We are entering the season of study abroad: whether that means applying for it, preparing to depart for it, or preparing to come back from it. Whatever stage you are in, it is an exhilarating place to be.
Step 1: Decision making
You did it! You decided that you want to spend a part of your college career abroad! Now if only you could decide when/where you want to go. Think carefully about what you want to gain from study abroad. Do you want to be able to travel a lot? Or is the goal to really get to know the city that you are in? Are you trying to learn another language? Does your major (or college) have certain requirements that are only met by certain locations?
Think about study abroad early, so that you can find the best answers to these questions for you. Everyone is different and there is definitely a program out there that can fit your needs, but it takes time and research. Talk to people who have gone on the program or professors who know about the program, as they might have insights into the program and experience that you did not even think of.
Step 2: Applying
Is my application good enough? Who do I ask for recommendations? What is actually my top choice of location/semester? What is this three year plan that I have to fill out? All of these are pertinent questions to the study abroad application.
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The best advice is to be yourself. You know why you want to go abroad, you know what drew you to that specific program or country. Talk about that!
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Ask the professors who know you best for recommendations. They know your passions and work ethic and can attest to it in writing.
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Reflect back on the experience that you want to have when ranking your study abroad choices. What location/semester will fulfill YOUR dreams?
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The three year plan is not as scary as it sounds. It is not the be all-end all of your college career. It is just ensuring that you are capable of completing what you need to in order to graduate. It shows that you have given serious thought to your decision to study abroad. It is open to change.
Step 3: Waiting. Waiting. And more WAITING.
This is perhaps the hardest part about the study abroad process. The months of waiting involved are very frustrating. Focus on your schoolwork and do not worry about the outcome. It will come around much faster than you might think.
Step 4: The Decision
You Got IN! You are officially going abroad to your top choice! Now you have all of the next steps involved. Plane tickets, registering for classes, visas, medical forms, etc. Stay on top of all of the little things required, because it will make it much easier as the day of your departure approaches.
You did not get in. Do not let this setback stop you from studying abroad at all. There are other options out there for you to study abroad. Try a summer study abroad program. Go on and International Summer Service Learning Program. Apply for a Summer Language Abroad Grant. All of these are options for study abroad and can be truly life changing experiences.
Whatever you end up doing, study abroad is a life changing experience that opens up the world and all that it has to offer to you. Take advantage of this time to go out on a limb and try something new!
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