It is important that students choose an appropriate study abroad program to get
the most out of an international experience. Because there are a variety of
program types, structures, locations, and requirements?it is worth the time and
effort it takes to find a study program that meets your individual academic and
personal needs.
Study Abroad Programs have distinctive characteristics,
like students, and thus it is important to find the right 搈atch?between the
student and the program. Your friend, or sister, or teacher may have
participated in a program that was 揳bsolutely great?for them, but may not be a
good fit for you. Thus, a glowing recommendation from someone who went on a
program is not necessarily the most appropriate approach to choosing a
program.
?Understand your needs and characteristics before choosing a
study abroad program
?Explore several options and compare program
characteristics
?Choose a study abroad program that fits your needs and
characteristics
Your Needs and Characteristics
Ask yourself these
questions, and get a friend or family member to confer with you on these
topics.
1. What type of courses do you need to take (major requirements,
major electives, general education requirements or lower-division courses,
electives)?
2. What academic topics do you need (and want) to study (only
your major, or a mix of academic disciplines)?
3. Does your home
institution approve experiential courses (ie, internships, field study,
independent study, independent research, service-learning, touring)?
4.
Can you take courses in another language / are you sufficiently
fluent?
5. Do you have beginning or intermediate foreign language
skills?
6. Does your home institution have requirements about the number
of weeks and/or contact hours the courses must fulfill to transfer
credit?
7. Would you feel comfortable living in a fast-paced, urban city
where it is difficult to make friends and interact with locals living in a
city?
8. Do you feel comfortable using public transportation (buses,
taxis, trains)?
9. Would you prefer to live in a community where you can
easily navigate your way, and meet local people?
10. Does the weather
bother you? Have you experienced the type of climate common to the host country
you are considering?
11. Are you a self-starter, outgoing, and
self-motivated, experienced in exploring new/different situations?
12. Do
you prefer functioning in a group with leaders and/or guides making decisions
for you and being surrounded by others much like yourself?
13. Do you
have any dietary, medical or mental health needs?
14. Do you want to
become a 搒pecialist?in one location (language and culture and history and
current events) or do you want a comparative perspective of several different
places and perspectives?
15. Have your friends or family ever called you
揾igh maintenance? Do you have a high level of attention to conveniences,
personal appearance, the newest fads or specific activities?
16. Do you
enjoy camping, hiking, backpacking, 搑oughing it?
17. Do you have a good
sense of how (and if) you will use alcohol in a mature setting? Have you ever
been disruptive of others or put your well-being at risk with
alcohol?
18. Have you ever traveled before? Outside the U.S.? If yes, how
long and where?
19. How long have you ever been away from 揾ome?before,
away from family and friends?
20. What type of leisure activities do you
enjoy? What do you do with your 揻ree-time?
Program Types
Direct
enrollment
Explore colleges and universities in other countries, and directly
enroll in a study abroad program that allows 搕ransient?or
搃nternational?students.
Exchange
Utilize an established relationship
through your school that exchanges students with another designated college or
university.
Program provider
Participate in a program administered by
an organization offering study abroad support
services.
Faculty-led
Participate in a program administered by a U.S.
college or university and taught by a U.S.
professor.
Location
Country
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