Study abroad in the United States

Studying abroad is the act of a student pursuing educational opportunities in a foreign country. Typically classes taken while studying abroad award credits transferable to higher education institutions in the home country. However, students may pursue these opportunities at any age and may not require college credit. Students studying abroad may live in a dormitory or apartment with other students or with a "host family", a group of people who live in that country and agree to provide student lodging.

Topics of study can vary. Some students choose to study abroad in order to learn a language from native speakers. Others may take classes in their academic major in a place that allows them to expand their hands-on experience (e.g. someone who’s studying marine biology studying abroad in Jamaica or a student of sustainable development living and studying in a remote village in Senegal). Still other students may study abroad in order to explore topics within the framework of a different educational system (e.g. a student of English who goes to the United States to study American literature).

Reasons why students study abroad

There are a variety of reasons students may choose to study abroad. It is as an opportunity for them to immerse themselves in a foreign culture and have experiences unattainable in their own country.

As stated above, students may study abroad in an effort to expand their opportunities beyond those their home university offers. Learning a language is one of the most common reasons for studying abroad. Another is the opportunity to travel and experience new places. Many students also choose to study abroad in hopes of enhancing their employment prospects.

Study abroad is also a form of diplomacy, whereby students from different countries are able to interact, overcome and appreciate cultural differences and build relationships with people outside their native country. This is foreign relations on a personalized level and contributes to the current trend of globalization.

In some cases, students may also study abroad simply to take advantage of a more liberal social custom which is more stringently enforced in their home country. For instance, young Americans may study abroad in a culturally and linguistically similar country such as Australia or the United Kingdom to take advantage of the lower drinking age in those countries, on top of any other benefits they seek.

Study abroad versus exchange

Typically, institutes of higher educations refer to Study Abroad programs as programs in which courses are taught in a foreign environment by their own professors, whereas an Exchange program implies that the student is being exchanged to the foreign university (and is therefore taking courses with local students taught by local faculty). These definitions, however, are not strictly adhered to. In fact, new terms are constantly being created and used to more accurately describe different types of programs/experiences (e.g. direct enrollment programs, immersion programs, (faculty-lead) study trips, etc).

Students can participate in a program through their home university, a study abroad company, or a directly through the foreign university. Although most universities prefer their students to study abroad through their programs, this can be limiting. The study abroad companies are generally more flexible, can have more available options, and provide an opportunity to be involved in a group of students from all over the country. One extra available option that a study abroad company may offer that a university may not, is the ability to study during the summer in intensive language schools. These language schools focus only on teaching students a foreign language. The most independent form of studying abroad is directly enrolling in the foreign university. Some foreign universities offer classes with other students studying abroad or some offer their regular courses with the native students. However, the student should be very independent and have a good knowledge of the language in the country.

The financial expense of studying abroad varies widely. Sometimes, direct enrollment in a foreign university may be less expensive than participating in a home-university run program. However, often times programs offered through a home university can be substantially less expensive due to fee negotiations and tuition wavers as a result of reciprocity.

External links

Health and safety

Worldwide Classroom - An International Travel Planner with information on Culture Shock, Air Travel, Packing, etc.

CDC - A list of advice from the CDC when studying aborad

NAFSA - NAFSA: Association of International Educators

globaled.us Center for Global Education - Safety Precautions for Parents

Necessary travel documents

U.S. Department of State: [1]

Other external resources

Follow Me Abroad - Online community for people studying abroad - blogs, photos, and friends.

Study Abroad Directory - The Resource for Study Abroad Programs

Cultural Embrace - Volunteer, Teach, Work, Intern "Discover the Similarities...Share the Differences..."

BBAbroad.com - Further information on the advantage of studying abroad

nrcsa.com - The National Registration Center for Study Abroad (38 Countries)

Spain Summer language courses - Spain summer aroad course directory and travel abroad information

graduateshotline.com - Study Abroad in USA, Canada and Europe

StudyAbroad.com - Directory of study abroad programs and resources

IIEPassport.org - Study abroad directory and advice for studying abroad

adventuresabroad.com - What's New with study abroad program providers from around the world.

BlogAbroad.com - Read real life experiences of several students while they are abroad:

Grants & Scholarships for study abroad - Directory of scholarships and tips for finding funding to finance study abroad.

worldwide.edu - Information on Study Abroad progams in over 100 countries.

GEOS International Exchange Association - Japanese company specialising in homestays in GEOS Schools.

GlobalStudy - Directory of study abroad programs in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland.