Sources of Information for Studying Abroad

There are a myriad of places to go on the Internet for students interested in studying abroad. I will post links to a few below for readers to peruse:

The first place to go is to your college's Study Abroad or International Programs office. They will have information about programs specifically designed to work in conjunction with the curriculum of the college you attend. You can also check with the department that houses your major to see if there are programs specific to your major. (Editor's note: This was how I found the study abroad program I participated in).

If you will be studying at either the University of California or the California State University, then you are in luck because the systems each have overarching programs that are available no matter which campus you attend. Again, check with your individual campus to learn about special campus-specific programs, of which there are plenty.

You can also look at general purpose sites, which link to programs that are offered no matter the college you currently attend. These also have information on the study abroad process, what to expect, how to prepare, how to choose a program, etc.

Some organizations have developed their own programs, which are not necessarily connected to any Universities in the U.S.

Additionally, there are organizations that are dedicated to certain types of abroad experiences, like field studies. This organization works with students interested in science and environmental abroad opportunities.

My advice is that if you have an inkling that studying abroad is something you might like to do, plan ahead. Start talking to your University's study abroad office as soon as you can. Planning is paramount so that you don't increase your time to graduation and are fully prepared for the adventure you will take. I encourage you to find out more and if interested, I highly recommend studying abroad.

Studying Abroad

Studying abroad allows you to travel the world as a student, earn credits toward graduation, get invaluable cultural experience, and have an incredible time doing so. What isn't to like about that? Most colleges and universities have programs that allow students to study in a foreign country while paying the same tuition as they would normally pay. Transportation to and from your country of destination will be the one significant cost beyond typical college expenses. You will also have to pay for housing, which varies widely throughout the world. However, you would most likely be paying for housing anyway.

The limiting factor in studying abroad is one's tolerance for difference. Can you handle living in the third world (most of Africa and parts of Latin America and Asia) or would you feel more comfortable in the developed world (Europe, Australia, as well as parts of Latin America and Asia)? Do you feel comfortable studying in a country where English is not the predominant language? Is a robust nightlife and cultural scene your flavor or would be happy studying somewhere less urban and more rural? It is questions such as these that prospective study abroad students must ask themselves.

Most colleges, including 2-year community (or junior) colleges, offer study abroad programs. If for some reason the college you attend does not offer study abroad programs, there are often people on campus who can point you in the direction of legitimate abroad organizations and programs. In the next post, I will share some online resources for students interested in finding out more about studying abroad.