Did you study abroad? Why did you choose to study where you did?

Question

I'm doing some very serious research into study abroad (it's why I picked my college), and I'm wondering just what attracts one to a country. Did you go there beacuse that's just where you really wanted to go? Or did you have actual studying in mind?

Answer 1

Originally I planned to go to London, but it was just too expensive. Also, besides having to pay alot, the ratio of student to teacher in London wasn't attractive, averaging something like 1 teacher for every 18 students.

Then I applied to study in Cardiff, Wales, which is 2 hours west of London. The prices in Cardiff were about 1/3 the prices in London! The Welsh people are extremely friendly and polite.

Cardiff has students of every color and race, and they are all welcome! Some neighborhoods have African, Indian, Italian, Persian, French, Chinese, Korean, German, etc. books, food and stores, around Cardiff and nearby Swansea or Newport or Bristol, all about 25 mintues apart by train.

And the teacher ratio in Cardiff averages something like 1 teacher for every 8 students. So in London, I would be a 'face in the crowd', but in Cardiff, I get a high quality British education, but I'm more of a 'big fish' in a smaller pond, and all of my teachers know my name!

We go shopping in London and see plays in the famous London West End, but we can be home in our own cozy Welsh beds by midnight, if we like!

It rains alot in all of Britain, so bring waterproof clothes! Prices and tuition vary, but Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are all good values for students with U.S. dollars.

Cardiff is the capital of the Celtic nation Wales, in the county of Glamorgan, and it's officially biligual, English and Welsh.

Everyone speaks English fluently, but the signs in Welsh give you a feeling of being someplace exotic in Europe. The countryside is nearby and is beautiful. Ruins of Roman and Norman castles are scattered everywhere among old farms and industrial towns and villages.

There's lots of exciting nightlife, pubs, museums, castles, cathedrals, and quaint old traditions and British customs.

Other students here told me how to conserve even more money: For example, there is a coach which goes to London for only a few pounds round-trip!

I've been here for 3-1/2 years, and I'm almost done with my Ph.D. They make you study more here than in the U.S., but I will finish before 4 years, while in the U.S. a doctorate usually takes about 5-7 years.

Most British schools have U.S. financial aid codes, so you can recieve your grants and loans, just as if you were taking classes in America. Once here, you get a student rail card, which makes travel really cheap, so you can see the country on breaks.

There are really cheap flights in Europe with companies like BMI Baby, Easy Jet and Ryan Air -- I flew to Amsterdam, Prague, Italy, and Ireland for what I spend on a large pizza in my old university 'hometowns' of Cleveland, Ohio or Miami, Florida!

I encourage all American students to try even a semester abroad -- ask your school about summer programs, and always ask about scholarships -- there's more money than you might think!

I have been sacrificing and saving and living on a budget for the past 4 years, but I don't regret the cost for one minute -- I have made incredible new friends, and I learned more about the world than any geography class could ever teach me!

The internet if FULL of good info if you have an itch to study and travel. It doesn't matter what you study or where you go -- just go!!!

If you don't take a risk and ask the Universe to help you live your dream, you might never know . . . so go ahead and make a New Year's wish . . . and good luck and Bon Voyage!!!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have not actually studied abroad but I plan to do a sabbatical in Japan/Australia. One reason I am considering this is because while we have a wonderful educational system here, the countries abroad have been found to have a more indepth and serious-mind about their style of study. Overseas, the countries are older and contain more history that these, our United States. Young people when attending school, are taught the seriousness of education and learning and therefore receive concepts and protect their learning in a more mature way than we do here. It's as if they don't take education for granted. It's important to them. It's about a culture of people who have learned the importance of education and how it reflects in their career and job choices. There is an overall excitement that I have experienced from my co-workers who have had the opportunity to travel overseas for teaching degrees and other advance degrees in education. The experience and the knowlegeof the culture and people is so rewarding. I am anxious and very excited to go and participate in this program. I think you will be just as excited about your program. One thing - go online and check educational opportunties overseas - you'll find blogs and chatrooms and other professional resources from students, teachers and others who live in America and have gone to Japan and other countries to live and study. I have to be honest - some places don't receive Americans very well, but for the most part - the doors are open and the people are friendly and accommodating.

