You’ve heard the call, the whisper of wanderlust that lives inside of us all. …Or you just saw the Pinterest board about studying abroad and now you’re hooked. Either way you are brave and these next steps will be your most critical. There are three questions you need to ask yourself when deciding on just what type of experience you are searching for. First being, where are you going? Then, how long will you be there? And finally, how will you be able to afford this trip?
When trying to figure out where you will be studying abroad, make a list of eight countries that you think you would enjoy. Then, doing your due diligence in research is critical at this point. Search for programs in those eight countries based off general enjoyment in the country, the length of your stay, and the opportunities they are offering. For example, this is my senior year in my undergraduate studies, so instead of doing a semester abroad during my four years, I chose to finish up undergraduate classes and attend the National University of Ireland Galway for my Master’s program. Now my answer appears neat and clean but it is the product of a mess of brochures on my bedroom floor and open tabs on my computer.
There were a number of programs that I had to choose from, from all over the world. I chose my eight countries and narrowed my list by searching for the top schools where their requirements aligned with my needs. I knew I wanted to stay abroad long term, but no more than a year. I needed a broad English program that encompassed a number of different topics within their program rather than just an MFA in creative writing. I needed to be somewhere that felt like home, where I could feel the seasons I have always loved, so that narrowed my list pretty quickly. Once I settled on Ireland, I searched for their top schools and their requirements and amenities. Requirements vary from institution to institution but most of the time they include your GPA, references, and writing sample. Amenities are like swag bags at the Oscars; the school or program that you choose should offer perks. You just have to define what you view as perks; they can be a number of things based on your preferences such as the price tag, the view, or your professors. When the results came, I had chosen The National University of Ireland Galway campus for their broad English program which will take place over the course of a year. Also for their beautiful campus with scenic views; It will be like attending school in a new-age castle. While being taught by amazing professors with a well known program world wide, these are my perks, little things that fit preferences that made choosing their university simple.
Finally what is probably the most important of the questions: how will you be paying for the experience?
Did you know that federal aid can be applied to your study abroad experience? It can, and because financial need is a top reason for not pursuing a study abroad experience, the questions start to boil down to why not? If you have not applied, open up a new tab, and apply for federal aid now; you can’t win if you don’t play. If you have applied and noticed there will be a gap in the amount of aid given and your tuition, it is time to apply for scholarships and even consider a second job. If this is what you want, go for it. The benefits of studying abroad, whether long term or short term, can do amazing things for your resume and career prospects once you get back home. Now that you’ve narrowed down your options apply, apply, apply! Especially if you are planning on studying abroad this summer or fall, deadlines will hit if they haven’t already. Goodluck!
photo credit: Kate. Get the picture. _DSC9073 via photopin (license)
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