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Should Your College Student Study Abroad?

Study Abroad
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The chance to study abroad is one many consider the opportunity of a lifetime. Most study abroad programs provide the tools necessary for your child to become immersed in another culture in a structured and supportive manner. Of course, programs vary, and before your child packs her bags for a foreign land. It is important to put the research time and effort necessary to find the program that best suits your child’s needs.

Before considering the best program fit for your college student. However, it is important to identify whether such an undertaking suits your student.

Here is a quick list of considerations to ponder before you start looking for a program:

Does your child adjust well to change? 

If transitions tend to be difficult for your child, then taking a semester or two abroad may not be a good idea.

Is your student engaged in other activities or have specific responsibilities that would preclude him from taking off? 

Is he an officer in a university organization? For example, does he have a job or internship that could prevent him from his travels?

Has he made other commitments?

Has he made other commitments such as a promise to house with his friends that he will need to address if he decides to study abroad?

Is this your wish or your child’s dream? 

It is important to discern if your child is simply going along with this idea. Because it is clear that you want the experience for her. If your child is anything but ecstatic about the concept, you may want to back away from the idea.

Once you establish that your college student is indeed ready to pack his bags, there are a whole host of important things to consider.

Are finances an issue? 

If the cost is of great concern it is important to be aware that there are avenues that your child can pursue to try to get at least a portion of the program costs covered. Some programs offer scholarships. It is important to identify the criteria for these awards.

Is the dispersion of funds based solely on need or are there other considerations? 

Depending on the course of study your student intends to pursue, there are also grants available to fund such ventures. Websites such as www.fastweb.com or www.studyabroad.com offer information on securing scholarships, grants, and loans for studying abroad.

What is the purpose of studying abroad? 

If your college student is a foreign language major an immersion program may be the best choice. A student of history or the humanities, however, may be seeking a program in which English is the primary language used to teach courses.

What are the housing options available? 

Many programs offer dorms and/or opportunities to live with a local family who serves as a host.

How can students spend their leisure time? 

Is travel an option? Does the program provide structured support for these excursions, or is the student left to figure this out on his own?

When deciding on a good fit for your college student’s needs there are of course a whole host other questions and concerns perspective students will want to investigate before signing up.

Study abroad is certainly not for every student. If, however, you have an adventurer in your midst, it is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

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