Have you ever thought about studying abroad? Well, I’m here to tell you that you should do it and that it isn’t too late! Rutgers has over 180 study-abroad programs and over 400 international partnerships. Through the Rutgers Study Abroad program, I was given a chance to attend Ewha Womans University in South Korea. I immersed myself in a different culture, learned new customs, and gained a broader perspective of the world. Studying abroad allows one to travel to new places, explore various landscapes, and experience new things. I have made some of my closest friends from studying abroad and created lifelong memories.
The entire idea of studying abroad can be overwhelming and scary, so I’ve broken the process down for you. Here’s how to get started:
Pictures from Bukchon Hanok Village in South Korea
Applications/Programs
Rutgers University offers many global learning opportunities such as study abroad, service learning, international internships, global research, global online courses, and internships. The first step in planning your study abroad trip is to figure out precisely what you’re looking for and if it is offered at your university. For Rutgers specifically, the applications for Summer, Fall, and full-year programs are due on March 1st of every year. Applications for winter and spring programs are due on October 1st. The study abroad program can take you to Greece, Dubai, Japan, England, Ireland, and many more amazing places. Each program on the Rutgers Global Program website has a section dedicated to summarizing program details. It will include the term, specific dates, the application deadline, minimum GPA needed for the trip and more. It also provides financial information including an estimation of the cost of the program and out-of-pocket costs. This section is quite helpful when coming to a decision on which program best fits you.
Scholarships
A common concern for many are the expenses associated with studying abroad. Yet, Rutgers University has $400,000 in scholarships available for study-abroad students which can help reduce the cost. Finding a scholarship isn’t as tricky as you may think as Rutgers Global has an entire page full of scholarships that can be used for their programs. You can access the page here. They also have finance workshops that will set you up with advisors to begin planning your trip. The list of scholarships includes plenty of internal and external scholarships. I’ve listed some scholarship search engines below so you can start your search!
Search engines for scholarships
IEFA International Education Financial Aid
International financial aid and college scholarship search engine.
International Student Scholarship
College and international scholarships resource for students.
General scholarship search engines.
What to Bring
So, now that we’ve covered how to pick your program, the application, and the ways to fund your trip, let’s talk about what to bring with you! Before I left for South Korea, I was at a complete loss when figuring out what to pack. The first two things I looked at were the weather and the cost. South Korea is generally more affordable. This made the packing process for me much more manageable. I packed light with the intention of buying most of my necessities there. The essentials I packed were my passport, visa, travel itinerary details, medical and travel insurance proof, and other important documents. I also decided to invest in a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. I got the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One. This hurt my wallet a little less.
Other essential items to bring with you that need to be documented are power adapters/converters. You’ll need a few chargers on your trip, whether for your phone, laptop, or tablet, requiring a converter and possibly an adaptor. Depending on the country you go to as well, certain things might be less accessible. For instance, while I was doing my research about South Korea, I read that certain hygiene products, like deodorant, were harder to find and more expensive.
Many of the things you will pack with you depend on the place you go to. I recommend researching the destination of your program and looking into the weather when deciding on the clothes and shoes you want to bring. I also advise that you obtain the currency of the country you are traveling to. You can get the money at embassies, airports, or your bank.
Knowing a few phrases in the local language could also make your trip smoother. Overall, studying abroad provides an opportunity for adventure and travel. From cultural immersion to academic enrichment, personal growth to career development, studying abroad can broaden one’s horizons, develop skills, and provide unique opportunities!