The Cost Of Studying Abroad
We cant overlook the topic of finances, of course. When you identify some programs that might be of interest, you may find that they end up being cheaper than staying at your college for a semester or even an entire academic year.
Investigate all of the following:
- Outdoors camps
- Camps with a focus on academic learning and excellence.
Then figure out your budget and start to research. There is a lot of information on-line including reviews.
Most programs for young people do not give college credit so the procedures are much more simple.
Study Abroad In The United States
Studying abroad in the United States is for a mobile global education and intercultural awareness building opportunities. Studying abroad is determined in the United States by political rationales of national security and foreign policy. The number of students studying abroad represents only about 1% of all students enrolled at institutions of higher education in the United States.
In 2012, 764,495 international students studied in the United States. During the same time period, 274,000 US students studied abroad. This imbalance has been referred to as an “international education deficit”.
While the data from the Open Doors Report is still wide-ranging, it is not entirely inclusive of all study abroad student data that had previously been included in the annual reports. As of 2013, according to the Open Doors’ FAQs regarding the question of ‘Who is counted in the U.S. Study Abroad survey?’: “students who travel and take courses abroad that are not tracked by their home institution are not reported in Open Doors, nor are students who are enrolled overseas for full degrees from non-U.S. institutions.”
Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Each semester, Franciscan University of Steubenville brings 150-200 students to live and learn in a 14th century Carthusian monastery in Austria. Classes are taught by Franciscan University professors and students will have weekly travel opportunities all over Europe to such places as Salzburg, the home of Mozart, beautiful Vienna, and the castles of Germany. Students at Franciscan University also have the opportunity to choose a study abroad program at Oxford or to work with professors to design their own study abroad program based on their major and interests. All in all, Franciscans study abroad program offers an intimate setting, excellent education, and life-changing experience.
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What You Should Know Before Studying Abroad
Even if you’ve traveled internationally before, studying abroad is an entirely different experience and that’s partially because of pesky practical matters, like obtaining a student visa. You should also prepare for the less tangible aspects of studying abroad, like an emotional journey that flings you from excitement to homesickness.
Instagram photos might make studying abroad seem like a dreamy adventure. In reality, the experience comes with some hurdles. Many students begin with an initial enthusiasm, but that might turn into anxiety before departure and homesickness after landing. Culture shock can also prove intimidating.
How do you deal with this cocktail of feelings? To beat homesickness, get involved at your host institution. Usually universities organize events for international or new students. In England, for example, students can get to know each other through Freshers Week social activities at the start of the year. Plus, look for international or expat groups on Facebook, which often hold regular events. Keeping yourself busy and making new friends won’t leave enough time for you to wallow inside your dorm room.
How much does it cost to study abroad? That depends on your program. Costs can match or exceed American universities’ tuition rates, and students need to pay for plane tickets, too. That said, there are several ways to lower those expenses.
What About High School
Not in college yet? No problem! You still may be able to travel overseas for classes or volunteer projects as a high school student. Not everyone goes to college either, so this might be your best chance to explore some of the world before getting a job. Many high schools have summer study abroad or volunteering opportunities, you just have to ask about them. Check out some of the resources below too.
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Enroll Directly With A University Overseas
Another way to study abroad is by directly enrolling in a university overseas. Rather than going through an organized program with your home school or a third-party, you can directly enroll for a semester, year, or full degree at a university abroad.
Surprised to hear you can attend school in a different country even if youre not a citizen there? Yep, many colleges and universities abroad actually welcome international students with open arms! And thats just one of the numerous benefits of direct enrollment.
Do note, however, that if you’re applying for a university that doesn’t provide courses in English, you’ll have to already have a pretty good grasp of the local language. Not to worry: were one step ahead and rounded up a list of international universities that teach in English. Just be sure the international universitys credits are transferable if youd like to complete your degree at your home school.
Best For Language Learning: Spain
- Top universities: University of Barcelona , Autonomous University of Madrid , Autonomous University of Barcelona
- Average cost of tuition for a semester : between $450 and $2,375
- Average monthly cost of living excluding rent: $726
As the birthplace of the Spanish language, Spain is a country with much to offer students hoping to improve their linguistic skills. The country offers an expansive history, sporting attractions, and cultural sites to visit. Spaniards are proud of the cultural, literary, and artistic traditions so study abroad participants will have no shortage of opportunities to practice. Compared to other European countries, Spain’s level of English is fairly low so although it is improving, foreigners who attempt to speak Spanish to locals will be appreciated for their efforts.
