If there's anything I've learned it to take EVERY chance you get to travel...I'm absolutely addicted. This year alone I'm doing London and the Carribbean and Puerto Rico. After graduation is a month in Europe.....who knows, I may never come back! With all the talk about study abroad I just may have to look into it, I'm already a year behind and never really considered it seriously cause there is so much other stuff that I want to do. Is studying abroad in Graduate School actually widely avaliable?

Yes, although the abundance of options depends on what you want to do. Within my school, there are many, many funded study and work abroad options.

Yes and I highly recommend it. I did a year abroad in France my junior year and 10 months in Brazil for my masters internship. If you do go abroad, whatever you do, try to make the best of it and try to avoid hanging out with just other Americans or you will short change your experience.

No, but I almost did and I regret not doing it. I registered for a class that made me eligible to participate in a learning community. Every year they would have a different theme and do something with it. The year that I signed up for the course, the students would take specified classes in the fall semester and for the spring semester they would go to study in Spain. The problem was that I would have to change my schedule to fully participate in it. I also dropped the class that made me eligible. If I decide to return to graduate school, I would definitely consider that option. My advice is if you have the opportunity, GO FOR IT!!!!!

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are there any websites or programs that just do study abroad programs independently? my issue is that i am a college grad and can probably do a study abroad program thru the JC i am taking a few classes at BUT information is not readily available. I have heard they do Italy trips in the fall so I am aiming for that but are there any companies that just do abroad programs without having to be a full time student at a university?

Hmm, I think the Goethe Institute does something like this in German-speaking countries, to go stay at the Institute and intensively learn the language and culture for any time periods from two weeks, a month, a summer, a semester, etc. They may have something similar in other languages!

Alliance Francias is the French equiv and this is the Goethe FYI!

Studying abroad was definately one of the best thigs that I have ever done. You have no idea how much the experiences opened my mind,and expanded my view of the world. I live in a rural area, and went to small schools all of my life with little diversity. Although my parents raised me to be very openminded and liberal, I still didn't have experience to really put those values to use. I didn't need to because everyone I was in contact with was just like me--white, upper middle-class, girl next door kinda kid. I went to Spain my sophomore year for a month, and Amsterdam my freshman year and Italy my senior year. They were all wonderful! I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned and how much different life is there--its such a culture shock. I truly felt like a new person when I got back. I know it sounds corny but its really the best thing that you can do in undergrad--or even after you graduate. I woud definately urge anyone considering it to stop thinking and get on the next plane! I know that finances are a problem, but take a loan out--its worth it.

OH and by the way! to answer your question, I went with a group called Contiki Tours, and I did go with my university but I know that they do tours no affiliated with a school. Our tour guide was AWESOME--her name was Justine, and she was like 23-24--so around our age. Its definately a tour group that I would recommend!