If you are interested in studying abroad, you can agree that finding the perfect country for you is the toughest part. The world is so big, and there are so many beautiful places to choose from! So how do you narrow down and make a final decision? I will give you some questions that you should ask yourself before making your final decision on where to go! I chose to study abroad in Bangkok, Thailand for the Fall 2016 semester, and here are some of the questions that I asked myself before choosing my location:
What kind of weather do you enjoy most?
* Weather is important. You would not want to spend 4 months in a country that you are uncomfortable in. If you enjoy warm and tropical climates, you would not want to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan during their fall semesters because it gets super cold. It snows! So choosing to go there during the spring semester would be better. Or you can choose a different country like Thailand, South Africa, or Jamaica, where it is hot all year around!
How expensive is the country?
* If you are from a first world country like the U.S., you can second that it is expensive! Other locations like Japan, Australia, or Europe are expensive as well. Do you not mind spending tons of money as long as you create lasting memories? Or would you like to get a bang for your buck? Countries like Thailand are super cheap. You can get a meal for $1, a soda for about 23 cents, and you get to travel to another Southeast Asian country, like Laos or Vietnam, for about $58 round trip! Yes, I know!
Are you interested in learning a new language?
* In most popular destinations, they speak more English than most. If you have no desire to learn a new language, than you may want to stay in the more westernized parts of the world. Or places that speak English in the tourist areas! But picking up a new language is always fun. Step out of your comfort zone and try it!
Those were just three of the few important questions that I asked myself before studying abroad. Without elaborating, here are a few more questions that you may want to ask yourself that may help you narrow down your choices:
* Do I want to study in a fast paced city? Or a more slow paced environment?
* What kinds of foods do I enjoy? What kind am I willing to try?
* Do I want to volunteer helping the underprivileged?
* Do I want an internship?
* What in the world do I really want to see?
I hope that this was helpful, and I wish to hear where everyone chooses to study! :)