11 Stages Of Studying Abroad College
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

11 Stages of Studying Abroad

There's a process that everyone goes through in order to study abroad, with some of the steps being official and others more personal.

Sarah Avdakov
Oct 29, 2018
The Ohio State University
121
https://www.pexels.com/photo/ball-shaped-blur-close-up-focus-346885/
Pexels

Studying abroad is something that is very common across colleges around the world, and it's even more common for people who are studying a language. There's a process that everyone goes through in order to study abroad, with some of the steps being official and others more personal. Whether the steps are official or not, they all add to the experience.

1. Choosing to study abroad

You first have to decide to go abroad. Whether or not you know where you want to go, you first make the decision to leave the country. Normally people come to college, and this is one of the things that they're most sure that they want to do in some way or another. Choosing to study abroad is an easy choice to make, the planning is the hard part.

2. Choosing a program

Once you know that you want to leave the country, then you have to figure out exactly where you want to go. There are certain programs that you'll be eligible for depending on what your major is or what classes you are planning to take when out of the country. After looking at all of your options, you get to pick what country and city that you want to study in.

3. Applying 

While most programs admit everyone, there are still a lot of steps that you have to go through to apply to a study abroad program. You have to make sure that you have the necessary documents in order to be ready to apply. If you don't do everything on your application right, then it is hard to be accepted and go abroad.

4. Buying tickets

This stage is when it started to feel real for me. In addition to being one of the most stressful steps, it was one of the most exciting. I was finally able to say that I was for sure going to Spain, but at the same time, I knew when my deadlines were for packing and anything else that I needed to get done before studying abroad.

5. Packing

Packing in one of the most important parts of any travel, and my least favorite stage. You have to get everything together before you leave, especially if it's going to be something as long as a study abroad. While you can buy things while you're in another country, it's also important that nothing important is forgotten. It's a balance between bringing too much and bringing so little that you can't survive for a few days if you can't go shopping.

6. Traveling

Traveling to another country is hard. It's a long plane ride, and odds are you don't have a direct flight. Travel days are excited and exhausting. It's wonderful to be going someplace new, but your body will feel like it has been up for over a day especially since you don't really get a full night's sleep on the plane. Getting to where you're going after a day of travel is rewarding, but daunting when you think about it from the start.

7. Starting classes

Even though you're in another country, you're still technically taking classes. While some places give you a few days to adjust, you still start classes within the first week of being there. Starting classes is super interesting because it's a way that makes the program official. You're in a country studying things that you want to study about in a new place, which is a feeling that means a lot when starting your study abroad.

8. Halfway through the program

At this point in the program, you've adjusted to your new schedule, but you still feel like there are a ton of things to do and time to do them. Halfway through the program is the point where you're comfortable in the city that you're living, but you're also still excited to explore the city and country more.

9. The last full day in the country

The day before flying back is bittersweet. It's exciting to go back home and see people that you've missed, but it's also hard to leave a country that you've spent so much time in. You're not only saying goodbye to the experience but also people and places that you've come to love.

10. The trip back

The trip back is even longer than the trip there, mostly because you have less excitement surrounding this trip. Not only are there no new experiences to look forward to, and you also know that responsibilities are waiting for you when you get back. When I came back from Spain I had two weeks before I knew I had to go back to college, so I knew that a lot of last-minute tasks that needed to get done once I came back.

11. Reflecting on your experience

When you come back, everyone asks about your trip. Not only do you want to share all of your pictures and talk about every adventure you had; it's also important to think about what the experience meant to you. After all, it is your experience, and everyone's study abroad is different. You're going to have different goals and expectations than other people, and it's important to think about those things in order to adjust back to normal life after the study abroad.

college
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

Siena College
11744
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
small towns
Relationships

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you.

University of New Haven
288122
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
87297
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
149882
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
53514
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments