Getting the Most Out of Your Study Abroad Experience

Getting the Most Out of Your Study Abroad Experience

If you have decided to spend several months abroad, either with a university program or otherwise, how much you get out of your experience is entirely up to you. Time will fly by while you're in your new, temporary home, and many people find that the opportunity to study abroad only presents itself once. Before boarding the plane to your destination, try to make a list of your goals and what you hope to gain from your abroad experience.

One of the most important decisions one can make about their abroad experience is where to stay. Many international programs offer dormitories or residential halls where students can choose to stay. However, many programs also offer the option of living in a home-stay, in which a local family provides a room for you for the length of your stay. Staying with a family can be one of the most eye-opening,educational, and fun parts of a trip abroad because it provides constant, first-hand exposure to that country's culture. It also allows you to easily make friends who know their way around the city and can answer any questions you may have.

Many students who have studied abroad claim that the most valuable aspect of their experience was authentically learning about the culture by meeting locals and going to the places they recommend. In most major cities where study abroad sights are located, there are usually two options for restaurants, cafes, bars, and activities: the touristy, overly-hyped destination, or the smaller, hole-in-the-wall spot that is popular among locals. Scoping out these places can be challenging and require a little research, but being able to see how locals spend their time can be one of the best parts of an experience abroad.

One of the most vital ways to enhance an experience in another country is by intensive language classes. Regardless of your fluency level before taking your trip abroad, it is important to fill up as much of your time in the new country as possiblelearning the language. Knowing more of the language is just like being given a key to the city in which you are residing. You will be able to meet and truly converse with locals; read local publications and comprehend local news; and gain a deeper understanding more about the topics being discussed while you are there.

Even though there are many strategies for approaching your time abroad, make sure to recognize what you want to gain from the experience and hit the ground running when you arrive. Most students don't realize how quickly the time will seem to pass, so embrace it while you can!

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