Answer 4

Both places I studied at, I chose because I earned scholarships through my University for them. However, instead of going many of the other places in the world, I chose Latin America each time.

Why? Because I am Latina and think it's SO incredibly important for people to learn their own culture and their own language. I see so many White people studying abroad with me and not even learning where their ancestors come from. On the other end, many Hispanics don't bother to study the country of their ancentry or learn Spanish. I think its so sad. I do realize not everyone can afford it, but scholarships ARE out there.

I studied in Guadalajara, México and Tamarindo, Costa Rica and San José, Costa Rica. Contact me for more info. I did A LOT of researching just like you before I chose my places. The scholarships weren't the only reason I chose those places.

Answer 5

Loads of study abroads go to Australia especially from the States. I went to Bond Uni on the Gold Coast - highly recommend it. It was very fun. Nice weather. Great social activities. Plus most study abroad programs are on a pass/fail basis only - which means lots of time for play - where better than in the surf?!

Answer 6

I studied abroad throughout my college career and chose my study abroad programs for various reasons.

I was offered an opportunity to go to China my sophomore year with a prestigious program not affiliated with my school and had always wanted to visit China, and so that's how I made that decision.

I was also a German major, lived in Germany for a couple years when I was younger, and loved Germany, so I studied abroad in Germany for a semester during my junior year. I went to Germany mostly to satisfy my major requirements, but I chose Freiburg (out of Vienna, Freiburg, and Berlin) because of its location (nestled in the Black Forest, it's close to Switzerland and France), its size (it's a small city...not nearly as big as Berlin, where I think I would have been overwhelmed), and because the Vienna branch of the program that coordinated my study abroad was geared more toward music majors and did not have a strong language program.

I also went on two study abroad programs through my school. They were 5 weeks long and were lead by college faculty. I decided on these two programs mostly based on the courses being taught and how well those courses complimented the location. The program during my freshman year of college was a trip to Rome with faculty from the Religion department at my school. The course dealt with issues of art and religion and perfectly complimented Rome's history and culture, which is steeped in art and religion. I also traveled to London during my junior year (just before I went to Germany) and studied Arthurian Lit with the English department and the History of English Government with the History department. This study abroad was less about London and more about a) being able to travel to Scotland and b) how I'd been wanting to take the Arthurian Lit class, but it is only offered during through the London study abroad program.

Make the most of it! You're studying abroad and, while you should learn and make the most of your classes, it's also important to go out, have fun, and EXPERIENCE the culture. You can't get that kind of experience out of ANY lecture. Go out and talk to people. Make local friends. Try to learn the language (if it's not an English-speaking country). Hope you have fun!!!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

i still didnt go abroad to study yet...but i might leave soon in few weeks to come .... and i have chosen malaysia .... cuz its relatively cheap and the standard of studies is well high off ... im 17 and i want to do alevels and in malaysia theyre alot of colleges offering alevels .... i got attracted ofcourse for the sites and the natural habitats it has .... to say the truth i really WISHED to go to london ... but i guess its tooo expensive so imma just head to malaysia ... what ur mind leads you is upto you .... but i say u must focus on ur studies and u should also have fun ... i mean like hanging out at with friends or in clubs at the weeekends .... anywayz wateva was just my opinion hoped it helped u in someway or the other!

Answer 10

i went to great britian for my study abroad. it was beautiful. i found it very enlightening, as i am almost 100% british. i found it fascinating to learn about my heritage and my roots. i actualy studied art and cultre while i was there. the hands on experience was a great learning tool! good luck!