Study abroad 101: The basic facts

Black Collegian, Feb 1999 by Craig, Starlett

Getting Started

Once you decide that study abroad is for you, make an appointment to see your study abroad advisor. Programs are arranged in a variety of different ways from campus to campus. You must visit the designated study abroad advisor on your campus before you decide on where you want to go. While it is important to have a goal and a plan, be open to the options that your advisor offers you. The advisor will help you to gather additional facts and also help you to determine your coursework and the process for obtaining transfer credit for the courses that you complete in an educational setting abroad. This individual may be a faculty member or an administrator and he or she will guide you through the process of finding the right program that suits your specific needs. You may be lucky enough to find a program that provides an internship for you to obtain practical work experience abroad.

Through a variety of different interviews, your advisor will help you to decide on a semester program, academic year or summer program. Let's take a look at the academic year. Be patient, don't rush through the planning process. A good plan that you and your study abroad advisor agree on will almost guarantee you a successful experience abroad. The advisor will make sure that you get the necessary approvals from your academic advisors and the faculty who will review your coursework and approve it for transfer credit toward your degree before you go and after your return.

Academic Year Abroad

The academic year abroad is best suited for sophomores and juniors who can allocate the extended time away from the home campus. It can also be valuable for students who really want to master a high level of proficiency in a foreign language. If your major or career choice will require the use of a second language, it is wise to plan early because this type of program is designed so that you may spend an entire school year abroad. However, you must be careful to select a program that does not conflict with the time that you would normally begin or end the school year on your home campus. For example: the academic year in England may begin in September and end in July. In Ghana and other places in West Africa where established programs exist for American students, the academic year may begin in October and end in July. If you choose to travel after the school year ends, you would have limited time to work and earn money for the following semester back at your home campus. And there are also considerations for summer school. Time is one of the considerations that you must weigh while making your decision to study abroad.

Semester Abroad

Semester programs are great ways to spend up to four months living and studying in another country. It is sometimes the most viable option for upperclassmen who may be limited by time constraints. One can acquire a good grasp of a foreign language and working knowledge of local customs and traditions through cultural immersion and language instruction. Most students who study abroad participate in a semester program. Occasionally, students may obtain a work permit and extend their stay in order to participate in other learning activities such as paid internships and work opportunities.