Study Abroad

International Studies Abroad Career Planning

Going to school out of the country takes guts—even if it’s just for a semester. Read on to see what it takes to apply to a foreign college.

Pick a language

What language do you want to speak if you college study abroad? Depends on how big of a challenge you’re looking for.

Choosing an English-speaking country has some obvious advantages.  “You get the experience of living in another culture on the opposite side of the world without having to learn to speak all over again,” says Education New Zealand (newzealandeducated.com) international communications specialist Michelle Waitzman.

If you do decide to challenge yourself with a foreign-language school, you may be required to take a language test before acceptance—and for your benefit. The test can help you gauge how prepared you are to be immersed into international studies abroad—and a whole new vocabulary.

Prepare for change

A language challenge isn’t the only transition you can expect if you take international studies abroad.

“Many (Americans) are used to being ‘spoon fed’ their courses, and find that they have to adjust to taking more initiative, asking questions and getting things done without anyone watching over their shoulder,” Waitzman says.

Another thing to prepare for is non-stop exploring.

Students studying in London enjoy free festivals and events every day, “from outdoor film screenings to listening to buskers (street performers) in Covent Garden,” says Simon McCaugherty of London Higher (londonhigher.ac.uk). It’s up to you to take advantage of the new things to see and do.

Determine your purpose

Once you’ve settled how much change you’re aiming for, you must consider what it is you’re looking to study. After all, the first part of college “study abroad” is “study.”

“Make sure that what you’re studying will actually be helpful to your overall education and future career,” Waitzman says.

For example, Italy caters well to art students. France is popular for aspiring chefs. New Zealand is particularly good for careers in geology, wildlife or conservation.

Get cozy

No matter how courageous you are, one drawback of leaving home is the inevitable homesickness.

When Samantha Clay gathered up her textbooks and traveled from the U.S. to Italy, her enthusiasm wasn’t enough to fend off the initial homesickness.

“I was initially frustrated with adjustments to certain factors, including the language barrier and extreme differences in my surroundings,” she says. “…However, after meeting plenty of students who were struggling with these same adjustments, I was easily able to make new friends, and together we developed the ability to adapt and enjoy such a foreign and beautiful culture!”

Wherever you travel, you won’t be alone. McCaugherty says that more than 24,000 U.S. students study in London. So regardless of when or where homesickness strikes, it can be comforting to know that there are plenty of fellow Americans just like you outside your doors.  “Studying abroad not only challenges you and your culture, it also gives you a broader view of the world and its people,” says McCaugherty.

By applying for international studies abroad, whether for a semester or all four years, you’re not only learning about your major, but also about yourself, your career, and your world.

Marissa MacKenzie Longstreet is a student at Finger Lakes Community College (flcc.edu) and was an intern for The Next Step Magazine.

Although in-class learning is necessary for a college degree, more and more students are modifying the definition of “classroom” to include hands-on career experience while traveling the world.

As the job market gets more competitive for college graduates, international experience of any kind can put you a step ahead of the rest on your career path.

Colleges throughout the country even acknowledge the importance of intercultural knowledge—and help students partake in it.

The three most popular types of international experiences for students
are studying, interning, and volunteering abroad. To find the one best for you, take a look at these three college students’ experiences.

STUDY ABROAD

• Benefits
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to spend a set amount of time overseas (usually ranging from one month to one year) taking classes and experiencing a new culture.

Natalie Zirpolo, a senior at the University of Dayton (udayton.edu), spent one month in Rome studying communications. Besides learning the Italian lifestyle and uncovering cultural differences, she felt the best outcome was making new friends.

“The best part of studying abroad is the people you meet,” Zirpolo says. “I got to meet and live with a new set of people that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. …I also became friends with the professors as we experienced the cultural shock of a foreign country together.”

• Challenges
Despite the glamorous idea of walking down historic streets to class every morning, studying in a foreign country can present difficulties.

The hardest part of Zirpolo’s trip was the language barrier.

“It was challenging to be in a huge city like Rome, asking for directions and being answered in Italian,” she says. “It definitely took patience, but it was worth it because I learned how to get around and how to communicate with gestures and nonverbals.”

INTERN ABROAD

• Benefits
An internship overseas lets you gain insight on the international aspect of your career path. The experience usually lasts two to six months.

When you work with people from other cultures, you learn not only more about your job field, but also how differently companies are run overseas.

CarlyMygrants, a junior at the University of Alabama (ua.edu), spent her summer interning for a public relations firm in London.

“The whole internship was a hands-on experience,” she says. “I didn’t go fetch coffee or do filing; I was actually responsible for calling journalists and promoting our clients, such as Target or Speedo. I also got to present media coverage to our clients in a formal business setting.”

• Challenges
Working abroad will most likely require some foreign language background in order to complete assigned tasks. For American students, this may make England seem like the perfect fit. But there still can be problems.

“The biggest difficulty I faced was understanding their accents,” Mygrants says. “Even though we both spoke English, it was hard to understand some words, and this made my telephone calls complicated. I always had to ask the clients or the journalists to repeat themselves or explain what they said because I couldn’t interpret their different dialects.”

VOLUNTEER ABROAD• Benefits
If you want to take a step back from a school setting, but still get the overseas experience, volunteering may be your best bet.

The most common areas of work include health care, education, and growing businesses.

Adam Kimura, a junior at the University of Iowa, spent six weeks volunteering at a nursery school in Tanzania, Africa.

“I taught mathematics and English in a nursery school to 4- and 6-year-olds, but more than teaching, I gave them love and support,” he says. “The children’s faces lit up each morning when I arrived, and I saw almost every child make progress in learning simple mathematics. For me, picking a nursery school gave me the best opportunity to have an impact on Africa’s future.”

• Challenges
Volunteering abroad also presents language barriers. But in developing countries, communication difficulties are often overshadowed by the daily hardships faced by people there. In Kimura’s experience, seeing people fight to survive day after day made any communication glitches seem inconsequential.

“For me, it was painful to witness how poor the city of Moshi, Tanzania, was,” he says. “There were starving and begging children everywhere; they had no clothes, often no parents; and they were all skin and bones. It was sad to see the children I taught want to come home with me because I helped them feel love and forget their problems.”

International experience of any kind can greatly increase your chances of future success. Whether you land that dream job or help others, stepping foot on foreign soil will put you on the path to a promising tomorrow.

How to study abroad

Have you always dreamed about studying abroad in college? College is the perfect time to experience the world before you become a full-fledged adult with bills, a job and all that other fun stuff! Read on for how to study abroad.

Why should I study abroad?
The business world is becoming more internationally based, and it can be important for your future to get a broader view of the world. “You will make yourself more valuable to employers, so your chances of future employment are much more positive if you’ve studied abroad,” says Helen Armitage, manager of international programs at Bond University (bond.edu.au) in Australia. “You will become more independent and focused, and learn how to apply yourself.”

Not only will you make yourself more marketable, but you’ll also have unforgettable experiences.

“I met so many interesting people, saw endless amazing places and had the time of my life over in Italy,” says Frannie Coggeshall, a senior at Lynn University (lynn.edu) in Boca Raton, Fla. “I feel so fortunate to have experienced so many amazing times and such a different type of life by going to Europe.”

Noah Darnell, a student at Harding University (harding.edu) in Searcy, Ark., says the biggest benefit of studying abroad is learning humility.

During his semester in Greece, Darnell also spent time backpacking through Europe and traveling to Egypt, Israel and Jordan.

How do I apply to a study abroad program?
Once you get to college, an international program adviser can help you fill out the required documents to study abroad.

Another benefit of studying abroad through your college is that you can get help finding safe housing. At many colleges and universities, students find housing incorporated into their program fees.

“Everything from being in a dorm or residential home stays [are provided],” says Lucy DiLeo, assistant director of international programs at the Warrington College of Business Administration at the University of Florida (ufl.edu).

“It’s important to remember it’s not vacation abroad, it’s study abroad,” says DiLeo. Some of your classes might be taught in a foreign language, others in English. You’ll likely have to uphold a certain GPA in your foreign language class or submit a paper written in a foreign language.

Should I be worried about my safety?
So you just stepped off the plane in London. Or Paris. Or Milwaukee, for that matter. As with any new city, you should be aware of your safety and how to prevent your passport or other items from being stolen.

“It’s very important to be aware of your surroundings,” DiLeo says. “Guard your possessions, and be aware you are a guest in their country.”

You might also want to consider blending in with the locals as much as possible to avoid the label of “tourist” and any unfortunate consequences that might go with that. “If they are dancing in the street, go find a partner to dance with,” Darnell says. “You’ll never go wrong if you blend in.”

One of the best ways to make sure you blend in is to research the laws and customs of the country before you start packing your bags.

“We recommend that students start to experience the culture before they even leave the United States by reading books by local authors, reading magazines from abroad and watching movies from other countries,” says Nicolette Orezzoli, assistant director of study abroad at Lynn University.

