do you want to study abroad?
If you go to college, then studying abroad is definitely an experience that you want to incorporate into your plans. It will allow you to go on an adventure, explore another culture, and provide you with some international perspective of the world.
Most people I have met regret not being able to go abroad, and the main reasons were because they didn't consider it until it was too late and they didn't think it was possible.
Anyone can go studying abroad, but it does require planning.
Most people I have met regret not being able to go abroad, and the main reasons were because they didn't consider it until it was too late and they didn't think it was possible.
Anyone can go studying abroad, but it does require planning.
So let me help you!
First : learn the basics
My advisors are always saying:
"It's never too early to start thinking about studying abroad." And they're right! Even if you're still in high school, just considering the option will give you more time to choose about going abroad. |
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So here are a few basic facts to consider before deciding to study abroad:
- You will need to do research and planning to find the right program for you.
- Costs will depend on the program, some programs may be cheaper than your current college.
- Financial aid can be transferred over and scholarships are completely doable.
- There are opportunities available for all majors in many countries.
- You do not need to study abroad in your major, it is easier to take general ed courses abroad.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students can also go abroad!
- Most classes are taught in English, but there are also ones taught in the country's language.
- It is possible to study abroad and graduate in 4 years, especially if you do one semester.
- There are also programs where you can work, intern, volunteer, or teach abroad.
- It can be more fun than traveling, since you will get to actually live there with native friends.
second : talk to an advisor and find a program
Here's the main part. There are many different kinds of programs available for studying abroad. If your school has a study abroad office, then talk to them! It is very helpful to work one-on-one with an advisor to help choose a program that suits you well financially and academically. Even if you still are not sure if you want to study abroad, still talk to your advisor. You may change your mind after finding a program!
Things to think about:
- Duration: Do you want to go for a year or semester? Will it delay graduation?
- Location: Choose a country you want to live in. Will you want to learn the language?
- Courses: Talk to your advisor to see if the course is transferable to your home college.
- Program: Make sure the program is something you want to do. It is part of the experience.
Here are some websites that my school showed me! Search for the right program with these!
(Only UC Students)
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If you are a student at a UC (University of California) and get financial aid, UCEAP is the best for you!
Also, while most programs will still allow you to graduate in 4 years, you may end up wanting to travel abroad somewhere that doesn't perfectly match your academic needs. This may lead to a delayed graduation, but it may also give you the experience you are looking for. Decide for yourself if it's worth it.
Also, while most programs will still allow you to graduate in 4 years, you may end up wanting to travel abroad somewhere that doesn't perfectly match your academic needs. This may lead to a delayed graduation, but it may also give you the experience you are looking for. Decide for yourself if it's worth it.
For some help, click here to see how I planned my study abroad experience at Tohoku University.
Third : financial planning
The biggest myth of study abroad: "Studying abroad is too expensive." Not True!
There are thousands of different study abroad programs and each of them will have a different cost. Honestly, some may be more expensive than your current college; but there will also be many that will cost the same. You can also get help from financial aid, grants, and scholarships! Just keep applying!
You will be able to transfer financial aid if you qualify, but the amount will depend on your program.
UCEAP will allow you to transfer all of your financial aid into your program, making it the best choice.
Other programs will allow you to transfer most of your financial aid, but not institutional aid. (Still a lot)
If you are not on financial aid, then the effort it will take to pay for your program will depend on the cost of the program (which in most cases will be the same you are paying for your current tuition).
Things that will affect the costs of your program will be living situation, traveling expenses, and food. However, these are all things that would affect the cost of your home college as well. Keep in mind that because you are traveling to another country, you will naturally spend more money because of shopping, eating out, and making trips.
You can also apply for grants! Talk with your school's advisor to see their availability. Grants are money that you get awarded and do not have to pay back. It's free money! You just need to apply for them!
