So, You Want to Study Abroad, but What Now? Where do You Start?

A year and a half ago, I knew that I wanted to study abroad, but I had NO idea where to begin. Where do I find study-away programs? Are there different types of programs? What city/country should I go to? How important is it that I know the native language of the country I’m in? How do I know which program to pick?

If you’re anything like me, you might feel overwhelmed and anxious about the study away process. Don’t worry, that is totally normal! To help ease some of those fears, I’ve created this guide to help you get started. I’ll answer some questions students frequently have and share some of the things that I did. Take a deep breath, I’m here to help!

STEP 1: Where do I go to start looking at programs?

The first place to start in this process is at your own university. Most universities and colleges have a list of approved/affiliated study-away programs that they’ve hand-picked and selected for their students. These are programs that previous students at your university have done, and the application process through your university will likely be straightforward. You don’t have to choose a program from this list. If you have a program or city in mind that isn’t offered on the university/college’s list, you’ll have to do the research yourself, and then apply or petition with your school. Each school has its own policy on this process. 

If you’re unsure what to do, I recommend sticking to the school’s pre-approved/affiliated programs. The application process is likely simpler, transferring credits should be easy, and you’ll be able to get advice from your university and other students who are familiar with the program.  

STEP 2: Are there different types of programs? Which type do I choose?

Short answer, yes! There are different types of study-away programs, and they’re unique in the application process and their study-away experiences. Long answer...it is a little complicated because a lot of programs are unique. But! I’ll give you a crash course on the two most common types. 

• Type 1: Direct enrollment. This is when you directly enroll in a university abroad, and you become a student at this university for a semester/summer. This is a good option if you’re an independent person and/or you’re hoping to develop your language skills, as you’ll be very immersed in the local culture. If you’re from America, this can also be more cost-efficient, as the tuition at universities in other parts of the world is often cheaper. 

  Side note: Exchange programs are very similar to direct enrollment, the main difference is instead of applying to join the student body, you're swapping places with someone who already goes to that university. 
   

• Type 2: Study away centers. A study away center is an organization that facilitates student’s education and experience in a foreign country. IES Abroad is a study abroad organization! These are programs that are catered entirely to students who are abroad. Many of them have options for their students to take classes at local universities if they wish, but it’s not required. This is a good option if you want to study in a country where you’re unfamiliar with the language, or if you’re worried about adapting to a new culture. Centers/organizations often do a really good job of building community and shaping your experience so that you’re comfortable and adapt quickly.

STEP 3: How do I choose a program? 

The wonderful (and somewhat terrifying) thing about the internet is that if you look in the right places, you can get an answer to almost any question. Here are some tips and tricks to using this to your advantage. 

• Firstly, perhaps obviously, explore! Look at the programs your university offers, and see if any stick out to you. 
• You can also make a list of which programs you don’t like, and use a process of elimination system until you have a better idea of what you want. Make a list and take notes. 
• Utilize the internet and previous student’s experience to your advantage! IES Abroad’s student correspondent work (such as this blog) are a great resource for getting a student’s perspective on a program. 
• Go to the social media of the program/university you’re interested in
• Search up your program/university on Reddit. I've found Reddit to be an amazing resource to answer my questions and to get previous students' opinions.
• On Instagram, I went to the “tagged posts” of study centers to get an idea of the vibe of each program. 
• For universities, on the explore page you can search by location, type in the name of your potential university/study center, and you will see posts of people who have gone to or lived there. 
• TikTok and YouTube are FULL of daily vlogs made by students at various universities/study away centers.
   

If you’ve sufficiently internet stalked, think about the environment that you want. Some things to consider:

• Do you want additional opportunities to volunteer/intern? 
• What type of housing do you want? 
• What’s your budget? 
• Do you want to speak the local language? 
• Do you want a big campus or a small learning environment? 
• Do you want to live in an urban area, or a more remote one? 

A piece of advice, if you don’t speak the national language of whatever country you’ve chosen, search up how many people speak English in the city/town your program is in. You can also search the cost of living in a particular city/town, to get an idea for budgeting.

Lastly, ask fellow students at your university! The office of study away is there to answer your questions, and they can help you get in touch with previous students who have studied in your chosen city/program. 

I hope this guide helped ease some of your anxiety over starting the study-away application process and that I’ve answered some of your questions. I wish you the best of luck, and remember! You are not alone, this process can be scary and overwhelming. There is no shame in asking for guidance. Ciao! Il buco al lupo :)