Use common sense, and be smart about where you’re going. Aisling White, a travel expert for HostelWorld.com, even suggests bringing a spare wallet with a small amount of money in it in case you get mugged.

Will they treat me differently?
The majority of foreigners welcome American students with respect. “The common experience is many young people and countries throughout the world are embracing students,” DiLeo says. “They’re seen as young, inquisitive ambassadors [from] the United States.”

Armitage agrees: “We love U.S. students here in Australia! They add a great element of character and fun to our culture and to our university campus.”

Remember to keep an open mind and step outside your comfort zone when it comes to meeting new people. “One thing we do find, though, is that they tend to stick together and not diversify into the community,” Armitage says. “We encourage our U.S. students to get out and meet new cultures and make friends with people from Australia and the rest of the world. That way, their experience will be an even better one.”

Can I afford it?
Some colleges charge the same tuition whether you’re on campus or studying abroad. But that doesn’t mean studying abroad can’t be pricey. Consider the potentially higher housing fees, travel costs and the spending money you’ll need to soak up all the culture you can.

If you go on a program sponsored through your college, you’ll likely be able to apply your financial aid package to the experience. Set a weekly budget before you go, and stick to it while abroad.

Which country should I choose?
Do you have family from Italy? Have you always wanted to sip espresso and study outside at a Parisian café? Deciding which country to visit depends on your curiosity and which programs your college offers in certain countries. “I always wanted to go to Europe, and since part of my family is Italian, I decided to go to Italy,” says Coggeshall.

Wherever you want to study abroad, make sure you grab the opportunity if you have it!

“If your school has an overseas program, do whatever it takes to make it happen,” Darnell says. “You’ll never truly know yourself until you do things that push your limits—or what you think are your limits. You may even surprise yourself.”

And remember, you don’t even have to cross an ocean for a study abroad experience. Canadian colleges and universities routinely welcome U.S. students, and you may still be in driving distance of home!

What is a gap year?
Taking time off after you graduate from high school is called a gap year. Gap years are popular in Europe, and more students from the United States are using the time to travel the world. A gap year can help you find yourself and the direction you want to take for your future.

“It’s also a great time to break up your time in college,” says Aisling White, a travel expert for HostelWorld.com. “You can ponder what direction you want to take. … There aren’t many other opportunities to travel in your life.”

Many gap year travelers stay in hostels during their journey. They’re a cheap choice for a place to sleep, shower and meet other travelers.

The downsides of hostels are the shared rooms and bathrooms and less-than-luxurious arrangements. Check out the pictures, reviews and prices of a place before you arrive.
 

By Brendan Richardson

I have studied abroad for six semesters. I spent two semesters in London, one in Valencia, and three semesters as a resident assistant in Florence. 

Through studying abroad, I have learned to accept and embrace different cultures and traditions, and I try to incorporate them into my everyday life.

I chose international study abroad because I thought it would help with any present and future endeavors. I wanted to learn more about European history and the arts. I made contacts that will last a lifetime. I saw sites, landmarks, paintings and statues that I have read about.

If there is any advice that I could give to future international study abroad participants, it is to go out and experience all the world has to. Do not just sit around in your apartment. You may only get one chance to have this unbelievable opportunity, so do not let it just go by. 

Brendan Richardson is a second-year graduate student studying International Affairs at Florida State University. He likes traveling, working out and reading.
 

Ice skating in Moscow
By Kate Wright

I grew up in Florida and had never been ice skating.

Until, that is, I wobbled into Moscow’s newly opened public rink in the middle of the grandeur of the Kremlin.

I participated in Stetson’s study abroad program in Moscow as a senior Russian Studies major. It was my third full semester abroad; I’d also spent time in Avignon, France, and Geneva, Switzerland.

Before college, I’d barely traveled outside the southern United States. Now I can’t imagine a life without the experience of a warm crepe on a cold February morning under the Eiffel Tower, or a 36-hour train ride through the beautiful, frozen north of Russia. Of course, living abroad can be very difficult. Adapting to a different set of values and teaching styles was sometimes stressful. Communicating in a foreign language was a lesson in humility.

But even the difficult moments will remain indelible memories.

Kate Wright returned from studying in Moscow in last year. She graduated from Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., in May 2007.

Getting involved at Oxford
By Brendan Rogers

Growing up in the film business in California, I was definitely in my element studying abroad at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. I felt like I was living on a movie set, at the very location where many timeless stories have been conceived, written and filmed. I took two classes, mythology and the philosophy of time. It sounded like a workable schedule…until I realized that a major paper was required each week, in each class.