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Easiest College Majors For Students With Certain Talents
Its also worth noting that some majors will appear simple to some people if they have a specific ability or a long-standing interest in them. Of course, deciding on a degree based on these considerations is purely subjective. Before determining which program best meets your academic and career goals, think about your abilities and passions.
Start by considering which subjects you excelled in throughout high school and make a list of all your extracurricular activities. Speaking with some of your previous instructors and/or the school guidance counselor for assistance in determining which areas suit you best may also be valuable.
Maths/Accounting
Accounting and mathematics are disciplines that some individuals simply understand. Mathematically gifted students are likely to have excelled in advanced geometry, trigonometry, and calculus studies in high school. They frequently love dealing with numbers and can recognize patterns in data.
Fine Arts
Fine arts and design talent can come naturally or as a result of a lot of practice. Even innate ability needs to be refined, thus those who are interested in this field spend a lot of time working on creative projects. During high school, they are likely to excel in arts-related studies and may also gravitate toward fine arts clubs.
Biology
Computer Science
English
Exercise Science
Foreign Language
Graphic Design
Music
Visual and Performing Arts
Studying Abroad As A Sophomore
Most universities require that you declare a major by the end of your sophomore year. Studying abroad as a sophomore gives you the chance to experiment with your interests and take classes that normally wouldnt have been available to you before you lock in your major.
Youll also have two more years of school after you return to fulfill the remaining course requirements you need, so theres not as much pressure to find the right combination of course equivalencies.
Personally, my second year of college was when I felt like I truly settled into university life and found the social and extracurricular groups that would stay with me beyond my studies. By going abroad during your sophomore year, you risk missing out on nurturing the friendships you began and cultivating the interests you began dabbling in as a freshman.
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How To Study Abroad
From application to airplane and all the way back, were here to take the mystery out of how to study abroad.
Start with research of your college or universities study abroad policies, available scholarships, and study abroad programs. As questions come up along the way, our IES Abroad Representatives are here for you. Before you know it, youll be ready to apply for your potentially life-changing study abroad adventure.
Choosing to study abroad can be a huge decision, but we firmly believe its one worth making. Browse our guide of resources including virtual tours, student blogs, course syllabi, and more to help you make the most informed decision.
Which Countries Are Best For Studying Abroad
According to Open Doors, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain are the top three countries for studying abroad. France is also a popular choice â particularly among art history and design students. Outside of Europe, China, Japan, and Mexico are leading destinations, partially due to their prominence in American history and culture.
However, the best study abroad destination varies based on each student’s personal interests and professional or academic goals. Learners can narrow down the list of available programs by determining whether a program fulfills degree requirements. Students can also choose the best study abroad program based on tuition, available scholarships, and overall cost of living in a potential destination.
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Tips To Keep Costs Down
- Limit eating out at restaurants.
- When searching for housing, look for a place with kitchen access. Exploring a foreign grocery store provides a unique cultural experience and saves money.
- Book flights separately.
- Some study abroad programs allow students to choose between booking their own flights or purchasing their flights through the institution. Learners can search for cheaper flights on their own or apply airline points to lower the cost.
- Spend a few nights at a hostel.
- When booking extra leisure weekend trips, consider staying at a hostel instead of a hotel. Make sure to bring sheets or towels if the hostel charges extra for them and a lock for valuable belongings.
- Walk or use public transport for sightseeing.
- Many cities feature safe and affordable bus and subway systems. Save money by walking rather than taking a taxi, Lyft, or Uber.
- Limit cell phone data usage.
- Most cell phone providers charge for international data on a day-by-day basis. On days when you do not need your phone to navigate, turn your data off temporarily. You can also purchase a prepaid sim card and use it only for emergencies.
- Study abroad with a friend and split the costs.
- Traveling with a buddy offers safety in numbers and lowers the cost. Students can split the price for car rentals, groceries, overnight accommodations, and extra baggage fees. They can also take turns using cell phone data.
