Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity offered to UNH students that allows them to step out of their comfort zone to experience and immerse themselves in a completely new and foreign culture.
There’s nothing more appealing than leaving the ice-cold UNH campus for the winter and heading to the warmth of Australia or Spain.
Tons of students are getting ready to pack their bags and head right on out of here for a fun-filled semester – But before any of the fun stuff is possible you must experience the excruciating, anxiety-ridden process of applying to your program.
- Arriving back for fall semester thinking you have plenty of time to get applications done… and then realizing you dont.When you head back to school in late August, October 1st seems like it’s lightyears away. You will soon realize it’s roughly a month. In that month, you’re going to have to devote all your free time to applications, scholarships, advising appointments, course selections – the list is endless. It seems really overwhelming, especially with adjusting to your new class schedule but the reality of it is a lot easier than the long, attachment-filled email you will receive from study abroad.
- The sudden urge to get your life together (and buy a planner) so you can schedule all your study abroad appointments.Once you get into the swing of things, you’re going to feel the need to plan everything out and write all the important dates down. If you’re anything like me, it will last approximately 4 days. But it’s a nice thought.
- The realization that the urge was short-lived and that you’re already all over running across campus to get papers signed.No matter how many dates you have written down, they’re all going to get mixed up in your head and you’re going to end up rushing from place to place. Study abroad has a lot of requirements because it’s a huge trip and there are so many aspects that need to be taken into account, so expect to be moving from advisor to Dean to study abroad offices for a while. It will feel like a lot, but after October 1st you’re in the clear.
- The mental breakdown you have when you’ve received your fourth email from the study abroad office of the day reminding you of how little time you have left.Study abroad emails do this really fun thing where they freak you out and make you feel like you won’t be able to apply to your program on time. Do not let the persistance of their emails get in your head. Follow your checklists, write down important dates, set reminders and make sure you’re consistently checking your application status. You will be able to manage doing this on your own if you’re proactive and there are plenty of resources on campus that are there to help when you need it. Don’t get too caught up in the time crunch.
- Nearly passing out when you start to fill out the cost estimation planner. It’s no secret that study abroad is expensive – and for good reason. You’re about to live in a foreign country for four months, there are a lot of expenses and costs that need to be covered. When they finally lay it out in front of you, it’s going to be a big number. A number that will probably make you want to curl up in a ball and kiss your bank account goodbye. But just remember all financial aid is applicable to approved and managed programs and there are scholarships available outside of UNH as well. Also put into perspective that it’s roughly the same cost as going to UNH for a semester, with a better view than Durham, NH.
- Nearly passing out again when you realize you have to start making payments before you’re even in a different country.Just tack an extra couple hundred dollars for your deposit fee. And your student visa. Maybe a passport. It’s adding up and it’s terrifying – but again, worth it. This trip is going to be priceless.
- Getting accepted into your program and finally breathing a sigh of relief for all your hardwork.
Anyone who is applying for the upcoming spring semester or has applied for previous semesters knows how stressful it is to sign paper after paper and run all over campus to collect signatures just so you can leave the country. It seems like there’s just one requirement after another that just reiterate things you’ve already done. But nothing is better than being able to breathe that sigh of relief when you receive notification of your acceptance. Finally, all that hardwork, scheduling and applying has paid off and you’re one step closer to experiencing an unforgettable semester. As hectic as it gets, it’s all worth it because there is nothing comparable to the opportunities that study abroad offers.