Study Abroad Programs: Finding a Study Abroad Program

Once you have decided to study abroad, you have to find the study abroad program that is right for you. There are thousands of study abroad programs available. There are programs for every major, interest and language. Finding the right program may seem overwhelming. Fortunately the web will make your search much easier.

• If you are at school right now, the first thing you should do is visit your school's Study Abroad or Overseas studies office. They will have information on programs available through your school. They will tell you the requirements for earning academic credit for your program and a lot of useful information.
• Do not feel constricted by the choices offered by your school. What if you want to study journalism in Slovenia and you cannot find a program through your school. Well then it is time to search the web. There may just be a program available out there. (You can check out some of the links provided or do your own search.)
• Before choosing a program read some Basic Facts on Study Abroad in the 21st Century.
• Studying at a University is not the only option when it comes to going abroad. If you cannot find a journalism program in Slovenia, but you speak Slovenian, you could volunteer or intern at a Slovenian newspaper. If you think you might want to intern or volunteer abroad, then Co-oping And Interning Abroad offers some suggestions for finding an internship in another country.

  Some things to keep in mind about internships:

  • Finding an internship is not as easy as finding an established study program.
  • You may find that you love the field the internship is in, or you may hate it.
  • Knowing the language and work culture is very important in another country.
  • The experience is more important then the paycheck. You might intern for pay or academic credit. In many countries there are restrictions on international students getting paid.

What if I don't know another language?

Study abroad is not only for students who know another language. You do not need to be fluent in a foreign language. Even if the only language you speak is English, you can still study abroad. Going to a non-English speaking country may seem scary, but there are still many options for you even if you only speak English. You could: Study in an English-speaking country

• Go to a non-English speaking country in which courses are taught in English
• Learn enough of the language to communicate and then continue to study the language while abroad. You may have a much easier time learning a language in daily use instead of just learning it in the classroom.
• Learn the language while overseas in intense language classes
• Be fluent enough to be able to study and live with ease.

What if I am not a Junior?

Traditionally Study Abroad programs were only open to students in their Junior year. However many study abroad programs are now open to most students and there are many programs either open to or designed for graduate students. If you are a graduate student, you might consider doing an internship or doing independent research in the country of your choice.

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