Tessa Cooper
University Of San Diego
The Madrid Center is the University of San Diegos first, permanent, international location. It was inaugurated on November 17, 2014, and is located in the heart of Madrid, just steps from the famous Prado Museum. This is the location of USDs semester abroad program in Madrid, which offers similar courses to those offered at USD and with on-site USD faculty and staff. Students may fulfill their general education course requirements during the day, and then relax in the evenings gazing on the works of El Greco, Titian, and Peter Paul Rubens.
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How Long Do Study Abroad Programs Take
The length of time you spend studying abroad will depend on the program and level of degree youre undertaking. Generally, an undergraduate degree will take three or four years of full-time study , while a graduate degree such as a masters degree or equivalent will take one or two years. A doctoral program will usually take three to four years.
At many universities across the world, there is also the option of studying abroad for a shorter period of time. Student exchange programs allow you to study abroad for a year, a semester or even just a few weeks. Information about these shorter programs should be available on the website of the main university you plan to enroll at, as well as the university youd like to be hosted by.
Where In The World Should I Study
Choosing where in the world you wish to study is not always an easy task. As well as your own personal interests, you should think about practicalities such as the costs of studying in that country , your graduate career prospects and your overall safety and welfare.
You should also think about what sort of lifestyle you wish to have during your studies. Do you want to live in a big city or a small university town? Do you want arts and culture on your doorstep or world-class sporting facilities? Whatever your interests, be sure to match them up with your study destination so that you really give yourself the best chance of loving your international experience.
If you need help making up your mind, take a look at some of the most popular destinations Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US or use the links below to view our university rankings and full range of country guides:
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Do I Need To Apply For A Student Visa
Student visas are a big question for those who want to know how to study abroad, though not all international students will need one. If youre an EU citizen planning to study in another EU country, for instance, you dont need a visa.
However, as a rule of thumb, if you come from outside of your chosen countrys geographical region/continent, you will probably need to apply for a student visa. This usually only applies to longer periods of international study if youre participating in a shorter exchange, last three months or less, a tourist or visitor visa may suffice.
To find out for sure, check either with your chosen university or the government travel website of your country of study. For information on how to apply for a student visa, see the articles listed below.
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Take The Opportunity To Study Abroad
To study abroad, you usually have the option of going for a semester exchange or a full-fledged study abroad program.
In an exchange program, you dont have to pay any additional tuition fees for attending the university abroad. Universities have alliances with other universities around the world which allow students to travel to different countries and study at a partner university. Your course credits get transferred back to your home university.
You also have the option of directly applying to a university in a foreign country. In this case, you would have to bear all the costs related to your education.
For studying abroad, many universities require a language certificate. You would also need to provide documents like a letter of recommendation, a statement of purpose or study abroad essay, your CV, high-school transcripts among others.
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Meet With Your Advisor And The Campus International Education Office
For American college students, the first step can be checking with your academic department to see if they have any preferred destinations.
You should also check with the international education office at your institution. From one of these sources, most students can find a place that captivates their interest and if not, you can take ideas to them.
When Do You Want To Go Abroad
If you know when you can actually get away , use the select a term menu to find year round or undergrad-term specific study abroad programs. This also gives you some food for thought. Using your spring break to learn about the rainforest in Brazil or learn French in France might be a pretty great way to spend your time.
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What Majors Allow You To Study Abroad
Most college students have the opportunity to study abroad. For learners pursuing a degree in the arts and humanities, spending time overseas may be obligatory. Literature and history majors can study European romanticism or West African burial practices by traveling to the countries where those traditions first appeared.
STEM students should also consider studying abroad. Many companies conduct international business, and an engineering or marketing internship with a multinational corporation can help graduates demonstrate experience working on diverse project teams. STEM majors typically take general education courses overseas, earning credits they can transfer back home.
Get Fluent In Another Language
Learning a language is hard, and using vocabulary flashcards and memorizing grammar tables can feel tedious after a while. No one studies a language for the joy of flipping through flashcards. You learn a language to speak it, to connect with people.
Immersion learning is considered by many the best way to learn a second language. This is largely because being immersed in another language gives you the most exposure to a variety of vocabulary and grammar so you can learn how that language works.
If you are studying a language in college, a study abroad opportunity is perfect for cementing your knowledge and helping you to grow into fluency with your target language.
Immersion can be helpful for learners of all levels. Whether youre just starting out, or youve been studying for years, the sheer range of languages youre exposed to can help you make your next language steps.
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