EXPERIENCE
Study abroad is the act of traveling and residing beyond the boundaries of one’s own country to pursue any sort of international study or research.
The term “Study Abroad” is also often used as an umbrella description referring to many different types of international and intercultural exchange: enrolling in and attending courses at a foreign university, completing an internship or externship, volunteering, service learning, teaching abroad, intense language learning, or some combination of the latter. No matter the form it takes, in essence, one of the principal goals of study abroad is to build intercultural awareness.
TYPES OF PROGRAMS
In many cases, study abroad programs involve some sort of arrangement or partnership between two universities that enables students to complete their degree program, or at least a substantial part of it, at a foreign university. It can also be the case that the “foreign” university is actually a branch campus of a school whose principal campus is situated within the boundaries of the United States. Programs can be either a program provided and designed by a student’s university, a third party working in tandem with the student’s university, or, in rare instances, a program that the student arranges completely on their own.
Study abroad programs can be done at the high school level, as a gap year, as an undergraduate student, as a graduate student, and even at the doctorate level. There is no age discrimination when it comes to study abroad.
It’s important to note that study abroad programs are increasingly flexible and accommodating for those with special needs. For those who have a chronic illness or disability, it can take more planning, but is still entirely possible. Study abroad is open to everyone at all levels of their educational career.
Choosing which program to apply for and which country to go to can be difficult. A student may choose to go abroad for as little as two weeks or could even pursue their entire degree abroad. Typically, semester or shorter-term programs have been the most popular choice amongst American students.
FINDING ACCOMMODATIONS
Once the program is chosen, a student must either follow what the program requires for accommodations or choose themselves. Students are oftentimes allowed to stay in the foreign university’s dorms – other times, they must seek their own accommodations. There is always the option of a homestay, as well as the option of an apartment room. One of our partners, Study Abroad Apartments, helps students find comfortable and affordable options in many cities around the globe. If you’re a student considering your accommodation options abroad, or an international student searching accommodations in the United States, the staff at Voy is more than happy to assist you. (Will link to our partner page here).
FINANCING STUDY ABROAD
It is claimed that one of the biggest hurdles to students deciding to study abroad is the cost, but more realistically, it’s actually just the FEAR of the cost. In reality there are plenty of ways to offset the cost of study abroad opportunities.
Financial aid that helps to cover study abroad programs is available from most universities, but a plan for financing any costs that remain – usually everything apart from the tuition and accommodations that are covered by the financial aid – is needed as well. Students must also take into consideration their spending habits.
When students are considering how much money they will need to have at their disposal for the duration of the study abroad program, they should ask themselves some key questions, such as: Will I travel around the host country often (or even continent) or stick to exploring my new “local” community? Do I plan on buying many souvenirs? Will I eat meals provided by my host family or have to eat out every day? There are many factors to be considered depending on how you want to experience this uniquely exciting experience.
Once the program and country are chosen and the finances are figured out, then comes the most important – and often most stressful – part of the pre-departure planning: the packing. Trying to fit everything you own into one or two suitcases is nearly impossible to accomplish for many people. Luckily, Voy has a few checklists and guides to help with the process.
SAFETY WHILE ABROAD
Safety is key when abroad, particularly if it is the student’s first time. For U.S. citizens or residents, it is important to register the trip with the State Department. Other countries may have similar programs that are key to keeping informed about the latest major news that may affect the stability and safety of the region. Be sure to check with the embassy. Being registered with your home government’s traveler system (if one exists) is especially essential if you’re going to a country (or countries) where natural disasters, political issues, or social upheavals are a common occurrence. Being registered with your government back home will help your country’s consular services assist you in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.
HEALTH
For many students going abroad, it may be the first time in a place completely different than their homeland, with food and water that may not completely agree with their digestive systems at first. For some, it can also be their first time really living away from family. Managing health abroad is essential to ensure that the student has the best possible experience, without spending all of their time at the doctor’s office.
It’s also essential to make sure you have more than enough of a supply of any medicines that you may be taking. Also, be sure to find out if your medicines are legal to take on airplanes and in your destination country.
