How to Find the Best Place to Study Abroad

You want to conquer, investigate, navigate, or just snoop around your world - but you don't want to do it under military command. Wonderful! You're about to embark on an exclusive adventure that will leave you forever changed. But first there's work to be done. Finding the place that works best for YOU is your initial step, and there's plenty to consider in that.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Passport (work on this at least six months before you plan on going anywhere)
• The internet and/or a good library

1. The obvious first step is to see what study abroad programs your institution offers, or even what programs third party for-profit study abroad companies offer. All of this is well worth checking out and may easily answer your dream destination. However, there are reasons to reconsider this. First, you're likely to be with many more of your countrymen than you'd like (unless that is what you want). Second, from the onset you are limiting yourself from the many possibilities your institution might not mention. Third, and this is especially true in the case of third party study abroad businesses that "do all the work for you", you might end up paying a lot more than necessary. Often, third party study abroad companies just fill out the paperwork that you could do yourself in a relatively short amount of time. Cut out the middle man.

2. Consider your personal motives. "I just want to get out of my hometown" is an extremely vague desire that could land you anywhere - count on it NOT being someplace you want. Think deeper. A lot of young people go abroad as if on some kind of search. If it is yourself that you are seeking, consider something symbolic like the lands of your ancestors, or your own personal environmental or spiritual tastes. If you simply want to see as much of your world as possible, consider a place that will be easier to navigate to and from neighboring countries (anywhere in the EU is a good example, anywhere in Africa is less so). Keep in mind, the geography, climate and culture are specifics you'll be stuck with for some time. Consider the kind of people you're likely to find. Do you want to stand out as a minority, or blend right in? Specific locations (or institutions of study) will have higher or lower rates of other internationals - do you only want to meet locals, or are you a true cosmopolitan? If your goal really can be summed up as "I just want to get away," roll the globe over to the other side and start your search from that end - and maybe try an island. Your tastes should be considered with your dreams. Write them all out. If you love history, indulge yourself with someplace positively ancient. If you like to be outdoors, go somewhere warm. If you appreciate civilization or high culture, look for an imperial capital and not an outback village.

3. Your tastes and potential for happiness aside, there are practical realities that need to be taken into account. Language is a major one. If you only speak English, your options may seem more finite than they really are. Don't think for a moment that you're limited to the UK and Australia. Pick any country on the planet and you'll likely find at least one school where you can line up enough classes in English to justify your being there (the more flexible you are, and you can get your home institution to be, the more possibilities). Consider all of the former British colonies as a convenient list of English-speaking countries (there are dozens of them - Google for a list of them). However, if you are willing to go through the excruciating but extremely healthy process of learning a new language, the tiniest bit of research will soon show you that your options are limited only by your imagination. The other major issue of practicality is money, and this can appear to be a dealbreaker. The intent of this article is not to discuss funding your schooling (abroad or domestic). However, a word of advice: there are many expensive schools and study-abroad programs looking to lure you. If you find a place, look at all the schools in the area, and contact them. Investigate residency stipulations, and whether or not you can enroll directly (and not as an exchange/special student). Do not look at a frightening pricetag and give up.

4. Before going to another country, consider other local realities for which you may not be entirely prepared. Consider the incident of the English teacher and the teddy bear in the Sudan. Remember, wherever you go, you will be LIVING there. This means eating, sleeping, doing laundry, getting around, engaging the elements. Much of the world is poorer than anything you've ever seen in your entire life. If you are going to a non-western nation, be ready for a shock that can be unsettling even to a hardened backpacker of western realms. This doesn't mean you should rule out such corners of the world - they will be very inexpensive and are certain to offer opportunities unrivalled in more developed regions. Just don't be naive about poverty, and don't expect "It's a Small World" anywhere you go. Consider the ugly American stereotype, and your potential for representing it completely. Much of the world expects a Yankee abroad to be ignorant, unmannered, rude and obnoxious - and unfortunately it is an all-too-often occurrence. Whatever you think of yourself or your country, you ARE the representation while you're abroad. This means more than simply keeping your mouth shut when prudent. Depending on where you go, you must keep in mind that your American political-baggage could land you in trouble. The best way around this is to say you are from somewhere else when asked by a sketchy stranger. If you know you are too proud to do this, it may be wise to limit your scope of places to consider.

5. Last and certainly not least is the institution. Having gone through the above steps, you may just be lucky enough to find the more or less ideal spot - or maybe not. The school, though it is in theory your REASON for being abroad, is also sort of your EXCUSE. Keep your expectations low as far as quality of school and how many actual credits/units you'll be able to rack up for transfer back to your home institution. That's all secondary. You are there to be abroad, and not just to hammer your way through that degree (if this is your desire, reconsider studying abroad). Of course you need some minimal hook - an American English major has virtually no business in a Turkish technical school. But if it's where you want to be, make yourself (or the official approving your transfer credits) flexible. If you have an international office, begin there, but also talk to your department chair (or whoever your academic guidance person happens to be) if you are in a specific program. People in such positions generally recognize the immense value of studying abroad, and will want to help you in any way they can. However, before going to either your international office or department representative, know WHERE you want to go, and present them with a simple "How can we make this work?" Vague ideas lean official hearts toward caution.

6. The place decided, you're on to all of the other messy details of costs, course transfers, passport and visa requirements, and numerous other levels of paperwork and headaches. Rest well knowing you've come up with the best possible destination from which to begin your new life.

Tips & Warnings

• If going to a place in which you will be learning a new language, consider a summer language course before your fall semester begins in order to give you a head start - both in the language, and the culture.
• If you're unsure about whether you want to do a semester or a year, try to set yourself up only for the first semester while leaving the door open to the second semester. A year-long study abroad is much more rewarding than only a few months, but not everyone (or everyplace) is necessarily suited to that. Don't strand yourself, but don't cut yourself short.
• Though this article stresses an individual search for the perfect place, it STRONGLY recommends consulting with representatives of your home institution with your choice. They might help in ways you would never have considered or discovered on your own.