Studying abroad

Planning your time away

With some planning, study abroad can be affordable. To economize, study in a country where the U.S. dollar is especially strong and/or study for a shorter time.

Study abroad is for everyone

Study abroad is for everyone, not just language majors. Many employers and graduate and professional schools welcome applicants with overseas experience. As you prepare, information in this section can make you aware of what to expect.

Research before you go

Your school probably has several programs — perhaps in places you never would have considered. A little research goes a long way.

  • Study the political climate to determine if it's safe.
  • Learn about the museums, architectural landmarks, and other famous sites.
  • Attend all program orientations. They're a great source of information.
  • Research the host countries' culture, religion, history, current events, and economy. 
  • Learn about ordinary day-to-day behavior. What may be polite in one country — e.g., tipping, certain gestures, clothing styles — might be offensive elsewhere.
  • Planning to take your computer? See how expensive an Internet connection is in each country and how difficult it is get one.

  • Favorites
  • Google
  • Yahoo Bookmarks
  • delicious
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Facebook

Record it

Keep a blog or journal. When you return, it will remind you of sites and events you might otherwise have forgotten. Your blog may be a helpful resource if you later write about your experiences or advise future study abroad students.

Get the address and telephone numbers of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Keep this information with you.


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