The fall is usually the time when students begin looking into study abroad for the following year. Whether you want to travel in the fall, summer, or even spring at SCU, we are lucky enough to have tons of options. No matter your major, if studying abroad is something that interests you, you should look into it because chances are, there is some program that will fit into your schedule and will allow you to graduate on time. With so many options, the application process can get a bit overwhelming. So, here are some things you should consider when you are deciding where to apply to study abroad.
Cost
Traveling to another country can get very costly, so it is very important to acknowledge tuition and general living fees of a program. SCU’s website has options to filter programs based on the different levels of cost for each option. If you know cost is going to weigh very heavily in your decision, then be sure to only look at the programs within your budget before you fall in love with a program that is just not going to be financially feasible.
Weekend Excursions
A lot of people like to make the most of their study abroad experience by traveling to other cities and countries on the weekends. If this is something that sounds fun to you, then be sure to take into consideration the location of your program. If it is a super isolated city or area, it might be too difficult to go on weekend adventures. If there are places you know you want to see, then make sure getting there is possible (and also not too expensive).
Language
If the thought of going to another country totally scares you, then one possibility to consider is going to an English speaking area. If people around you are speaking your language it might be a bit easier for you to feel at home in a foreign place. On the other hand, if you love challenges and want to really immerse yourself in a totally different culture, going to a country where you don’t speak the language could be an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Housing
Study abroad programs come with all kinds of different housing options. Different options appeal to different people. If you know you need a roommate to keep you from feeling lonely, then look for a program that houses students together in a dorm style situation. If you are horrible at finding your way around new places, you might want to pick a program where the housing is very close to where you take classes and other important things like the grocery store. Pick whatever works best for you, but definitely take housing into account because it will be your new home for a few months.
Weather
Weather is another thing you should consider before picking a program. If you absolutely hate the gloom and it depresses you then there are some places in Europe you might want to avoid. If you don’t want to have to buy a ton of new clothes, try to find some place with a climate similar to that of your hometown. Also be sure to take into account what time of year you are going to be traveling. Unlike Claradise, some places have drastically different seasons.
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