Study Abroad

Buttonz · #1 12-16-2005, 08:51 PM

Who here has done it? Was it worth it? I'm thinking about going to Australia for the sumer...four weeks will cost me $5,600 + airfare + personal expenses...

You can get some fincial aid, but not all types.

Thoughts?

Beryana · #2 12-16-2005, 09:01 PM

I have studied abroad twice and they were some of the best things I have ever done! I was a Rotary Exchange Student to Germany right out of high school for a year and also spent a semester in Ireland my junior year of college. These were once in a lifetime opportunities and I don't regret them at all - and grew as a person (especially in a world understanding) because of them. I still keep somewhat in contact with friends in Germany and from the semester in Ireland - but am certain that I would have a place to stay if I were to be in their areas of their respective countries!

Yes, they can be expensive (and will usually go over budget) but there are also the intangibles (friends, experiences, etc) that truly are priceless.

Sarah

Xylochick216 · #3 12-16-2005, 10:11 PM

They're charging you that much for 4 weeks? I did 3 weeks in Aussiefor $2800 in 1999, and my entire 6-month trip to Aussie in 2002 (including a semester of school and travelling to 4 countries) was $6,000, and I wasn't too thrifty.

Aside from that cost, studying abroad was the single best experience in my life. I know a semester is different from 4 weeks, but being immersed in another culture really opens your eyes. Whatever you do, do NOT ruin your experience by being homesick. I've seen far too many people not get their full experience by spending all their time crying on the phone to people at home. I didn't see anyone I knew for 6 months, but I survived, and you can, too

I'd say go for it!

Senusret I · #4 12-16-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buttonz
Who here has done it? Was it worth it? I'm thinking about going to Australia for the sumer...four weeks will cost me $5,600 + airfare + personal expenses...

You can get some fincial aid, but not all types.

Thoughts?

For how many credits?

Buttonz · #5 12-16-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Senusret I
For how many credits?

13.5 credits

RACooper · #6 12-16-2005, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Senusret I
For how many credits?

Ah... some who is thinking - How man credits and are all the credits accepted by your school? That is perhaps the first question you should be asking yourself.

Senusret I · #7 12-16-2005, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buttonz
13.5 credits

Wow....well, I'll put it to you this way....

I earned six credits in four weeks for maybe three grand in the year 2000. I can't remember the exact price.

(At my school, most classes were worth three credits, and most people took five classes a semester, meeting twice a week for fifteen weeks.)

If your school is on a similar set up, then it seems to me that the price of the program will be worth it.

Senusret I · #8 12-16-2005, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RACooper
Ah... some who is thinking - How man credits and are all the credits accepted by your school? That is perhaps the first question you should be asking yourself.

Exactly....my school ran the program I went to, so there was no question about the credits.

RACooper · #9 12-16-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Senusret I
Exactly....my school ran the program I went to, so there was no question about the credits.

I have seen programs here were the core credit or two was accepted by the school, but anything extra wasn't "official"... which means it didn't count for anything other than further educating you or exposing you to new experiences.

DGMarie · #10 12-16-2005, 11:15 PM

I recently read an article that fewer than 1 % of students study abroad. The article mentioned how Washington (Democrats I think--can't recall) want to make it easier for students to do this.

I studied my entire Junior Year in France. Mulhouse (near Strasbourg). The experience was excellent and I recommend it to anyone (although not the city--blech!). Met friends I keep to this day (20 years later). It's nice for Americans to think outside of the continental box and get a taste for the rest of the world.

KatieKate1244 · #11 12-17-2005, 12:36 AM

I would dearly love to study abroad, ecspecially as I am giving serious thought to working abroad. However, my school has no program, and I'm hardly getting any financial aid, so me going abroad is not an option.

Even if your school doesn't accept the credits, do go. I imagine the experience alone would be worth the money.

Buttonz · #12 12-17-2005, 01:06 AM

It's ran through my school, so all the credits are accepted so there is no problem there. I'm just seriously wondering if it's worth the 10 grand in loans to go for four weeks.

Xylochick216 · #13 12-17-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buttonz
It's ran through my school, so all the credits are accepted so there is no problem there. I'm just seriously wondering if it's worth the 10 grand in loans to go for four weeks.

Like I said earlier, studying abroad is an incredible experience. Over 60% of students from my alma mater go abroad, and my school made it incredibl affordable. We have 3-4 week programs all around the world, and I believe the most expensive one i around $4000 now. If you're going to take out $10,000 in loans, I don't know if it would be worth it. I said before that my six month trek around Australia (for which I got 18 credits and travelled to several countries plus all around Australia) was only around $6k. I'd try to find another school to go through if yours is charging such a high amount.

ejbiff · #14 12-17-2005, 11:19 AM

I know 10grand is a lot of money, BUT think of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you'll be having. Are you staying with families? If you are, you will NEVER be able to get an experience like that if you were to vacation over there. If I had the opportunity to study abroad, I would have. GO FOR IT!!

Xylochick216 · #15 12-17-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ejbiff
I know 10grand is a lot of money, BUT think of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences you'll be having. Are you staying with families? If you are, you will NEVER be able to get an experience like that if you were to vacation over there. If I had the opportunity to study abroad, I would have. GO FOR IT!!

Again, find another school to go through. $10k is a ripoff for 4 weeks in Australia. Plenty of schools offer programs like this for a lot less, and the experiences are the same. Do some research first. I'm a huge advocate for going abroad, but not with some program that charges you way too much when you can get it for much cheaper.