Study abroad programs are popular with college students for many reasons. A semester abroad may be some students’ first opportunity to leave the country. Other students may see a specific study destination as a benefit to their major, and some simply want to take advantage of the adventure while earning college credit.

Whatever your reasons for considering study abroad, there are several things you should think about before making the commitment. Since this is a pretty big topic, keep an eye out for future posts that will cover some of the finer details of study abroad. For now, I’ll stick with an overview.

Planning Starts Early in Your Academic Career

While most students go abroad during junior year of college, the planning should begin during your freshman year, or as soon as you decide you want to pursue it. Unless study abroad is part of your major, you’ll most likely be satisfying general education requirements in your host country. This isn’t a bad thing. In fact, many study abroad students really appreciate taking their general ed courses from a foreign country’s cultural perspective. However, going abroad later in your academic career means you’ll need to make sure you save those credit requirements for that semester. Also, keep an eye out for courses in your degree plan that are required or only offered select semesters to make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to take them.

If you’re majoring in a language, art history, or international business, study abroad might incorporate classes that apply to your program. It’s important to sit down with your advisor as soon as you begin thinking about a semester abroad so that you can create a plan that facilitates your experience and supports your graduation plan.

Prepare for the Study Abroad Essay

Not all students realize this at first, but most study abroad programs require an application process. Colleges and universities must protect the integrity of their schools, and they also need to maintain relationships with host schools abroad. It’s really important for schools to make sure that students chosen for the program will represent the school well and uphold academic standards.

To prepare for your study abroad application essay, take a look at this article on writing college essays that get noticed. While this essay may be shorter and more focused, the same principles apply. Align your values and interests to what the program is offering, and write about how it will advance your academic and professional goals. Remember, if you just want to travel, you can take a vacation. A study abroad semester is a much more involved experience, so treat it as such in your preparation.

What are the Financial Considerations of Study Abroad?

If your college or university has an affiliated study abroad program, then financial aid and scholarships should be applicable to the program. If you’re looking at a program outside your school, sit down with your advisor and financial aid office to cover all of your bases where costs are concerned. Since there might be additional costs associated with study abroad, even if the program is sponsored directly by your school, do your homework early to find out if you’ll need additional financial aid.

A lesser known cost-related item to consider is how the credits you’ll earn in the program are handled. In some cases, the credits transfer back to your home school, but the grades do not. In other cases, the credits might not be accepted by your program. If you’re concerned about how study abroad will impact your GPA or the length of your academic career, make sure to get all of your questions answered before making such a big commitment. The experience might be worth spending an extra semester in school, but that’s a decision you should be aware you’re making.

Study abroad is often a once in a lifetime experience that students remember as a significant life event. It is an extremely enriching learning opportunity that simply can’t be replicated here at home. I encourage most students and families I work with to at least explore the study abroad program at their potential universities to see what destinations are available and whether or not it could be a great fit. 

If you’re interested in study abroad, but you’re not sure if you’re asking the right questions or doing the right research, schedule a free strategy session with me! We’ll go over your interests and motivations, and I’ll give you some research tips to help you make an informed decision.