and the list goes on. If you can't afford it, you can always get a bank loan. __________________

Jul 4th, 2008, 01:54 PM	#15
girlfrommoscow Member Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 330	I went to high school in England for 3 years and then came to Canada for University and kinda just stayed here lol I think it is a great experience to study abroad - its also great to go and learn a new language since the best way to learn it is just to immerse yourself in the culture!