Questions to Consider

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Planning

Abroad View has resources and information for studying, interning, working, and volunteering abroad. You should definitely check out these links, but first we encourage you to talk with your academic adviser and with staff in your college’s study abroad office or international programs office. Most study abroad advisers, or even peer counselors (returned study abroad students), can talk with you about your interests, academic curriculum, and career goals in order to help you make the decision that will be best for you.

For some students, taking a traditional academic semester abroad during their junior year is ideal, but for others a summer volunteer or internship experience, or even a meaningful alternative spring break trip, will meet your needs and desires. Many roads lead abroad, and we highly encourage you to think ahead, and carefully, about what promises to be one of the most significant experiences of your life! As you know, an international experience can enrich your undergraduate education, broaden your worldview, deepen your intellectual and personal maturity, foster self-confidence and independent thinking, and enhance your career prospects, among many other things. Considering the following questions and factors will help you make a well informed decision.

The Big Questions

» What kind of overseas experience am I looking for?
» Am I interested in a work, volunteer or internship program instead of an academic program?
» What do I hope to gain from the experience? Am I working toward academic or career goals? Am I using this as a time to explore new academic or vocational interests?

The Nitty Gritty

» Is there a GPA requirement?
» Is there a language requirement?
» Is there an academic concentration requirement?
» Who runs or sponsors the program?
» Is the program approved by my college or university; does it need to be?

Academics

» What are my academic goals?
» Is it an option for me to enroll directly in a foreign university or do I prefer to go abroad through a program?
» What is the focus of the program I am considering?
» Do I want or need to earn credit, and how many classes do I need to take to get proper credits?
» Do I need to earn credit toward my major/minor or do I prefer to fill general requirements?
» Do I need an academic adviser to assist with an independent study or research project abroad so that I can get credit?
» How will my work be evaluated and who will be teaching my classes or overseeing my program?

Culture

» Do I want to take classes with local students?
» Do I want to take classes in the local language? Am I fluent enough in the language to do so?
» What opportunities will I have to meet local people and participate in the local community?

Room and Board

» Where will I live: dorm, apartment, homestay?
» With whom will I live - other students from my program or home university, local students, other international students?
» Do I want to be in an urban or rural setting?
» Will I eat meals with my host family, in a university cafeteria, at local restaurants, cook for myself?
Do I have dietary restrictions to consider?

Scheduling

» Should I go abroad during the academic year or should I go during the summer?
» What is the the best year for me to go abroad? What is the best semester?
» How long should I stay abroad?
» Do I want to make time to travel, work, volunteer, or conduct research abroad before or after my program?
» Does the foreign university have a different academic calendar than my home university? How will this affect me?

Costs and Financing (also see Money Matters)

» What does the program cost?
» What does the cost include (room and board, books, transportation, insurance, etc.)? What are the exact expenses I will need to cover beyond tuition?
» Does my home university, host university, or program offer scholarships?
» Is my home university's financial aid transferrable?
» Are there grants or scholarships available? Can I work in my host country?