I also auditioned for a part in a play produced by Oxford University’s Carte Blanche Theatre Company, and was honored to land the lead role. The friendships I made and the experience of performing in one of the world’s leading theater capitals kept me energized.

Studying abroad definitely enhances one’s appreciation of history and understanding of one’s place in this vast world, and I would highly recommend it to every student.  

Brendan Rogers graduated from Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. in 2006 as a double major in philosophy and theater arts.
 

Volunteering in Costa Rica
By Seth Roberts

As the son of international academics, I have done more than my fair share of traveling. But none of my previous voyages could prepare me for my experience with the Costa Rican division of the leadership and community service program Global Leadership Adventures (GLA).

The part of my three-week trip that touched me the most was my community service experience. My group of eight students and a mentor worked with several physically and mentally disabled kids. We were training two of them to participate in the 2008 Special Olympics in Beijing.

Watching the kids progress physically and emotionally was incredible, and it was extremely difficult to say goodbye.

I feel like I made a contribution to the world, and I know that I came out as a better person. 

Seth Roberts, 17, is a senior at University High School in Los Angeles. He is an avid sports fan and hopes to become a professional sports writer.

Why study abroad?

A funny thing happens when you study abroad: You suddenly realize that maybe you don't know everything.

When you go abroad, you realize that the world is complex—but you’re more than capable of navigating it. You learn to communicate with a new group of people, and you start to find your niche in the world. Here are more reasons why you should study abroad.

Get inspired to go!
“It broadens the mind of the student to study abroad,” says Helle Byrn, director of the Marbella Design Academy in Málaga, Spain (designschool.com). “The student learns that things can be looked at from many different angles and becomes more tolerant toward other nationalities, religions and cultures. You are on your own in a foreign country, and you make so many new lifetime friendships with students from all over the world.”

What is it?
Studying abroad is becoming an integral part of the college experience, and most schools have programs of their own.

Study abroad programs simplify the process of traveling around the globe. The program often sets up your housing in an apartment, dorm or with a host family; coordinates your classes; and even balances costs so tuition is similar to what you would pay at home.

Each year, Michael Griffin, director of international programs at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Ind. (hcc-nd.edu), coordinates trips to Ghana and Peru. “The students, even the ones a bit nervous, love it,” he says. “Africa is not the usual destination of study abroad programs. But for today’s college student committed to solidarity and concern for the poor, it is places like Ghana and Peru where we need to be studying.”

Questions to ask
Considering studying abroad? Why should you study abroad? Ask the international director at your prospective college how the school chooses its host families, how much the program will cost and how you can make sure your credits will transfer.

Also start paying attention to the exchange rate in your host country. Work out a budget before you leave so you have an idea of what you’re spending. Don’t forget sightseeing and souvenir money, not to mention food, side trips and cash for spring break and weekends. And start getting your passport, visa and International Student ID Card now.

Next Steppers talk back:
Q: Where would you study abroad if money were no object?
A: I would go to Spain or France. Maybe even Africa. —Hannah Brown is a freshman at North High School in Torrance, Calif.

A: If money were no object, I would study abroad in Latin America mainly because I am curious in learning about the culture, and I want to know what it’s like to live surrounded by water. —Juliun L. Kinsey is a junior at the Academy of Business Administration at W. T. Loften High School in Gainesville, Fla.

A: Everywhere! I would switch schools every year. I think traveling makes you learn a lot about yourself and others. —Paola Mariselli is a sophomore at Broward Community College

A: I would like to go to Japan, because I want to take up digital art and media and Tokyo is one of the best cities ever, and they are the leader in modern technology! —Andrea Magsaysay is a senior at Oak Grove High School in San Jose, Calif.

See also:

• Why I studied abroad
• Your study abroad FAQs
• Other study abroad articles

I thought that moving to Paris to study abroad for five months would be like fall of my freshman year: Sometimes you hear horror stories, but for the most part, people are great. I had already met my roommate, I arrived without losing any baggage, and my adorable apartment was in a building above a café. What more could a girl want?

I was ready to polish my speaking skills, conquer the big city, and learn something.

I returned home from France with more wisdom and appreciation of home. I no longer consider consumer culture a bad thing—in fact, it’s kind of nice that if I need to go to a grocery store on a Sunday, there’s one open. I relish the thought of running outside without getting funny looks. I love that I can talk to my friends and family before evening.

That being said, I miss things about Paris, too. I miss the baguettes and the café downstairs. I miss the shopping and the bustle of the big city. I miss thinking in French and surprising the natives with how well I could express myself. 

