Planning to Study Abroad
Why and What to Plan
Dec 17, 2008 Elisabeth Sharber
Many colleges allow semesters or a whole year in other countries. The pull to study abroad is so strong that some people put that into consideration when selecting a college. Messiah College, for example, has such a large study abroad program that it has been jokingly called “the place that people come to leave.”
Studying abroad is a big decision, so make the decision as early as possible. That way there will be time to prepare and research enough to form an expectation of the country.
Planning for Courses Abroad
Plan a year in advance. This allows one to find courses in the foreign university that will transfer as requirements for one's current school. Some students only take electives, but it’s quite possible to get 9-12 credits to transfer as course requirements. Looking up these classes ahead of time is important in order to save those requirements for the time abroad and not waste them in the school at home.
Talk to people who have done the program you are pursuing to find out more about the experience. Whether you want to know about grading, money, free time, how your people are received, or any other topic. Talking to people who have been there – especially if they are like you – is extremely helpful and calming.
Supplies to Take and Not Take Abroad
Don’t take toiletries like shampoo, soap, or toothpaste. Those run out and will need to be restocked anyway, and they waste room and weight in suitcases. Every plane has a weight requirement, and those pounds could be put to a much better use than toiletries, such as an extra book or a dvd collection.
Download Skype. It’s a free download and it allows one to talk to other Skype users for free. Thus, there will be no international phone bills over the course of your stay. All you will need to purchase is a microphone if you do not already have one.
Strange Mannerisms Abroad
Plan to be surprised. While you can’t prepare too much, you can rely on preparation too much. Many of the mannerisms and habits in the new place will appear ridiculous or rude, but remember that your habits and mannerisms will probably come across the same way. How you are received may surprise you, but how you end up reacting to it may also surprise you. For example, you might plan to be taken aback by a personality trait that you end up not minding at all; you might also become terribly hurt at something that you had no idea would hurt you. Studying abroad is an unforgettable, life-changing experience, but it’s not easy.
Don’t be daunted. The hardest part of studying in a different country is learning how to function in a new environment. The more you plan out the technical/logistical details in advance, and the more you research on the culture, the easier the experience will be.
An Airport in Dublin
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Big Ben
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A Flag in Wales
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A Street in Bruges
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