The experience of travel is immeasurable. Whether your college student dreams of backpacking through Europe after graduation or wants to study abroad, immersion in another country and culture provides unparalleled rewards. Exploring cultures and discovering diverse ways of life can equip a young person with esteemed life skills and unique perspectives.
Study Abroad Interest & Direction
If your son or daughter wants to study abroad through the university, he or she should meet with the college’s study abroad advisor or academic advisor. A school advisor is qualified and equipped to help interested students understand various the policies. The student’s major will be taken into account so that a study abroad program can enhance a specific academic plan. Ohio University, for example, hosts a study abroad fair where students can learn about traveling opportunities. On OU’s website, students can visit the Education Abroad page to request an online application form, check out walk-in advising, gather info about orientation and link to its studying abroad Facebook page.
Location Search
If you want your son or daughter to travel with an outside provider and not through the university, encourage him to research countries where he’d like to travel. Create dialogue around how that type of experience could help him meet educational goals.
- Will this trip be a way to become fluid in a foreign language through immersion?
- Will this trip provide first-hand insight on a country’s culture, politics and economy?
- How will geography, weather and transportation affect the experience?
- Do rural or urban environments make a difference? How safe is the environment and how high are health and security risks for infectious disease and identity theft, for example?
Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for students to complete certain requirements before participating in a study abroad program. Help your college student meet those requirements by identifying the right classes to take, especially foreign language courses, as well as the number of credits to obtain. Students may also fulfill credits and elective requirements while studying overseas or elect a pass/fail option, which are details to solidify with an advisor and study-abroad office. Time is important. Applications can take up to six months and if a student doesn’t meet the necessary prerequisites, he or she will need the time to work toward them.
Funds
How much is this going to cost me? That question will be this dark shadow looming over the exciting prospect of traveling overseas. To budget for a study abroad trip, you must plan ahead. By deciding to study abroad early during an academic career, your college student can compete for scholarships. Visit the Institute of International Education for Study Abroad Funding, www.studyabroadfunding.org, to search for extensive study abroad funding opportunities, from scholarships and fellowships to grants and paid internships.
If your high school student is applying for colleges, look into study abroad programs and financial aid during this time as well. The assistant director of international education and international student services at Elmhurst College, Alice Niziolek, tells Bankrate.com that students should ask about financial aid package transfers and educational exchanges. Traveling to more affordable destinations, such as China, Costa Rica and South Africa, is also a solution.
The most important takeaway is that the early bird catches the worm, from inquiring about policies and destinations to applying for scholarships and programs.