Study Abroad

[AmericanWeiner]

Can anyone explain to me how studying abroad works?

Like...walk me through what I need to prepare for it, what I'll have to pay for, what I'll do while I'm abroad etc?

[gregulus]

from what i understand, you basically pay tuition for a semester, and then go take classes at a university somewhere other than your country.

[Cain]

Can anyone explain to me how studying abroad works?

Like...walk me through what I need to prepare for it, what I'll have to pay for, what I'll do while I'm abroad etc?

The above post pretty much covers it.

I'd be very wary though, you have to be sure that a.) you're doing it for the right reasons and b.) you're not squandering or giving up opportunities for very serious work you'd have were you staying on campus. Abroad programs tend to be far less organized and effective in terms of academics and work and far more oriented towards cultural education and life experience--you simply have to organize your priorities and decide what would be best. If you are at the top of your game academically an abroad trip can be a significant side-track--keep in mind that life goes on back on campus without you, so particularly if you're active in a band or on campus groups or senates or anything you may be replaced and the attentions of important people may be directed elsewhere due to your absence, with not all that much to show for it from the abroad program except a good photo album, reasonably conversational command of a foreign language that will evaporate once back stateside and an important degree of cultural education that may or may not match your expectations, depending.

It can also be fabulous if that's the kind of experience you're going for. Since most abroad study takes place in your junior year, when you're capable of doing some of your most serious work, some intense observation of where you are at as a student is probably highly neccesary. It can tell you whether an abroad study opportunity is appropriate for your mindset.

[AmericanWeiner]

I don't particularly see how it will quantitatively benefit me, as I'm a music major, but I think any worldly and cultural experience could influence and open my perspective which could be great.

I mean, what ARE the right reasons?

My goal in life isn't to be particularly successful...just old and experienced and wise. I intend to volunteer in the peace corps after undergrad. I don't look at these things as in anyway improving my station on earth...just improving myself.

I dunno if that's good or not

[Smokey D]

I mean, what ARE the right reasons?


Er, you tell us?

Where do you plan on going?

[pedro durruti]

It sounds like a thing to do to play and learn music

[Aria.]

welll every dumbasss american thinks its a good idea to study here

from waht i have gathered from the americnas i know they come here everythingss cheap they get mad drunk dont go to any of their classes which they dont have many of anywyays go to the zoos and see aussie animals and get more drunk

drunk drunk drunk thats all they do form what i have seen

[Smokey D]

Dude, are you drunk?

[Reaganista]

studying abroad is stupid imo unless your education has something specific to do with that geographic location

The above post pretty much covers it.

I'd be very wary though, you have to be sure that a.) you're doing it for the right reasons and b.) you're not squandering or giving up opportunities for very serious work you'd have were you staying on campus. Abroad programs tend to be far less organized and effective in terms of academics and work and far more oriented towards cultural education and life experience--you simply have to organize your priorities and decide what would be best. If you are at the top of your game academically an abroad trip can be a significant side-track--keep in mind that life goes on back on campus without you, so particularly if you're active in a band or on campus groups or senates or anything you may be replaced and the attentions of important people may be directed elsewhere due to your absence, with not all that much to show for it from the abroad program except a good photo album, reasonably conversational command of a foreign language that will evaporate once back stateside and an important degree of cultural education that may or may not match your expectations, depending.

It can also be fabulous if that's the kind of experience you're going for. Since most abroad study takes place in your junior year, when you're capable of doing some of your most serious work, some intense observation of where you are at as a student is probably highly neccesary. It can tell you whether an abroad study opportunity is appropriate for your mindset.

i'm entirely convinced that you plagairized that from one of those "College 101 books!" marketed to 16 year old girls
not really though

btw you left out the testimonials and juicy gossip

[Aria.]

Dude, are you drunk?

no what

[Smokey D]

dumbass american slut? bad spelling and no punctuation in a rant. This isn't the pit.

[Aria.]

whats ur problem

Smokey says: You being a nonce

[Give me Beer]

Depends, are going abroad with the intention of actually "studying" or do you want the cultural experience? I did a year abroad for the cultural experience, but I didn't really do much academically ...

If you want to prepare for it ... uhm, speak the language of the country you're going to? That and keep an open mind.

As far as costs ... again, depends on the lenght and the type of program. My program included me living in with a family, so it ended up costing me about 5000 € + extra living costs abroad ('round 300-400 $ a month).

[Surgicalgod]

Studying abroad can very beneficial. It teaches you independence (being in a another country is different than being a few hundred km away from home), introduces you to other cultures, and it gives you the chance to start a fresh blank start in your life.

I'm applying to a program in a German university, and now I'm getting documents ready for my visa interview. I've read about education in different countries so tell me if you're thinking of a specific place to study.

[Smokey D]

Not having to get visas is awesome. Dual citizenship rocks.