I learned a lot in those five months of my study abroad education, that’s for sure. Here are some tips that will help you fit in as you become more like a native and less like a tourist.

• Be aware of what you wear. Some countries are more conservative than the U.S., and certain types of dress can provoke unwanted attention.

• Bring your own peanut butter. Just as you learn the language of the country you visit, you’ll learn the food, too. It may be difficult to find familiar foods from home.

• Be aware of your voice. Normal noise levels vary from country to country, as do accents and the speed with which one speaks. Adjust your decibel level to match, and embrace the accent of wherever you are—it makes you much easier to understand.

• Be open to the history of your surroundings. If there’s a class offered in local history, take it!

• Get out and travel. It’s easier to explore otherwise out-of-the-way places when you’re on the same continent.

No matter where you study abroad, take advantage of what is offered. Teach your teachers, learn from cab drivers, have discussions in coffee shops with locals, make friends with the waiter at your favorite restaurant. They will all be able to enrich your education experience.

Don’t be afraid to live your study abroad education outside your comfort zone—you’d be surprised at how big it can grow!

How to travel when you're abroad:
Trains, planes and automobiles
Check into the laws and parking protocols of different countries if you want to rent a car. It’s easy to travel Europe by train. Consider getting a rail pass, such as the Eurail (for Europe), if you plan on traveling a lot.

A place to rest your head
If you have other friends studying abroad in different places, talk about spending a weekend at their place. Be prepared to return the favor. Hostels are another good option for a traveler on a budget.

International ID
Although you’ll have to bring your passport, also get yourself an International Student ID Card (ISIC). It’s recognized everywhere and gets you discounts for some museums and travel.

Bonjour, hola, bonjourno…
It may seem difficult to learn a new language for every place you visit. But you’ll impress if you ask for a table for two in the native language—or just know how to say hello, thank you and goodbye.

Learn from the locals
Your guidebooks will steer you right in most cases, but some of the coolest things are not in print.

Places not to miss
Munich, Germany:     Mike’s Bike Tour
The tour is led by native English speakers and takes you on a hilarious and historical ride through the city, with a stop at a beer garden in the middle of the English Gardens.

Bay of Naples, Italy:   The Island of Capri and the City of Pompeii
This island in the Bay of Naples hosts gorgeous waters, the Blue Grotto, and a one-person chairlift up to the top of the highest peak. The ruins of Pompeii are open to visitors, and hiking up to the top of Vesuvius to peer in the crater is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Paris, France:     The Latin Quarter
Of course, when in Paris, you have to go up the Eiffel Tower. But don’t forget the Latin Quarter. The tiny winding streets between St. Michel and Notre Dame host a myriad of great, inexpensive restaurants and shops, and getting lost in this traditionally student area is a lot of fun.

Dublin, Ireland:     Temple Bar
This area in Dublin is known for its lively nightlife, but the pubs open up early in the morning to serve traditional Irish breakfasts as well.

London, England:   The Tower of London
One of the more popular tourist stops in England, the Tower deserves its fame. A sprawling expanse of buildings and grounds, with museums dedicated to the Tower itself as well as to the history of arms, give visitors plenty to do.

The decision whether or not to study abroad can be a difficult one to make. Leaving friends is difficult, and transferring credits can be confusing. On the other hand, the cultural experience and the independence you’ll have is life-changing. But once you’ve decided that you have your heart set on traveling to a foreign country, there are still many decisions to be made.

Pick a length
Exchange programs for high school students offer the opportunity to study for a few weeks, a semester or a year abroad. There are summer study abroad programs, exchange programs, and a few with a primary focus, such as language immersion or art appreciation.

In college, your options include short periods—a trip during winter break, for example, or a summer study abroad program. Earning college credit from these programs depends on your school and the type of program in which you enroll. Once you get to college, talk to your adviser about credits and recommended programs—before you enroll.

The most common college programs involve studying for a semester or year in another country. Some programs are satellite programs of your home university, while others are courses offered through foreign universities.

Pick a program 
The most common study-abroad option is to enroll in a program through your college. Some schools send students and professors abroad for the semester, creating a group atmosphere with people from your home university.

Other schools might be part of a larger program, where you’ll be with students from other schools while abroad. You might even be able to take classes through local universities.

Or you could go abroad through another university’s program. The differences between your school’s programs and another school’s could be the countries visited, the number of students you’ll know right away, the difficulty of the program and the application process. Before signing up with another college, make sure that credits from other universities will transfer to your school.

