Being a high school grad is an exciting time in life, and one who is a young adult has their whole life ahead of them. However, such a time is an era to start making bigger decisions, such as where and how to go to school. Those who are considering studying abroad entertain a unique opportunity, yet such an adventure warrants key questions to ensure a successful and enriching experience.
What Is it Going to Be Like?
While a student could fill the entire day dreaming about what it might be like, it’s much more practical to get a sense of what it will really be like. Therefore, contact the school, department, and professors connected with the abroad program. Inquire about additional resources and whether you can talk to students who have been through it.
Who Can I Depend Upon?
A young person who is just graduating high school or has a year or two of junior college under their belt may not be used to being away from home. You’ll want to know who and what you can depend upon when living in a foreign place. Will you be assigned an adult chaperon or overseer? Will you be living with another student from your university? What happens if you get sick or injured?
What Experiences Will I Encounter?
You can get a college education online, so studying abroad should also incorporate a lot of supplemental experiences. For example, do you want more exposure to art, people, or a particular field of study and practice? If so, inquire about whether you’ll have enough time to explore the things that interest you and that initially attract you to a study destination.
How Much Freedom Will I Have?
Closely aligned with the above sentiment is having enough freedom to do the things you want. For example, will the demands of the foreign study program be too rigorous to allow you to have free time and days to yourself? Does the study program incorporate a work portion where you’ll have to devote hours toward making an income in addition to reserving time to study? Read about abroad programs associated with Cambridge summer school.
How Affordable Is It?
Unfortunately, not all colleges are out for the best interest of students and families. Some lure students into programs that are attached to an extremely high price tag. Be sure that your intended program is affordable as well as offers multiple ways to pay. Parents should not bear the burden of paying tuition for a spoiled student who wants to study abroad because ‘it sounds cool.’ If a student is truly serious, they should also be concerned with how to help pay for school.
Is the Immediate and Surrounding Area Safe?
We live in times of political unrest and ongoing war. While no university is going to station students in a war zone, a student will want to research the immediate as well as surrounding areas of the study destination. Additionally, some students may pay proper respect to the concerns of guardians by being extra diligent in researching a place.
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