The Study Abroad Decision - Best Colleges. In the following guide, we take you through the major criteria you need to consider when planning out your first study abroad experience. If you put our advice into practice, you’ll find that when it comes time to settle on a destination, you’ll be confident in your choice and prepared to set out on a life- changing journey. Why Study Abroad? Students choose to study abroad for a variety of reasons. Some are purely interested in travel; living in another country provides a perspective well beyond the scope of most tourists’ visits. Others want to improve their foreign language skills or even their resumes. Some want to delve into a specific topic related to their majors, and a particular location will afford them learning opportunities they can’t get anywhere else. Ccisabroad.org is a consortium of colleges offering study abroad programs for U.S. Our sponsoring colleges and universities offer affordable. Community College Study Abroad Programs provide. Study Abroad is distinct from study tours. Colleges With the Most Students Who Study Abroad. 1,800 colleges and universities for our 2015. The study abroad data above. Finding the best cultural fit for you and your passions is also part of the study abroad process, extending your educational experience and preparing you for work and life after graduation. A 2. 01. 3 study from the Institute of International Education (IIE) found that the number of U. S. In the 2. 01. 2- 2. U. S. While this number has been increasing in recent years, IIE points out that this is still a small percentage of the millions of students eligible to participate in these programs. Where are U. S. Students Studying Abroad? The Institute of International Education (IIE) provides an extensive list of the top study abroad destinations for American Students. Here’s a view of the nations U. S. Study Abroad Students, 2. Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. Deciding to Study Abroad. Choosing to study in another country, whether it’s for the summer, a semester or a full year, is an individual decision. Here are a few factors you’ll need to weigh when researching and comparing destinations. Explore Study Abroad Programs California Study Abroad Town Hall CalAbroad Home. California ’s two- and four-year colleges and universities. Academics. Will you earn academic credit for the coursework completed during your study abroad program? The answer really depends on whether or not the program is offered by your university, another university, or in partnership with an independent organization. If academic credit is a must- have, you need to ask the following questions: Are you eligible to study abroad? Most programs require a formal application. Before anything, be sure to check the requirements of each program you are interested in to determine if you are eligible. Application decisions can include factors like your GPA, major, number of completed credits, prior language courses or language proficiency, and year of college (i. Talk with your academic advisor to find out how these credits, usually earned through coursework and/or experiential learning opportunities (e. Do you need to get pre- approval? Assume the answer to this question is “yes” and coordinate with your advisor and academic department to make sure they know what your abroad program entails and how that affects your degree. Credit transfer is easiest if the program is an extension of your home university, but other options are available and even encouraged, although additional paperwork and planning are required.
Will study abroad delay your graduation? Study abroad programs are usually an optional experience for students. While there are a few schools that require students to study in another country, most don’t. It is essential that the experience helps you reach your graduation goals and doesn’t extend your time as a student, which could result in additional costs. If the study abroad program you are interested in applying to does not result in earned academic credit, you should consult with your advisor to find out more about how the experience will complement your degree plan and/or potentially delay your planned graduation date. While virtually every student can find a worthwhile reason to spend a semester or two abroad, when you look at all the students who end up abroad, there are some clear standout types of students, based on major, that take the journey. Here’s how majors broke down for U. S. Students Abroad by Major Source: Institute of International Education. Study Abroad Students, 2. Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. Learning a Foreign Language. Not all locations require you to understand or learn a new language, but many programs provide language- focused coursework and the opportunity to immerse yourself in a culture of native speakers. To many, there’s no better way to learn a new language than through the level of immersion living abroad affords. In a recent study from IES Abroad, 8. Personal Maturity and Growth. Moving away from home to attend college is one thing; committing to a study abroad program in another country is something else entirely. These programs require you to move out of your comfort zone and interact with people and cultures that are often completely new to you. A successful experience is the result of being aware of the maturity level you’ll need and making sure you really are prepared to meet the challenges of living abroad. While you’ll have some support services available to you via your school or other program sponsors, studying abroad is a very independent experience. For example, you are required to understand and take control of your personal finances. You may pay rent to a local landlord or have to do your banking locally, even opening up an account abroad. Navigating local customs and business practices different from those you are accustomed to in the U. S. However, you should also do some research to set realistic expectations before you go. Additional Costs. As a study abroad student, you’ll be responsible for a number of costs. Additional tuition and fees may be required by your school or by the school you are enrolled in while studying abroad. The cost of travel to and from your destination, as well as travel while in your host country, can add up quickly. You also need to budget for housing, meals, passport fees, visas, insurance and any number of other minor expenses. Do you want to travel to other cities or nations while abroad? Side excursions are a big draw of studying abroad; if you are excited by the prospect of some globetrotting while abroad, you’ll want to make sure you’ve set aside some money for a few such trips. Expect your program to help you estimate the types of expenses you’ll encounter. Ideally they’ll be able to outline a rough budget that will work for most students. The program may also provide financial support through specific scholarships and grants designed to support students enrolled in the program. Be sure to ask about any and every available funding opportunity. Schedules. The timing of your study abroad program can greatly alter your academic plans at your home university. Consider the following scheduling questions as you weigh programs: Will a study abroad program align with your academic calendar? Opportunities offered by your institution will likely follow your semester or term schedule, but those coordinated through other institutions may need special consideration. For example, Australian summer holidays usually occur from December through February. Will participating in a study abroad program rule you out for certain jobs or internships? As a college student, you have a lots of activities to choose from, be they opportunities to travel, to research, to intern or even to pursue a particular job while in school. When you commit to a semester abroad, you invariably turn down any number of those opportunities. Make sure you know what conflicts with your abroad plans just to confirm you are comfortable missing out on the alternate opportunities. Will study abroad affect your scholarship(s)? While organizations that provide students with financial aid, through loans, grants, scholarships, etc., may support students’ interest in studying abroad, some have strict requirements about where and when they’ll award aid, which may force students to abandon or suspend their financial aid while abroad. Be sure to contact your financial advisor and/or scholarship coordinator to find out more about what is and isn’t possible given the stipulations of your own aid package. Independent Programs. You may find your school already has a large catalogue of specific study abroad programs for its students; some may require students to have particular majors or good grades, while others will accept any enrolled student who’s interested. That being said, when you are scouring for great abroad programs, remember you aren’t limited to those specifically offered by your university. There are several private, nonprofit and governmental organizations that provide their own array of opportunities abroad. These groups coordinate programs across the globe, which include a wide range of academic coursework and cultural activities for students in all majors. Each sponsor is different, but many coordinate housing and travel; they may also provide on- ground support staff in the host countries. As you explore independent organizations, make sure your school recognizes the programs you are considering attending. This coordination is critical to ensuring transfer credit and also provides a second source of review and approval. Check with your college’s study abroad program for more information about affiliate and other external study abroad sponsors. Here are a few programs and resources to jumpstart your search: Abroad. This site allows you to search for programs sponsored by colleges, universities and independent organizations. The site also comes with student reviews. American Institute for Foreign Study: This cultural exchange organization coordinates study abroad opportunities for more than 5. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs: The U. S. Department of State sponsors a variety of international educational programs for high school students and college students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Opportunities are also available for people who have already graduated.
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