Another option is to study abroad with a private company. If your school doesn’t have a program in the country you want to study in, requires a particular GPA, or is only offered for a full year, etc., then a private company might be the answer, says Matt Ulmer, a public relations writer at Educational Directories Unlimited, the company behind BlogAbroad.com.

“If a student is going to use a private company, he or she needs to be very involved with the school’s adviser to make sure he or she can get credit for that semester,” says Ulmer.

If you’re up for deep immersion into a different culture and language, you could also apply directly to a foreign university. If you plan to finish school in the States, then you are responsible for credit transfer, organizing your application, and maintaining a relationship between your college abroad and your home school.

Studying abroad is often thought to be the most rewarding, culturally enriching, life-changing experience you can have at college. When is there another time in your life when you get a trial period living in another country? You are a resident of a new culture, experiencing things like a native, but you still get to go home at the end of your term. The only problem? Getting there!  The application process for studying abroad can be as formidable as the college application process. Here are a few tips to help you get through.

Research your options
You can go abroad for a semester, a year or for a summer study abroad program. You can go through a study program with your own school, another accredited university or a private program. You can take classes in your own language or in another language. You can travel. You can live in one spot. The possibilities are endless. See what your school recommends. Make an appointment with an adviser to talk over your options, and make sure that your choices are acceptable at your college.

Gather more info
Many schools require students to attend meetings that cover general study abroad info. Some even require meeting with an adviser to discuss the options. Make sure you attend these meetings. Even if they’re not required, they often give helpful advice on going abroad and on the application process at your school.

Pick a program
Make sure that the program you pick fits your needs and your lifestyle. Also check out the classes before applying. Do they offer classes in your major? Are there enough choices to suit your needs? Make sure there is a support system in place before applying, and if possible, ask someone who’s already been abroad—preferably through the program you’re thinking of! Also check on the housing situation and the way the meals are set up. There are plenty of options—make sure you don’t get stuck with one you don’t like.
 
Check the requirements
Does your program require a certain proficiency of language? When do you need to arrive? Make sure that your academic load is acceptable to the program, and check that the schedule fits into your semesters at school.

Apply
Many applications require teacher recommendations, a short essay and a transcript. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Parts of the application take more time, and many programs are first come, first served.

Get a student visa
Don’t forget to apply for your student visa early—it takes time to process. Make sure you have all the necessary documents such as your passport, visa, birth certificate, transcripts and other important paperwork just in case. Check on your health or travel insurance and your transportation options should you run into problems while abroad. For more information on student visas, go to: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.

Pack
Once you’re accepted and all your paperwork is in order, all the hard work is done! Be reasonable about what you pack–check the climate of the region, and leave space to bring things home! Make sure you keep your valuables safe while traveling, and have fun! 

So, you wanna go?
• The easiest way to study abroad is to talk to an adviser at your school. With their experience, they will be able to help you decide where to go, what to study and how to apply.
• Your adviser will be able to tell you which programs you can study without a tuition hike or transfer credit concerns.
• Once you’ve decided which program is right for you, apply early and get excited! There is no one right program, just as there is no one right location. Once you’re prepared, you can just enjoy your time abroad.

Are you packed? In a few short months, a dorm will be your new home. Once there, you will have unlimited access to all that college has to offer: freedom and fun, time to learn and explore interests in ways unmatched during any other time in your life. With opportunities like that, you'd better learn how to pack in your days to maximize your campus experience. Believe me, how you use your college years, days and even hours will effect your future more than you'd like to admit. So take it from a girl who earned four degrees in five years: you can make the most of your college career and still have a social life, with help from these solid tips.

GO LOCAL
To explore your interests while avoiding the staggering costs of tuition, consider a community college. After all, inexpensive doesn't mean ineffectual. With a slightly lighter workload and a wide variety of courses, a community college can be the first step towards making your college days count. During the first two years of my college life, I attended Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY. I had an overloaded schedule every semester, through which I explored drama, voice, piano, literature, writing, religious groups, honors courses, French, and community activities. When I was done, I had not only completed the fundamental requirements most institutions require during freshman and sophomore years, but also I had explored more career options and activities than I'd ever thought possible. To top it off, I ran around the graduation field to fetch two associate's degrees: liberal arts and a performing arts degree in music.

