How do you study abroad

Toiletries take up a lot of space in a suitcase, so only bring small travel sizes to last you a week or two and then buy new stuff in your new country. You may even find some cool foreign brands to bring back with you! American college students tend to dress in a very relaxed way to class. Many students wear sweatpants and sweatshirts or leggings and a t-shirt. In cities like Washington, D. The West Coast is also quite trendy — think loose silhouettes, white denim, and bohemian style.

Many UK students are quite interested in of-the-moment trends. Swedish students are very stylish and tend to dress in a very similar uniform. Think white sneakers with loose, architectural pieces in black, white, and gray. French students like to look good, so expect them to be wearing whatever the style du jour is. Think branded trainers, skinny jeans, a floaty tee, a patterned dress, or brogues. Skip the gym clothes, though. Neutral colors are always a good idea, and if you go for something more bright and vibrant, keep it the center piece and pair with neutral basics.

Australian students have diverse style but comfort is important! On university campuses, expect to see low-key style: a lot of denim, white sneakers, sandals, and canvas tote bags. Depending on where you are in the country, it can be extremely hot so be sure to pack accordingly. New Zealanders are casual and chic, and most certainly do not wear sweats to class. You will definitely need warm clothing in the summer, but it can be quite windy and cold in the winter, so bring a heavy coat.

Prepare to see some edgy and androgynous looks. Ireland is known for its wet weather, but rolling up to class in rain boots and an Aran jumper is the easiest way to out yourself as a foreigner. Irish students are big into nightclubs, so bring or buy some club attire.

South Korean students care a lot about their appearances, so expect people to be wearing dressier clothes and makeup every day to school. Modesty is important in South Korea, so wearing low-cut shirts will not be very common.

Koreans are very trend-sensitive, so students will dress differently year to year. Modesty is also important, so stray away from short shorts. Chinese students wear uniforms through high school, so university is the first time they can really express their personal styles. Expect to see bold looks and lots of colors and individualized tastes. Think purses instead of backpacks, dresses and skirts instead of jeans.

Once the jet lag wears off, the real fun begins. The first few days of being in a new country can be both exciting and completely overwhelming.

You may want to first text your parents or friends that you got there safely! Trust us on this one. While many people will be quick to head to currency exchange booth at the airport when you arrive, do your research first.

But if you do need cash, be sure to research the exchange rate. You have a few options here, and it will largely depend on what sort of money you can spend, and what the rules are with your phone carrier back home.

Depending on your housing situation, you might also need to purchase some linens as well. Reward yourself for all of your hard work with a snack. There are three main ways the study expectations may differ: oversight, evaluation, and formality. You might be in an actual classroom less often — but that might not mean the course is any less rigorous. And attendance might not be as important. While all universities have their own cultures and customs, European and Australian universities tend to be more student-driven, with less of a focus on attendance, and less oversight overall.

American universities will have more oversight, with more assignments, a greater focus on smaller assignments, and perhaps more time spent with a professor. Some countries focus more on final exams, others place emphasis on a variety of methods of evaluation, including, but not limited to, attendance, participation, small assignments, group assignments, final projects, essays, and exams.

You should also expect a difference in grading. Every country or region uses a different grading scale. Keep this in mind when you begin receiving results back on tests.

You may have to interpret these for your home university too, when you send back your transcripts. You might also have to consider the language you use with your professors. There are generally four stages of culture shock. This is where everything is thrilling to you — the beaches, the nightlife, the delicious food — and you could see yourself maybe staying in your host country forever. Next, though, is the period of frustration or negotiation. You might feel anxious from the language barrier or frustrated by the differences in technology, hygiene, social interactions, transportation — or any of the other things that impact your day-to-day life.

Studying abroad can bring a lot of ups and downs emotionally. But there are several things you can do to ease the loneliness you might feel from time to time. Making friends is easier said than done sometimes, but one of the most rewarding parts of studying abroad is meeting new people from around the world and forging new friendships with them. Here are just some ways you can make friends easily abroad! Reverse culture shock happens when you head home after integrating into your host culture.

It can certainly be strange to realize that the world back home moved on without you and things may have changed. You may find yourself craving foods from your host country, or suddenly find yourself critical of your home country. You will have the opportunity to witness a completely new way of life. Studying abroad grants you the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a new language, and there is no better way to learn than to dive right in. In addition to the considerable language practice you will get just in day to day life, your host university will likely offer language courses to provide you with a more formal education.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and go beyond a purely academic experience. When you finish your study abroad program and return home, you will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn.

Needless to say, all of these are very attractive to future employers. Many students find that they love their host country so much that they decide to seek work there. If you can relate, you will find that a local education will be very valuable when searching for a potential job in that country. You might find that you have an as-yet undiscovered talent for hiking, water sports, snow skiing, golf, or various other new sports you may never have tried back home.

Plays, movies, dancing, nightclubs, and concerts are just a few activities that you can enjoy. One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new lifelong friends from different backgrounds.

While studying abroad, you will attend school and live with students from your host country. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know and create lasting relationships with your fellow students.

After the study abroad program ends, make an effort stay in contact with your international friends. Speak to your university about all of the options you have available. There are two key things to find out when discussing paying for your program with your international education office. Firstly find out whether any financial aid can be used. You may be able to use regular student loans. Secondly, are there scholarships at your university?

