Study Abroad Advice for the Future Student Traveler
There are many aspects of studying abroad that students must consider when choosing their program and preparing for the trip: What kind of program is right for me? What will studying abroad be like? What should I pack? How do I travel on a budget?
The first step in knowing how to plan is knowing what to ask. Below are some articles packed with great study abroad advice that might help answer some of these questions you have (and some maybe you haven’t thought of yet!). For students just beginning to map out their trips, the article “Studying Abroad: 3 Basic Questions to Ask” is a great place to get started!
Advice for picking a study abroad program and acing the application essay
Because of the large number of types of study abroad programs available today, it can be challenging to select one program if you aren’t familiar with your choices. There are many aspects to take into consideration, such as personal motivation for studying abroad, the amount of time you want to spend overseas, and how much personal independence you want while studying abroad. These personal preferences play a significant role in deciding which type of program is truly the best fit for you. This article will help you ask the right questions and narrow down your choices.
Writing an outstanding study abroad application essay can make your application stand out and increase your chances of being selected as a candidate. This article covers common basic application statement of purpose requirements, and will help you draft a strong outline that addresses those requirements.
Advice for preparing for life as a study abroad student
I remember before I set off to travel for the first time as a college student, I had never traveled internationally before and I was really anxious about what to expect. While much of the fun of traveling, in my opinion, comes from the unexpected, I think there are ways to mentally prepare yourself for the encounters you’ll have while overseas and to make your experience positive. This article touches on some of these ways you can prepare.
What better way to gain insight into what it’s actually like to study abroad than from an American student who is currently completing a degree abroad? In this article, Nathan Kenney, a graduate student in microbiology at Umeå Universitet in Sweden, answers some common questions that prospective study abroad students may have.
Advice for what to pack (and what to leave behind)
Deciding what is necessary to bring, especially if this is your first time traveling overseas, can be challenging. So what should you bring with you? While this article won’t give you a definitive list of everything you’ll want to pack, it will give you a short list of essential items you won’t want to forget. These items will help prepare you for the unexpected, and make things more convenient and comfortable as you transition to your new temporary home.
While being comfortable is important, taking into consideration practicality is equally important when packing for overseas travel. There are some items that may seem great to bring along but may not be necessarily beneficial to your study abroad experience. This list will hopefully help you identify ways in which you can cut back on your packing.
Budget travel planning advice
Weekend trips and excursions around the country or region where you are studying can certainly be a highlight of studying abroad. If you’re like most student travelers, however, you can relate to being on a budget—and travel can be expensive! Luckily it’s very possible today to travel on a budget with just a little bit of creativity, flexibility, and willingness to plan in advance. This article will give you four ways to stretch your travel dollar and get more out of your time abroad.
Advice for life after study abroad
While studying abroad you may find that you just don’t want the journey to end, but it’s important to keep in mind that for many students transitioning to life back home can be a difficult process, especially for those who have been away for at least six months to a year. This article highlights some ways that you can make your transition home a positive one, and ways you can keep your memories and passion for travel alive in your life.
There are many skills and experiences students can gain from studying abroad that many employers look for in successful job candidates. After you return home, you can use your experience to leverage your job hunting prospects and increase your chances of standing out in an interview! This article lists ways in which you can highlight your experience abroad as it pertains directly to job requirements and qualifications.
Conclusion
Hopefully all this study abroad advice will help you plan for your exciting future and travels to come as a study abroad student! For a more extensive list of articles and resources, be sure to visit our study abroad page. If you’re a student who has studied abroad in the past and wish to share your advice with others, or you’re thinking about studying abroad in the future and have questions, please feel free to post in the comment field below!
The Author