STUDY HARD
Once you hit the level of higher education, it doesn't matter whether you have a one-track concentration or a cartload of conflicting pursuits. Either way, you must desire to absorb knowledge. After transferring to the University of Rochester in New York, I visited a man unofficially deemed "The Friendliest Guy on Campus." The university's dean of students, Paul Burgett, quickly identified three things an undergraduate should focus on during her college years, regardless of her major. "First," he says, "you need to develop skills to access and apprehend data, and in some cases create data, which we call research. Second, you need to develop skills of analysis. That is, taking the thing apart and putting it back together again - mechanical and intellectual exercises we call thinking and practice. Having done that, it can be said that someone knows something. The third skill is perfecting one's expression of that knowledge through writing, speaking, and graphic representation such as on the computer." Access. Analyze. Express. It sounds simply enough, but learning how to successfully translate those principles into practice meant managing time and mastering effective study habits.

STUDY RIGHT
Since time is money, budget it wisely. One might say I went a little overboard during my college years, locking in every minute with some activity or another, even scheduling meetings when I could take a break from studying. But diligently planning your days can pay off, as long as you realize your schedule will inevitably change during the day. Your day planner will become your personal gold mine. To make the most of your time, studying must be efficient, pointed, and focused. Trying to combine social time with studying won't work. Set time aside, keep on top of your daily workload and avoid being stuck with 500 pages to read two days before a midterm. And when you do read a plethora of pages, learn to glean the key points by using the professor's lecture as your guide. If the teacher mentioned a topic, pull more info about it from the text.

WANNA PLAY?
Optimizing your school life doesn't mean all work and no play. But how you play can make or break your college career. By getting involved in extracurricular activities that relate or add to your major, you can bulk up on job skills, discover unknown talents and expand your circle of friends. Plus, you get to have fun. As it turns out, all my extracurricular activities merged with my eventual majors. At the U of R, the college newspaper, jazz ensemble, gospel choir, theater trips and studying abroad kept my schedule packed. I auditioned and began piano lessons with world-renown faculty. I packed in as much as possible, realizing these opportunities would be gone in a matter of semesters.

PURSUE YOUR PASSIONS
All this studying, time management, and active involvement proves useless if passions don't drive your experience. If you hate your major or find activities boring or unrewarding, your attitude won't magically change out in the "real world." By persisting in your interests, you can make even hard work feel like fun. Don't be afraid to venture into new terrains with your career pursuits and majors. With interests in English, French, music and art, I didn't quite fit in the normal curricular package. But that forced me to make the most of every opportunity. During my senior year, I applied to U of R's fifth-year scholars program, opting to study comparative arts of late-19th century France. Finally, my majors of literature and music merged with my interests in art and French. Not only did I love what I studied, but also, the tuition-free year resulted in a fourth degree and a solid idea of what graduate programs I should pursue.

CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS
Establishing professional relationships with your professors, academic-support advisors and counselors will also significantly enhance your college career. It's inevitable that you'll have at least one college crisis during your four years. If you've built up a working relationship with your advisors and teachers, they will help you get through the injury, family crisis or academic meltdown. Once you discover a mentor who shares similar academic interests, work hard for him/her. Demonstrate your interest by showing him/her you care enough to work for it through extra papers or independent studies. Not only will he/she respect that, but he/she will also help you tunnel your ideas and teach you a great deal. Your post-graduate self can also benefit from cultivating these relationships. The same teachers who mentor you during school may help you sort through graduate programs, job offers and career alternatives.

FIND A CENTER
With all the new freedom and fun college has to offer, it will be easy to get sidetracked from long-term goals for short-term satisfaction. Temptations and distractions will bombard you from every angle. So before you go, establish a personal objective. Maybe you want to fulfill a lifetime dream, pursue an inner calling, or benefit society in some form of service. Personally, the ability to make the most of my college experience stemmed from my faith. I felt I was given gifts that I had an obligation to cultivate, train, and use. Without that center in my life, I could never have maximized each day so successfully. But with a solid center and faith, I found that I really could make the most of my college experience. And have a blast in the process.

COUNT THE COSTS
With tuition rising in the new millennium, you can't afford to breeze through college. According to the U.S. Department of Education's Digest of Education Statistics 1999, the average total cost of higher education is $19,410. That's $118 a day, $24 an hour and a hefty 40-cents a minute. Being 15 minutes late to class could add up to an hour of your work-study pay. If you end up at a private institution, these numbers can be even higher. Tuition, room and board averaged $32,000 at my alma mater, the University of Rochester in New York. That means one skipped class could cost me (or my parents) a whopping $43! That's a lot of cappuccinos.

