Planning for Study Abroad Programs
Study abroad is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Every college student should seriously consider studying abroad before graduation, to both enrich their educational experience and enhance their future opportunities. Taking advantage of your school’s study abroad programs not only adds demonstrated communications skills to your resume, but also teaches valuable lessons about the global community that can’t be learned from any other source.
As rewarding as studying abroad can be, though, qualifying for the privilege can be a challenge. Most study abroad programs have lengthy application processes, strict deadlines, and lots of paperwork. If you’re not careful, you could get overwhelmed and lose sight of your goal. But with proper planning, you’ll be on your way to your foreign destination quickly and easily.
Planning for the Program
If a study abroad program is the right choice for you, you’ll find that every program has its own unique way of evaluating, accepting, and preparing worldly students. There are some general tips that you can keep in mind to make sure you’re considering the right details:
- Familiarize Yourself with the Process. Preparation is key, so before you even talk to an advisor, read as much information as you can about your school’s program as it relates to you, your area of focus, your destination, and your preferences. The application process may differ only slightly for different countries or different housing arrangements, but missing a step in the process can put you behind—or even cost you your opportunity.
- Know Your Deadlines. Study abroad programs often involve a lot of qualifying paperwork and several initial deposits, all due on tight schedules that arrive faster than you might think. It’s important to keep track of your due dates and to make sure that all your information is turned in on time. Study abroad programs generally have limited space, and missing a deadline can cause delays and may even threaten your spot on the trip.
- Decide Why You’re Going. Why do you want to study abroad? Have you always wanted to see Paris, or try a traditional Italian meal? Or, do you hope to practice conversation skills with a native Russian speaker? Some applications will ask you to describe your motives for studying abroad as a first step toward your approval. Take the time to collect your thoughts before you apply so that organizing them on paper doesn’t frustrate you later.
- Get to Know Your Professors. Most study abroad programs last for an entire semester, which can be anywhere from four to six months. During that time, you’ll likely be spending a lot of time with the professors that are leading the trip. Get to know them ahead of time! Participate in their classes if you have not already. Doing so can establish a friendly relationship before you leave the country and can help you see eye-to-eye before traveling thousands of miles together.
The most important advice to remember when applying for a study abroad program is to make sure that all of the trip requirements match what you desire. It’s your opportunity—make the most of it by being particular. Make your adventure abroad everything you want it to be. If you’d like more advice about how to enhance your study abroad experience, visit our Preparing for the Trip page.
