Studying abroad is a great experience everyone should have before leaving undergrad. Although, it can be intimidating if you have never traveled outside of the U.S before. Many people also have the misconception that studying abroad is too expensive and impossible to afford. However, this is far from the truth. Many international providers give scholarships to students and the State Department gives out scholarships to pell grant recipients. Studying abroad can be an amazing experience if you take the time to plan, apply for funding and take these important things into consideration:
Accomodations & Location. Traveling to a different region during certain times of the year can be miserable, especially if the country has no air conditioning. I learned this the hard way when I traveled to France this summer during the heatwave. I had never considered that most of Europe did not have air conditioning when I was making my travel plans. Reflecting on this I definitely would have gone during a cooler time.
Course Load. Be intentional about choosing classes that won’t be too much of a strain on you. There’s nothing worse than arriving in a beautiful country and then realizing you have to spend all your time inside studying. Try and fulfill your language course requirements if you have any because remember you are there to study. During a study abroad trip it can be very easy to go full vacation mode. Many students skip classes during their semester abroad and face consequences at their home institution. Avoid this pitfall by choosing an enjoyable course schedule.
Funding. Studying abroad is expensive, like really expensive. However, there are many ways to fund your trip so don’t be discouraged.. While choosing a program and finding an international provider to facilitate your trip you will notice companies offering cheaper packages to more remote and less well-known locations. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, so this can be a good option if you don’t mind being in a more remote area. But please do not choose this if you really want to experience a major city. It might be a cheaper option but you will only be disappointed. To ensure you have the best experience during your study abroad trip, you should apply for scholarships as possible. Each study abroad provider offers scholarships for each program and The State Department offers the Gilman Scholarship to undergraduate students who receive Federal Financial Aid. For more information visit https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/