SUMMER FLING
Making the most out of your college years means using resources both in and out of the classroom as fully as possible. Summer is a great time to do just that. Internships, classes and summer study abroad programs can put you ahead in more ways than one. Internships give you professional experience, letting you explore your potential post-graduate career in a non-committal environment. Sometimes, they even lead to your future job. Hey, I used to intern for The Next Step Magazine. Cramming a quick course into the summer can free you up for more fun during the school term. In early summer, I often took the required courses that didn't interest me very much, such as statistics and geology. Not only did four-week courses fly by, but also, my grades benefited, as I had to spend time on just one subject. Summer study-abroad programs abound, with scholarships and financial aid often available. If a semester study abroad program is either not possible or is too much time away, a few months in another country can be a wonderful compromise. Experiencing a foreign culture and society may change your perspective, and maybe even your major. Plus, future employers will love to see that on you resume.

Web resources: For information on maximizing your college experience, check out these Web sites: www.review.com www.powerstudents.com www.studentadvantage.com www.collegea2z.com

Study Abroad?

So, you decided to study abroad – great! There are tons of new experiences that are waiting for you. However, you might be feeling overwhelmed or nervous about learning in an entirely new environment. The good news is that you have nothing to worry about! To help make your trip the best it can be, we’ve come up with a few tips about what you should do when you’re studying abroad.

Take advantage of learning in a different environment

One of the most rewarding things you can get out of your study abroad is the ability to experience new cultures in a way that you wouldn’t be able to in your ordinary classroom.

Chris Fiorillo, a former student at the University of Buffalo (www.buffalo.edu), studied abroad in Singapore for four months and later in Japan for 14 months. He said of his experience, “To have something learned in a classroom be reinforced on a regular basis throughout one’s daily life is extremely motivating and rewarding.”

The idea that you’re going to be learning about a foreign culture while also experiencing it at the same time is something that only study abroad students can experience. It’s important not to take for granted this unique experience and to soak up as much information as possible while you can.

Bring back something new

The opportunity to study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you should be looking to take something back with you that you can remember for the rest of your life. This can be a physical item, like a memento that reminds you of something significant that happened on your trip, or something that you can’t hold in your hand, like a memory or a piece of wisdom that you picked up.

For Fiorillo, that one thing he brought home was the Japanese term “KY” or “kooki wo yomenai,” which he says, “[the Japanese] apply to individuals who lack social awareness.” While not something that one might expect to be significant, Fiorillo says that this notion is something important he learned about the Japanese culture that he later applied to his experiences back home. He explains, “I like to think I picked up a little bit of this sensitivity [about social awareness] while there.” Don’t be afraid to stray off the beaten path

Study Abroad Your Own Way

When you’re around a lot of students who are in a similar situation as you, it can be easy to want to do all the same things the whole group is doing. But sometimes you might find the best experiences come from having your own game plan.

“Another student and I were kind of fed up with the touristy things that the bulk of the exchange students were doing,” said Fiorillo. “[We] decided to hop on the first bus out of Kobe [Japan]. It turns out that it was headed to a small coastal town four hours away called Tottori; famous as the inspiration for the desert-like setting in Kobo Abe’s Woman of the Dunes.” Fiorillo insists that this experience was unique to anything he would have done if he had stayed with the other group of students that day because he got to go somewhere unplanned and have an adventure within his larger study abroad experience.

Bon Voyage!

The decision to study abroad is something that will stick with you for the rest of your life so make it an experience that will be worth your while! Remember to take back with you all that you learn and use this time to explore something that you would have never gotten to experience otherwise. Keep all of this in mind and you’ll be in for a great study abroad experience!

Laura Sestito is a senior at Nazareth College (www.naz.edu) and is a graphic designer and writer for NextStepU Magazine.

Studying abroad is an exhiliarating, scary, fun and life-changing experience. I lived in Valencia, Spain during a semester of college and it opened my eyes to the expansive world around me. My parents were on board with me earning credits toward graduation  and gaining Spanish fluency — and I couldn’t pass up a chance to learn about myself and experience an unfamiliar culture.

I met people from around the globe with interesting accents and lives far different from my own, discovered what we had in common, how we were different and developed a sense of myself that I didn’t have before leaving college in New York State. I learned how the world could feel really big and really small at the same time and how people on the other side of the ocean have the same hopes and fears that I did. While eating delicious Spanish tapas and flamenco dancing, I soaked up a beautiful culture that helped me reflect on my own, and what it meant to me. While wandering the cobblestone streets of old Valencia, I caught a glimpse of life several centuries in the past and saw how it merged with the present.

Sure, I have cool stories about how I lived it up in another country. But Spain gave me a lot more than that. I stepped off the plane at home with confidence, maturity and insight into who I really am.

Melissa Hartford is a freelance writer in Boston, Massachusetts.