Got a hankering for studying abroad but not sure of all the options out there? Read on to find out!
When thinking about studying abroad, the euphoria of seeing the famous sights is undoubtedly intoxicating. Immersing yourself in a culture, country, and context that is different from your own is an exciting prospect. However, it's incredibly important to choose a program based on your goals and what you hope to gain from the experience - not just how many crepes you hope to eat while in Paris nor how many selfies you can take on a safari in Kenya. Goodness of fit will not only help you be happier and more satisfied with your decision, but your host communities will benefit more so as well.
With the options of why, where, how, when, and what, the choices are your disposal are overwhelming...Where are you to begin if you're venturing out for your first time abroad, you're shamelessly addicted, or you want a longer term experience.
Allow me to count the ways for you...there are endless options, ranging from the full-on plotted out program, to governmental support, and forging your own path, so there's any style to suit your situation. Whether you're in high school, college, or graduate school, or even beyond any type of schooling, don't let the confounds of school or age get in your way - there's always an opportunity to study abroad! Check out the twelve different ways you can study abroad below.
NEWBIES ABROAD
For those who feel daunted by the myriad of study abroad options, or for those who want to do the tried and true.
These programs are best for study abroad landscape novices as they are already designed and thought out for you...all you have to do is apply!
1. University Programs
University programs have a number of advantages for you undergrads, and folks that haven't been abroad before. For starters, there are umpteen options based on your educational goals, desired location, and program length. You get the added benefit of advisors helping you each step from choosing a program based on your goals to coming home and navigating re-entry, as well as study abroad alumni sharing their success and war stories.
Typically, someone from your university has visited each location and works closely with your in-country partners (read: the school you'll be attending in your host country) to ensure your credits count and transfer (you still gotta graduate, and those credits are important!), to ensure you're safe while abroad, and to ensure you're supported when you come back as well. An additional bonus with university study abroad is if you qualify for financial aid, those funds can be used to support your study abroad dreams. Besides where you travel on your off time, your university takes care of many of enrollment, credit transfer, and often living arrangements for you.
Faculty Led
These programs are shorter (can range from 10 days to four weeks, typically) and you have the advantage of a faculty member from your university guiding you. Classes are typically taught in English (unless language is a component of the program), and you're alongside your college classmates. It's a fab way to knock out some of those pesky required classes! These programs are tried and tested from faculty experts that know the subject inside and out, and have typically spent a great deal of time in the host country. A faculty led course usual is to do the course material alongside engaging with it on-site in your host country all at the same time...a perfect fit for those that love learning by doing.
Exchange
What direction will study abroad take you?
An exchange program is when your home university has an agreement with universities abroad (known as partners) where students study in one another's universities, and most offer academic credit. Exchanges can be short or long term, depending on the agreement and program design. Short term typically takes place during the summer or during winter breaks as an intensive cultural immersion program, whereas long term exchange can range from six months to a year. After World War II, exchange programs grew in popularity to increase language fluency and share culture, customs, traditions, and build awareness of the world.
2. Study Abroad Providers.
Similar to university programs, the process, procedure, and planning is taken care of for you through study abroad program providers. These are often private companies or organizations that work independently and sometimes with universities to coordinate the meat and potatoes of programs. They communicate with schools, academies, and universities to coordinate the exchanges, oftentimes organize housing or at least provide housing options, and offer extracurricular cultural activities. If you aren't with a university and want a legitimate experience (that can often be catered to your personal goals!), a study abroad provider is the way to go.
3. Service Learning Programs
Regardless of age, student status, or life path, service learning programs are designed for those that want to give back in a community in a meaningful way. Well designed programs are paired with classes for you to understand the political, historical, cultural, and economical context of the community. Participants can engage in educational projects (such as teaching English), get hands on by helping with physical construction (such as building schools or repairing roads), help develop community based programs for youth and adults (such as building parks or helping develop a tourism initiative), or assist with developing health service projects (such as sexual health safety or promoting good dental hygiene). Helping with the community's needs is an important part of service learning program. If you're thinking about applying for the Peace Corps, service learning programs are a good test drive to see if might be a good fit for you.
Studying in Egypt can mean visiting awesome sights!
4. Language Programs
With your sights set on fluency, language programs are the best way to tackle a foreign language (besides finding a love interest that speaks it, swoooon!). Often these programs are organized through your university or program providers, but the main subject of study is the language itself. The best types of programs for fluency include 'intensive' or 'immersion' somewhere in the title or description because it means very little (if any) English is allowed! Some, like Middlebury College's Language Schools require you to sign a language pledge stating you will dedicate your time to mastering the local lingo instead of conversing in your English comfort zone. Basic language learning theory says that one needs consistent, daily inclusion of the language to master the four aspects of dominating a new tongue: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and these programs offer these and more. Outside of class, you apply what you've learned on a daily basis, like figuring out norms in the grocery store, navigating the transportation system, or communicating your ailments to a local doctor.
5. Fieldwork Programs
Also known as experiential, these aren't your average study abroad programs! If you like to get hands on and into the nitty gritty of what you're learning, then fieldwork programs are the best for you. While traditionally based on the sciences (biology, ecology, chemistry, environmental, resource management, biodiversity, etc.), fieldwork programs have expanded to explore ways to solve current issues around the globe. Fieldwork is similar to service learning in its immersion and dedication to the community, but the biggest difference is you're not in a traditional classroom. Your on site locations are the 'classrooms', and these can range from a rainforest in Australia, an island in Panama, a river in Cambodia, or a newsroom in Morocco. You'll work closely with experts in your field (talk about awesome networking!) and tour a variety of locations. If you're well into your degree program and want to see if you'd like to take this career to the international scale, a fieldwork program is a perfect fit.
6. Rhodes Scholar
Swanky reception at the British Embassy for Rhodes Scholars
The oldest and one of the most prestigious international exchange, the Rhodes Scholarship program selects 32 U.S. Americans to study at the University of Oxford each year for postgraduate study. The main overall goal is to bring individuals with high leadership potential together to learn about cultures different from their own and make positive contributions to society in their given field of study. You can select to do a BA with Oxford, or pursue a graduate degree, ranging from philosophy, economics, geography, history, English, human sciences...the list is endless. It's highly competitive because of its full funding, but isn't for the faint of heart! The programs are quite rigorous and research intensive, and some involve little classroom time. Its reputation is known for reaching the highest in their fields and is almost guaranteed a job after completing the program. If you're committed to promoting the common good, dedicating a career to serve the public, and have high academic achievements, then consider applying for the Rhodes Scholarship.
7. Boren Awards for International Study
Like the Rhodes Scholarship program, the Boren Awards for International Study are highly prestigious and very competitive. While they aren't limited to just the University of Oxford, they are dedicated to funding students who study languages that are less commonly taught and study in areas that are identified as critical to national security. The awards are given based on merit, academic achievements, and career goals related to the national security of the United States. After completing the program, students are placed in a year long position to work in national security.
Typically, Boren Scholars study security studies, diplomacy, international trade, sustainable development, population growth, or global disease (to name a few). These programs boast long term immersion in the culture and the language, and the scholarship certainly shows its support -- it can fund up to $20,000 for a year, $10,000 for a semester, and $8,000 for a summer! They prefer students who can study abroad for longer, are dedicated to strengthening international relationships, and see the Boren Award as a step into a longer term career. The Boren Fellowships offer $30,000 for graduate study, so it isn't just limited to undergrads.
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