Consider the following options:. Some countries have generous grants for visiting students. Here are a few but check your destination country to see if they have any scholarships:. This is a massive choice!

If the housing ends up being wrong for you, it can affect your satisfaction with the experience. For language programs, we recommend homestays for better linguistic immersion. Consider what your needs and preferences are and what your tolerance is for living in shared spaces.

Higher education can be costly, so this is a crucial consideration. You can find study abroad programs that end up less expensive than studying at a private university in the USA.

Be sure to understand how you will have to pay — directly to the program, or will your university have you pay your regular, full tuition fees. In the meantime, you should consult articles on ideas for fundraising to kickstart your fund! As in most cases, preparing yourself with facts is very useful. If your university has sent dozens of students to a given destination, your parents likely will not see it as a threatening environment.

Information that might help you make your case: crime rates, number of visitors from your country, and travel advisories. You should also be ready to show them what an overseas program will cost.

It is useful if you can show that you may qualify for some special funding to lower the cost to close a similar fee to your home campus. Also valuable is to remind them of how a study abroad experience can help to find a job, help you become more independent, and be an experienced problem-solver. Millions of people choose to do it around the globe each year, so we hope you take our advice and think ahead, plan, and research.

Know what you need and what interests you as your starting points. Use the resources available — the internet, your family and friends, and staff at your university — to start to identify the type of program and possible destinations.

Next, study the financial realities, including the estimated costs, financial aid, and possible scholarships. And closer to the time, study your destination and what you need to know about packing, clothing, and other necessities. There are a plethora of resources available, so keep your eye on the prize.

An overseas study and learning experience can enrich your life, and it can make you a more attractive candidate for a job or an academic program. The world is full of exciting places to study abroad.

With so many outstanding destinations, picking a location can be challenging. If you need some. Should you study abroad? Be sure that this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience is right for you before embarking on your own intense journey.

Deadlines: Integrated program Oct 15 , all other programs extended to Dec See all results. LOG IN. Why study abroad? Experience a different culture Not only is it interesting to directly experience a culture, but it can help us grow as individuals.

Make friendships to last a lifetime People in study abroad programs often comment that a week there is like a month back home, and this applies to new friends made overseas.

Finding new interests Exposure to a new culture — music, food, geography, social scenes, nightlife — means that you will discover new passions. Is it hard to study abroad?

Obstacles to studying abroad. Find out more by clicking on the links. Choosing your destination. The application process. Financing your trip. Organizing housing. Day-to-day life in a new culture. Being away from family and friends.

Struggling with another language. Living and traveling alone for the first time. Choosing the right program. With transferrable credits! Which coincides with your major. What can I study abroad? Semester and academic year programs for university students for credit. Short-term "faculty-led" programs for university students. A high school program. Program Types.

Associate's degrees. Bachelor's degrees. Master's degrees. Language schools. International internships. How long do study abroad programs take? There are several standardized formats:. Short-term trips Some professors take guided "faculty-led" programs during campus breaks that can be as short as 7 to 10 days. Academic semesters "Semester" in an academic setting means approximately 4 months 15 weeks is relatively standard in the USA.

Academic year This is often 9 months with breaks. Full degree Here are some general guidelines for how long degrees take: Associate degrees - 2 years; Bachelor degrees - 3 to 4 years; Master's degrees - 1 to 2 years; Doctorates - 3 to 5 years.

What are the requirements to study abroad? Here are some ways to start to make sure that the program you want will also want you: Good grades! How do you deal with this cocktail of feelings? To beat homesickness, get involved at your host institution.

Usually universities organize events for international or new students. Plus, look for international or expat groups on Facebook, which often hold regular events. Keeping yourself busy and making new friends won't leave enough time for you to wallow inside your dorm room. If you're in a country with a foreign language, try to pick up a few words and phrases, even if you're not studying the language.

Often, locals appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to speak the language, so this can help you integrate into the culture a little faster.

Go outside, take walks, say hello to the baristas at the coffeeshop across the street, and get to know the city. It might seem strange at first, but soon enough you'll know your new city like your childhood neighborhood. Culture shock won't stand a chance. That depends on your program. Costs can match or exceed American universities' tuition rates, and students need to pay for plane tickets, too.

That said, there are several ways to lower those expenses. Firstly, check your funding status with your college or university. If you already have a scholarship, make sure that it applies to your study abroad experience too.

Your school might also offer special funding opportunities for studying abroad. Similarly, if you're enrolling in a third-party program, check its financial aid offerings. Next, look for outside scholarships. Several well-known scholarship funds give hundreds or even thousands of dollars away in tuition money. For example, the Fund for Education Abroad offers scholarships to first-generation college students, minorities, and community college learners.

The U. If you're considering enrolling directly in a foreign university, there's good news: Some countries offer free or very affordable tuition rates for students. In Germany, Iceland, and Norway, students can enroll in universities for free — that means no tuition costs at all. Students can also attend college in Austria, Greece, and Hungary for about 1, euros a year. Yes, studying abroad is exciting.

But before you board the plane, you need to get the boring paperwork out of the way. Each study abroad experience has different requirements, so make sure you have a checklist specific to your program.