Finally, there are scholarships! Tons of scholarships are given out to students who specifically study abroad! These can range from $500 to $10,000! The important thing about scholarships is:
There are thousands of different study abroad programs and each of them will have a different cost. Honestly, some may be more expensive than your current college; but there will also be many that will cost the same. You can also get help from financial aid, grants, and scholarships! Just keep applying!
You will be able to transfer financial aid if you qualify, but the amount will depend on your program.
UCEAP will allow you to transfer all of your financial aid into your program, making it the best choice.
Other programs will allow you to transfer most of your financial aid, but not institutional aid. (Still a lot)
If you are not on financial aid, then the effort it will take to pay for your program will depend on the cost of the program (which in most cases will be the same you are paying for your current tuition).
Things that will affect the costs of your program will be living situation, traveling expenses, and food. However, these are all things that would affect the cost of your home college as well. Keep in mind that because you are traveling to another country, you will naturally spend more money because of shopping, eating out, and making trips.
You can also apply for grants! Talk with your school's advisor to see their availability. Grants are money that you get awarded and do not have to pay back. It's free money! You just need to apply for them!
Finally, there are scholarships! Tons of scholarships are given out to students who specifically study abroad! These can range from $500 to $10,000! The important thing about scholarships is:
APPLY FOR ALL OF THEM
- There are many scholarships for study abroad students, so keep searching for them!
- Talk to your advisor to see if your school offers any scholarships that you qualify for.
- All scholarships will help, no matter how small! ($500 for a 2 page essay? Think about it)
- Don't be scared of long or complicated applications, the chance and opportunity is worth it.
- Search for scholarships that are specific to the country you are going to.
- Going to a writing center helps. Find a writing center to help with your essays.
- Always make multiple revisions of your essay! Your first one is never the best one.
- Most of the time, you can reuse parts of your scholarship essays. Follow the prompt!
- Scholarships are always beneficial, even for financial aid students!
- It will not change your financial aid package, but will usually replace your loans.
Want to know how much I got from scholarships? Check out my success here.
Most of the time, you can find a list of potential scholarships from your school's advisor. You can also find some using a few quick google searches. Here are a few scholarships on this website.
Most of the time, you can find a list of potential scholarships from your school's advisor. You can also find some using a few quick google searches. Here are a few scholarships on this website.
lastly : Take your time
Now that you have chosen your program and have an idea of how to fund it, just start applying. You will have to stay in close contact with your advisor and the program you are working with to ensure that all application materials are properly completed on time. They will give you the rest of the instructions.
Something to keep in mind:
Planning your experience abroad can definitely get long and stressful. You will likely encounter problems and hurdles that may prevent you from getting the most out of your experience, but always remember that the trip itself will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is worth it to persevere!
Be patient with the application process and dedicate your time to apply for scholarships. Maybe some classes you wanted to take abroad turned out to be non-transferable at your home college. Maybe the cost of the trip is a lot higher than you expected. Things like this will happen.
Talk with your advisor, keep researching new possibilities, consult with a friend. You're getting ready to take a trip that can be halfway across the world, living a new life in a foreign country. It can be taxing.
But don't give up. If you have come this far in preparing to go abroad, then it means you want to go.
Take your time so that you can enjoy the trip and make it memorable. Plan things out so that you can get what you want, even if it means sacrificing one thing for another.
Be patient with the application process and dedicate your time to apply for scholarships. Maybe some classes you wanted to take abroad turned out to be non-transferable at your home college. Maybe the cost of the trip is a lot higher than you expected. Things like this will happen.
Talk with your advisor, keep researching new possibilities, consult with a friend. You're getting ready to take a trip that can be halfway across the world, living a new life in a foreign country. It can be taxing.
But don't give up. If you have come this far in preparing to go abroad, then it means you want to go.
Take your time so that you can enjoy the trip and make it memorable. Plan things out so that you can get what you want, even if it means sacrificing one thing for another.
Things might not go perfectly, but enjoy what you can get and make it worth the experience.
