About a year ago, I attended my first study abroad meeting. Like many others in my year, I longed for the opportunity to learn not only inside but outside the classroom in a place I had never been before.
I planned to spend fall semester of my junior year in Copenhagen, Denmark. As an avid planner, I don't often get thrown off once I set my mind to something. Still, I decided to attend a few different meetings for backup options in case I didn't get accepted to my first choice.
And then I fell equally in love with another program in London. It offered an internship, along with classes that would allow me to go to Shakespeare's Globe for class credit and transfer a Travel Writing course back home to count towards my minor requirement.
Choosing was so hard that I began to entertain the idea of doing both programs. Of course, I didn't think it was possible -- there was no way I could fit in all those credits, and I definitely did not have enough money to pay for all the travels I'd want to do in a whole year. Still, I set up a meeting with the study abroad office to ask if other students had spent the year abroad in the past. It turns out they had, and still graduated on time.
Long story short, with careful consideration, I decided to do both programs, and I am so excited about it. However, I realize there are still a lot of questions and concerns that people have when considering spending the year abroad.
1. My parents will worry about me!
Yes, they probably will. But you're also an adult, and by junior year of college, you'll be more than ready to spend a year away from home. And for those hard nights, there's always FaceTime!
2. I don't have enough money to do all the travels I'll want to do.
Of course, everyone's financial situations are different and it's ignorant to say everyone can afford this experience. However, aside from actual program costs, (many of which are half the price of the tuition for a year at an American university) you can save up for extra travels and expenses you may incur. Take a summer job and save as much as you can from that, ask for money towards your study abroad fund instead of material gifts on your birthday, and plan ahead! Many programs even have trips included with their program fee!
These YouTube channels specialize in travel tips, many of which involve saving money!
3. How will I keep in touch with my friends back home?
Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly available all around the world, so you will likely be able to send a quick iMessage or What's App message from many cafes around the world. Your residence will probably have Wi-Fi that you can use for Skype or FaceTime back home. However, remember that the whole point of studying abroad is to make new friends, and you'll have much more to talk about with your college friends once you're back home if you're not looking at your phone the whole time.
4. Will I be able to transfer all my credits back home?
If you plan in advance, yes! Unless you're changing majors or your particular major has more course requirements than most, you can transfer course credit back home. Just remember to meet with your advisor and speak to an admissions' advisor on the phone about how to ensure your credits will be transferred.
A semester abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but is also one a lot of people are nervous about -- and understandably so! A year abroad comes with even more fears and concerns. But remember that the chance to travel, to learn from a culture that is not your own, is an opportunity few people have. If you feel ready to take on that challenge for longer than just a semester, then do it. It'll be a story you'll talk about for the rest of your life!
