<p>My daughter, a HS junior, is considering both Furman and Elon. Study abroad is very important to her...she wants to travel the world! It seems like at Elon it would be fairly easy for her to have multiple abroad experiences, and do perhaps two semesters abroad and two winter terms abroad, all in different countries. When we visited Furman, we asked our tour guide if any Furman students ever had multiple study abroad experiences and she speculated that with careful planning it's probably possible, but she had never heard of anybody doing this.</p>
<p>Do any Furman parents/students know of any Furman students who have studied away from Furman at more than one program during their undergraduate years? Is it a very difficult and unusual thing to do?</p>
<p>My student is an entering freshman, so I have only anecdotal info from students I have met on campus. Yes, I think it is possible to have multiple study abroad experiences. One or so as a semester experience and then also during “May-mester”. The only thing I would think about now is travel-study abroad sounds interesting, romantic, and a wonderful academic experience. However, once on campus will your student be involved with organizations, clubs, groups, getting internships, and research opportunities? Once you realize all there is to do and get involved with your student may do one or two study abroads and then look forward to all the other opportunities Furman has to offer. This is the journey my daughter has taken. She wants to do it all and realizes even now there is more to do than can be done. What an exciting reality, choices, choices and even more great choices!</p>
<p>Each year there are several overseas opportunities offered through May Experience which is an optional 3-week term beginning after graduation. This year there are groups traveling to China, Guatemala, New Zealand and Turkey. Graduating seniors can also participate in May Experience so there would be 4 opportunities for this type of travel in addition to a full semester abroad. I’m afraid I don’t have any experience with Furman’s study abroad program to answer your question about multiple semesters abroad. </p>
<p>My daughter is finishing up her sophomore year at Furman and has struggled with the dilemma mommamocha mentioned. She wants the experience of studying abroad but doesn’t want to give up even one semester of the Furman experience. Yes, she wants to do it all! Her solution is to take a May Experience course pertaining to her major followed by a 6-week summer program in Europe which is sponsored by another university. Many of her friends, however, have participated in Furman’s study abroad program and have had wonderful experiences.</p>
<p>traveling abroad doesn’t have to cost much more than regular expenses excepting plane tix and pocket money. even thirty years ago I did three months in the Middle East with Furman and time in Italy and France (fantastic learning experience…Furman expects these trips to be very academic). also did a semester in NYC seeing a play pretty much every day in a theater winter term…back in my era.<br>
Winter term is over/no longer… since Furman went to the semester system with Maymester…more typical and more in line with the schedules of other students at peer colleges.
My son’s semester in Berlin with Duke/Davidson cost us less than a semester at Duke in room and board costs…won’t say we saved money but if your son or daughter is low maintenance with out of pocket spending…most things are possible. Vandy son’s coming semester abroad won’t cost us a penny more sans airfare than his normal package per semester.
Maymester is an extra cost most of the time…as is summer school…that won’t be covered by your normal merit dollars if you have them…but you can always also apply for grants for service, research and learning programs at Furman.
Speaking of Berlin, Furman’s program in Germany is exceptional with high participation. My suitemate did a semester in Turkey with Furman teachers…another suitemate went to Furman in England which has a rich history and included London and weeks in Stratford as well as winter break independent travel. Another friend lived in Japan. Furman students can also go to tons of programs that are not Furman sponsored…there are so many programs that are open to scores of colleges out there although I think Furman sponsored programs have advantages including great access and great memories with Furman professors and their foreign adjuncts. You can access Furman magazine online to see a lot of relevant articles about contemporary programs abroad.</p>
<p>Personally, I know of a handful of people who have done, or will do, multiple semester-length study abroad programs. It’s extremely difficult to do this in some majors–namely the hard sciences and music–but very, very doable in others (Political Science). Additionally, you can easily study abroad four times through the May X program, which does not conflict with any other classes or programs. I’m going to China this May, and I haven’t had the chance to do any other study abroad trips. There is also the summer Washington, DC program, and a few study abroads that are for parts of a semester. </p>
<p>Most study away programs seek to fulfill a few GenEd requirements, as well, so that’s helpful. All in all, it’s extremely doable, few people do it (for various reasons), but it does require advance planning and foresight.</p>
<p>Definitely doable. I’m in Washington DC this semester (getting ready to leave) and I am going to China in May as well (looks like the identity of woody2013 will be revealed!) Just kidding, but yes, definitely doable. I would also agree with woody in that it will be much easier in some majors then others. I’m a political science major so it is pretty easy to do.</p>
<p>As above, if a student does a semester study abroad program, plus May program gives a student a rich experience. As Faline pointed out,it is important to remember that Furman’s study abroad programs are academically rigorous. If your D/S think of it as “travel-away” versus study away then, the reality can be pretty harsh. Our son spent 3 1/2 months this fall in the UK program and traveled everywhere from remote places in Scotland, ireland and England. His group studied at Trinity College in Ireland, University of Edinburgh, Durham University, and 10 days in Stratford with a world-re-known Shakespeare scholar. However, he also spent all of last summer reading and writing papers and taking exams-prior to departure. Our daughter just returned from a 9 week program that was interdisciplinary in scope: Religion, Art History, Biology, and Writing. Her group had a wonderful time, but had to spend a lot of time writing reports, etc. at night, when other schools might have been at clubs. </p>
<p>Scholarships and loans normally given to a student will go toward the cost of the semester abroad, so it may/may not be as difficult as it seems. Our experience is that the “independent travel” portion of programs are where costs can add up. If you choice is between Elon and Furman, Furman is a clear winner in terms of academic experience. professors, etc. Good luck with your search this coming year-it is an exciting time.</p>