But if I ever do go on some sort of study abroad programme, it won't be with the university. The only reason I really need to go overseas (specifically to France) is to learn French because of my family commitments. I could just go to a private language college thing for a semester or two and then complete my degree in an English speaking country so my grades don't suffer.

This is because the vast majority of my ability to get good grades comes from my command of English.

[Give me Beer]

I really recommend you go over to France and learn french there. Seriously, there is no way a college can teach you France quite as well as actually being there for a year.

1) You'll be up-to-date on street language.
2) You'll actually be a confident and fluid speaker.
3) It looks good on your CV ;).

Oh, and you'll get a hang of the accent, if you try at least.

EDIT: Or did you mean a college in France? In which case, ignore the above and go for it. Yea, I wouldn't recommend trying to get grades while learning French, I'd recommend you just take a sabbath year for that.

[EinzingerIsGod]

My friend is going to New Zealand next year for a semester and his sister just finished a semester in Italy. She enjoyed it and he's looking forward to it.

I'd say if you want to and the opportunity is there, do it.

[Charlie Daniels]

welll every dumbasss american thinks its a good idea to study here

from waht i have gathered from the americnas i know they come here everythingss cheap they get mad drunk dont go to any of their classes which they dont have many of anywyays go to the zoos and see aussie animals and get more drunk

drunk drunk drunk thats all they do form what i have seen

lol yes thats true. but, aside from going to zoos to laugh at aussie animals, isnt that what australian uni students do? get drunk drunk drunk. hell i'm somewhat inebriated myself right now asnd i dont even attend uni atm :lol:

[PerpetualBurn]

Personally, I've not looked at the study abroad system in place at my Uni. However, I do know several foreign students. I know for certain that they would recommend what they've done to anyone looking to take part in a year's study abroad.

Providing you can fund the year comfortably (if you run out of cash, you're a long way from home), and providing you can maintain the progression of your course, it definitely seems like a great experience.

You'll get a chance to immerse yourself in a culture in a way that probably won't present itself again without doing something incredibly drastic.

[Charlie Daniels]

i think for music it could be handy, as alot of the music industry is infact meeting, greeting and (pretending) to get along with people you are being introduced to for the first time. if ur a musician it's a huge asset coming across well presented and likeable to ppl that are different than you so that could be a great experience. like the first time i met an american he patted my backside and i was somewhat taken aback but then i learned later that its standard for americans to touch ur botty. so mebe if i'd done a year in americva i would have been more composed and expected that.

do u kno what i mean?

[AmericanWeiner]

Er, you tell us?

Where do you plan on going?

I dunno yet.

I would think spain or somewhere in south america would be great for me being a jazz/classical guitarist, but musics of asia and africa also greatly appeal to me.

If I was going, I'd want to study the local cultures, music, religions, or history. I'm also a writer, so that sort of material would be great in my opinion.

But, it's a lot of money and my family has always been about the bottom line. I'm kind of the black sheep here so I'm a little apprehensive about things that could be considered inefficient with money.

That said I'm not much of a partier and I'm not trying to go party in some country and have sex with a french girl just because we cant understand each other

[Smokey D]

I really recommend you go over to France and learn french there. Seriously, there is no way a college can teach you France quite as well as actually being there for a year.

1) You'll be up-to-date on street language.
2) You'll actually be a confident and fluid speaker.
3) It looks good on your CV ;).

Oh, and you'll get a hang of the accent, if you try at least.

EDIT: Or did you mean a college in France? In which case, ignore the above and go for it. Yea, I wouldn't recommend trying to get grades while learning French, I'd recommend you just take a sabbath year for that.

I mean I'm thinking of going to a private language college jn France that's not affiliated with my University.

[Aria.]

well if ur doin it for classical giutar i can help u out with teh best places to go

[A Spoonful Supreme]

whatever you do dont go to africa their universities suq

[AmericanWeiner]

im not particularly that great of a performer ben i dunno if I could get into the best stuff

[TojesDolan]

Can anyone explain to me how studying abroad works?

Like...walk me through what I need to prepare for it, what I'll have to pay for, what I'll do while I'm abroad etc?
Depends on the university, but most usually let you study a couple subjects outside your university in order to complement your studies. Although most people use it to get laid abroad.

Anyway, you have to talk to your local university counselor and see what the options are and stuff.

[Independent_CA]

welll every dumbasss american thinks its a good idea to study here

from waht i have gathered from the americnas i know they come here everythingss cheap they get mad drunk dont go to any of their classes which they dont have many of anywyays go to the zoos and see aussie animals and get more drunk

drunk drunk drunk thats all they do form what i have seen

Funny you say that. I know two chicks studying abroad in Sydney right now...and they're drunk all the time. Of course they were drunk all the time before they left so I guess nothings really changed except the location.