Choosing a Study Abroad Destination

With all the sophomores at my school currently applying for their study abroad programs, my own future adventure has been on my mind.  The opportunities are seemingly endless – every country offers a diverse culture and history.  To me, it seems near impossible to choose the right continent, let alone city, in which to study.  Here are a few guidelines to help you with your own decision.

Photo from Flickr.com by jbachman01

The first step to zeroing in on the right destination is self-reflection.  You need to think about what you want from your study abroad experience and figure out how your academic and personal goals fit in.  Would you be happier in a city setting, with variety and a vivid nightlife, or living in a small town, perhaps with a host family? Does the idea of tracking turtles for environmental sustainability thrill you, or would you prefer to immerse yourself in a new language?  A student seeking a new cultural experience with an aptitude for language might choose a far different location from one who wants a rigorous academic schedule or has a specific program of study in mind.

After you get a better sense of what you want, it can be helpful to talk to older students who have studied in a specific country or through a program you’re considering.  This will give you an insider’s experience and can help narrow down your choices. The International House on campus gives many options for contacting others who have traveled to your potential destinations.

Your school will probably have a list of programs that it has approved, or that are affiliated with your university.  By meeting with a study abroad advisor, you can gain a better idea of what is available.  Some of the programs might be offered directly through your university.  With these programs, you will have the opportunity to study with students and professors from your school.  Other times, you might be enrolling directly with a foreign university.  Still other options allow you to attend programs run by other American universities or organizations.  To choose between these, consider how much independence you want.  With foreign schools, much of the work is left to you as far as organizing travel and securing transferable credits.  On the other end of the spectrum, if you opt to travel directly through your university, you will most likely have assistance with everything down to your flights.

At the University of Denver, everyone with a 3.0 GPA has the opportunity to study abroad through the Cherrington Global Scholars program. This program lets the students pay their DU tuition, room and board, and other fees that are usually paid to go to school in Denver, and they cover the rest of the costs for the study abroad program over seas. It gives every student the chance to study abroad if they keep their grades up.

I’m the kind of decision maker who will agonize and bite nails until the day before the application program, but the truth is, there is no wrong decision.  Whichever destination you choose will provide you with a unique and unforgettable experience, whether you’re munching on fried termites in Nairobi or walking the vibrant streets of Calcutta.