<p>Hello,</p>
<p>Hoping there are a few people here who can help me. I've been researching A LOT of options for study abroad (programs and independent study included) and I was wondering about other opinions from people who have used programs. </p>
<p>Is there a particular program you really feel is worth the money you spent? Or a particular company that went above and beyond what they had to in order to make your study abroad trip that much better? Just trying to get a better gauge as to what's out there so I can make a more informed decision.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Lots of factors that go into a choice. First is the country where you’d like to study, then the subjects you’re interested in studying. Once you’ve narrowed that down my own feeling is that once you’ve decided on your possible budget you need to look as carefully as possible at all the details of the program to see if it feels right for you. Not an easy task since you may not actually be able to have a face to face meeting with anyone who is either teaching or administering the program. Probably the place to begin is to ask yourself the things you think you’d most value in such a program: location, size, study subjects, do you want to try to improve foreign language skills, would you like to live with a host family, in a dorm/residence hall or an independent apartment, etc., etc. And with these answers in mind it might help you more easily find the program that best matches you.</p>
<p>Personally, I’ve most enjoyed the smaller programs which give more individual attention. Sometimes they’re more expensive but that’s not always the case. You do also have to watch out that sometimes the programs which advertise the most aren’t always as dedicated to the education side as they are to getting students into their program. Therefore, you may have to do a little more digging to find the best programs.</p>