There is lots of think about and decide when choosing where to study abroad. This incredible, unique experience can be overwhelming, so I hope to bring peace and excitement to travel!
When is the best time to study abroad?
I went during the spring semester (February-May). I think this is the best because (depending on where you go) the weather is much nicer. Also, I was able to backpack for 3 months in the summer after the program ended in May.
What program is the best for me?
This is definitely a question for your abroad advisor, but I will try to walk you through my thought process. I knew I wanted to go somewhere where:
- it was easy to travel to different countries
- it was in a city which would allow me to meet new people
- english was spoken pretty frequently
My conclusion after several options and long contemplation was Florence, Italy. Europe is a great place to go because every country is so close and English is spoken frequently. Plus, nothing beats that movie-like feeling of walking through the cobblestone streets and seeing the architecture.
What are the different types of abroad programs?
Now these might not be options for your school but I had about three paths to chose from:
1. Faculty led
- your current university, with their own professors, will take you abroad
- these trips usually 1-3 weeks (in my experience)
2. University affiliated (the one I did)
- two universities that have established a partnership
- you are technically under a different university (when you’re abroad) but all the credits transfer to your home university
- example: I went to UCONN (for four years in America) but my university abroad was ISI Florence; there were several other american schools enrolled in ISI so the people in my classes/apartment were from Florida, New Jersey, Maryland etc.
3. Exchange programs
- stay with host family or…
- enroll in a completely new university for a semester
- i.e. going to Cardiff University (where you live in a dorm on campus surrounded by students who go there full time)
4. Third party organizations (bonus)
- this one is a bit tricky and will need much planning with your advisor but some examples include GIVE volunteers, AIFS, SIT, etc.
- basically, you can get credit abroad (but it might not transfer so double check what your advisor recommends)
- trips can also be a lot shorter (like 2 weeks for credit) as oppose to a whole semester
What do I do about the language barrier?
This clearly depends on which country you decide to go to, but if you are nervous about the language barrier then try an english based country (England, America, Australia, New Zealand etc.) I chose to study abroad in Europe because there was a challenge of learning a new language, yet English was commonly spoken since I was in a major city.
What do I wear?
It is important to do research on the fashion in your study abroad place. Not only is this fun, but if you are living somewhere for a long time it is best to integrate with the culture. The last thing you want to do is wear short-shorts and cropped tank tops when that is clearly disrespectful in some cultures. It’s giving “rob me, I’m an ignorant tourist!” Listen, I’m all about freeing the nip, but not everywhere is as free as America and we need to respect that when we are a visitor in another country.
By choosing to study abroad in Florence, Italy, I knew to pack many neutral colors and layers. Since I planned to backpack after the program ended, I packed many simple and plain statement pieces (like shirts, jackets, light dresses) that could be worn multiple times and were lightweight. I ended up having a large checked bag and a backpack. Many people in my program over packed with three huge checked bags. To save money, I thrifted many of these pieces because it was clearly not my original style. I enjoyed embracing a new part of myself over there. Pinterest is great for this exploration.
How do I budget for study abroad?
I honestly didn’t budget too much during my abroad program. I worked hard as a waitress in my hometown and saved up a couple thousand dollars before going. My program said to budget about $50 a day, obviously you can do much less but I did not want to limit myself because I was only going to be 21 in Italy once! You will save money if you cook your own food at your apartment, which I did at times, however nothing beats those authentic dinners with friends and drinks!
Is it hard to balance school and travel?
I did experience burn out at times because I forgot to relax. Studying abroad for a semester seems long (3 months) but goes by so fast. We had classes Monday-Thursday and then every thursday night we took off to a new part of the country (“we” meaning people I met in my program – remember I went there not knowing anyone at first). This was fun for the first month, but after trying to balance school, travel, and late nights, I took a few weekends to just stay in my apartment and relax. This reset is exactly what I needed and I got to explore my city even more. I know you are excited and want to see everything, but don’t feel guilty for doing simple pleasures in a new city like going to a coffee shop, or laying in the sun by the river for an afternoon.
Can’t I just travel there on my own for cheaper?
This is very true and this was my exact reasoning as to why I didn’t want to study abroad my last semester senior year and miss out on everything. When I was making my decision, one of my friends brought up a point which changed my whole perspective. I came to the realization that I can travel to any of these places, but to LIVE there was a completely different experience. Having my own apartment, my own morning routine, really getting to know the city, people in my program, and the locals was a much different experience than when I was backpacking. You end up feeling like a local, and completely romanticizing your day. It is the perfect balance, you are the main character, and every day feels like a movie.
What if I don’t find the right people?
This is a common theme in life- the what-ifs! What if it doesn’t work out? What if I don’t click with anyone? These are valid fears, but you receive the energy you give out. I always tell myself before a big change in my life occurs that “the universe always has my back and is working for me, not against me.” This mindset shift will allow you to go into situations in life with no expectations and trusting that you are on the right path. If one friend group isn’t working out at first, try to branch out and switch to another. In other words, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You will most likely be constantly interacting with students and locals, so you are bound to have someone stick!
What if I get homesick?
Here is the reality- you will get homesick at times. Choosing a program that has other American students was important to me because I was able to lean on them in times of sadness. We were all having the same experience of being in a new country for the first time. The first few weeks I had major culture shock, but my university had plenty of resources and specialists to aid in this transition. Here are some things that helped me to be more present:
- I deleted all social media (especially snapchat) and focused on what was going on in MY life, not other people halfway across the world
- I scheduled weekly calls with friends and family from home
- I did activities I liked doing at home such as cooking, bike rides, going to the gym, and walking barefoot/earthing
- I kept busy and planned upcoming trips which made me excited
- I reminded myself that these feelings were temporary and I would be home before I knew it
- I openly expressed when I was feeling homesick and my new friends there resonated and supported me. We would go to dinner or walk around in the cobblestone streets to remind myself that “OMG I’m in Italy!!”
How has COVID impacted study abroad programs?
I have been trying for 2 years to go abroad (2019-2021) and year after year it got canceled. I was extremely discouraged, but the final opportunity I had was spring semester senior year. There were still very strict regulations in place such as testing for COVID and N95 masks worn at all times. Throughout the semester, these restrictions slowly started to lift and it didn’t seem to impact my experience much. I am sure by now (2023) everything is “back to normal” but keep yourself updated on specific countries before committing!
Some final thoughts …
I think studying abroad is an incredible, life changing experience. It can be very scary at first to be thousands of miles from home, but it was honestly one of the best things I have ever done. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and I got to experience a new culture and environment. Honestly, I know it’s cliche but words can not even describe my experience so you should try it for yourself! I’ll end it on this though, you will never regret going, sure there will be hiccups when your there, but when you come back home you will be like “wow, I can’t believe I did that.” All these memories are waiting for you…go get what is yours.
much love, peace & vibez 2 u & all beings everywhere
-EC <3