ARRIVAL
Arriving to the host country and institution is sure to be an exciting, yet exhausting, whirlwind of emotion, even for the most adept traveler. Dealing with jetlag and getting accustomed to the local water and food, but also the new way of life, can be overwhelming; but as is the case with everything we’ve mentioned already, there are guides out there to help you survive those first crazy days and weeks. Afterall, this is supposed to be an adventure; and adventures are meant to be fun!
Although the student will have hopefully learned a little bit about culture shock in their pre-departure orientation(s), it is still one of the most unexpected “side effects” of going abroad. The truth is that there is no real way to fully escape it; nor predict the extent to which a student will suffer from it. The best advice to take is to just be ready for it. Dealing with it can be difficult, but knowing that fellow students are often in the same situation helps. Doing things like making friends with locals (or even your fellow study abroad participants) can help ease the culture shock. Journaling is also a great way to keep track of your emotions and experiences.
TRAVEL WHILE ABROAD
Part of the study abroad experience can (but doesn’t have to!) include a lot of travel, either within the host country or throughout the surrounding continent– such as throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, or South America, depending on where the student is studying. On occasion, finances might be a little too tight to travel (although there are tricks to travel on the cheap), or there might not be enough time to explore other countries. Indeed, many students choose to stay within their host city or country instead of traveling. There really is no wrong approach and both have their pros and cons.
Those who do travel – whether it be within their host country or beyond the borders – often times also choose to travel alone. Although there are safety measures to be taken when one does so, staying in social places like a hostel can help the student make countless friends from all over the world. Other than hostels, Couchsurfing and AirBnB are also popular options for study abroad students who want to do a lot of exploring while abroad.
Regardless of whether or not a student travels extensively during their study abroad, they’ll soon realize that the experience is about more than just checking off bucket list items and visiting tourist attractions; it is about making the pages of their textbooks -and their dreams- come to life. The material they have learned, and are yet to learn, within the boundaries of a classroom will be seen in a different context.
Studying abroad is about growing, not just as an individual but as a student. Students will no doubt gain many desirable and employable skills that their fellow classmates who don’t study abroad ever could.
To study abroad means that a student is immersed in a new culture, a new language, and a new way of life; oftentimes very different from their own. They experience diversity. They interact with individuals who differ from them politically, religiously, and socioeconomically. They become more understanding and empathetic to differences. They become more open. They are better able to see the perspectives of others. Their outlook and approach to life is redefined.
For many, it is the first time living in a different country. For others, it can also mean the first time living away from home and family. Study abroad allows for a different sort of personal growth that is beyond what can be attained by just sticking to one place during their studies. And the personal growth does not end once the student arrives home.
Returning Home
When a student returns from being abroad, re-entry can be extremely difficult, and often completely unexpected, personal crisis, while also a tremendous opportunity for growth.
Luckily, there are steps that can be taken. It can be confusing to experience what is known as reverse culture shock, mostly because so many people don’t understand it or know how to talk about it. Colleges and universities have been making great strides in providing more support for returning students in the last few years. Research on reverse culture shock continues to be at the forefront of the field of international education. If a student is experiencing symptoms such as depression, isolation, and anxiety about being home, it is important that they know who they can talk to. Study abroad professionals are being trained to deal with these issues at an increasing rate. The important thing to keep in mind is that, much as with the initial culture shock the student experienced when starting their journey, they are not alone, and this too shall pass.
In Conclusion, Study Abroad is an irreplaceable opportunity for today’s university students. Research has shown that many of the top skills employers are looking for are greatly enhanced in students that have spent time studying overseas, such as confidence, independence, problem-solving, decision-making under pressure, and so many more. There are so many resources available to students these days that any perceivable obstacles can be easily reduced to simply being a part of the bumpy road toward realizing one’s dreams and full potential. After all, the old mantra surely rings true when considering your study abroad journey, “It’s not about the destination, but the journey” that helps you to grow, prosper, and find joy and fulfillment in your educational career.