Studying abroad can be the most exciting experience a college student has. The chance to travel overseas, possibly learn a new language and interact in a new culture has all kinds of possibilities. Before a student travels overseas, there are a few things they may want to consider when choosing their destination and the program they enroll in.
Students who want to engage in this type of study should consider that they must qualify for the program they want to enroll in. Some programs require that students carry a GPA of at least 2.50, but other programs that have the most interest may require a GPA of at least 3.0. Often, these programs will require one or more letters of recommendation, and an intent or purpose of study statement.
The language requirements vary from program to program. If you want to study abroad in a country that speaks English, there are obviously no language requirements. However, many programs for study abroad do have language requirements. You may need to be majoring in the language or demonstrate a clear proficiency. Still other programs offer courses in English for participants who travel to non-English speaking countries, or students may want to enroll in a program that is focused on language acquisition.
Students who want to study overseas will need to have a fairly clear idea of what they want to do, where they want to go, and what they want to study. It takes a certain amount of advance planning to apply for, receive acceptance, and get ready for a semester or year in another country. As a general rule, each program has clear application deadlines that are not negotiable. Students should plan on making their final application packets ready about six months before they want to travel.
It's also a good idea when choosing your overseas program to find one that suits your academic needs. Since you will be studying for credit, you need to choose a program that either dovetails in with your major course of study, or that can help you fulfill your general education requirements. If you are fulfilling major obligations and not general education requirements, it's a good idea to speak to the academic advisor of your department so that you don't spend time and money on overseas study that won't help you graduate.
There are other considerations to take into account. You need to decide whether or not you want to live with a host family or in a dormitory with other students. If you are interested in participating in a program that caters largely to American students, how much interaction do you want with your peers? If you are proficient in the language of your host country, are you interested in living in an apartment on your own with little to no supervision? These are all questions that need to be seriously considered before any decisions are made about your program of study in another country.
Study abroad programs are not free, and in fact, they can be quite costly. However, there are ways to help mitigate those costs. For example, many financial aid packages like the Stafford loan can be applied to the cost of many approved study programs, depending on your school's policy regarding learning in a country not your own. Additionally, many programs offer scholarships to help defray costs for participants. There are more scholarship awards available to students who are willing to participate in programs in underdeveloped countries or that are largely centered on volunteerism by participants.
Students who participate in online course in other areas not only enrich their lives, but also their employment opportunities. According to some executives, a study abroad experience is an important factor when evaluating candidates who are seeking entry-level positions. More than 67% of surveyed executives believed that the cultural diversity experience that comes from a program overseas via online classes distinguishes job candidates from other applicants.
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