So, I’m one of those (annoying) people who always tries to do it all. I’m currently thinking about majoring in 2 fields that are not only incredibly compatible and useful for my future career (whatever it may be; I would have options), but that I also really enjoy.
However, if I were to complete both of these majors, I would not have room in my schedule to study abroad in England (hopefully Oxbridge) for one semester, assuming I don’t overload my schedule. I won’t be able to satisfy major requirements while studying abroad; maybe graduation requirements (that doesn’t really do me any good though), but I can double check. I have a few options -
take more than the typical courseload per semester so I can fit in all the classes I want to take AND study abroad. However, even taking the typical courseload at my college almost killed me last semester because I have this crazy need to be perfect in all of them (the two majors are arguably the hardest, most time-consuming ones at my school) AND also volunteer, be a leader in orgs, and have an exciting social life. So if I were to do this, I would have to sacrifice other aspects of my life that are arguably as important. Would this detract from my college experience? Which is more important?
only major in one and minor in the other so I can study abroad. My problem with this is that I don't perceive a minor to be good enough. I view it as an inadequacy and I don't think I would be okay with only dabbling in something, especially something that I enjoy and that I intend to maybe make a big part of my future career.
double major and don't study abroad, whilst also enjoying my intellectually stimulating liberal arts school by taking other interesting classes I want to take, have all my extracurricular activities and my social life.
So I guess the questions I’m asking are:
Which route should I take? What would make me most happy with my decision in the future when I think back? Which option will do me the most good in terms of personal, intellectual, and emotional growth?
How important, REALLY, is studying abroad? Especially since doing so would not fulfill major requirements. A large percentage of my school goes abroad junior year. If I don't, I would kind of feel like I'm missing out on an important experience. But then again, once I'm making the big bucks (which I'm sure my two majors would allow me to if I do well in them), I can still travel. So is it really pertinent that I rush to do so while I'm in college and should arguably focus on my studies?
Sorry for the long post, and hope someone has some commentary!
Have you thought about all your options for studying abroad? For example, could you study abroad through a short-term program? Could you get a co-op abroad?
Many students don’t take major requirements when their studying abroad. Can you fulfill general education requirements while abroad? At my school, it’s generally recommended to save GE or graduation requirements for when you study abroad since it’s easier to get those courses to transfer. If so many students at your school study abroad, I would imagine that has to be a possibility. What do all of those other students take when they study abroad?
Could you go abroad for a summer term, instead of during a semester? I know a lot of students who did summer programs abroad because they were in tightly constrained academic programs.
But if you’re absolutely set on what you’ve decided for your academic program, then I would recommend forgoing studying abroad. If you just want the experience of international travel or living someone internationally, you have your entire life to do so. This won’t be your only chance to go abroad, if it’s something you really want to do. It will be harder to get a degree in an unrelated field after undergrad if that is something you decide you want later.
You’re definitely not annoying for wanting to do it all. It’s really great that you’re so interested in so many things!
I don’t think it’s reasonable to double major for the sake of double majoring. If you find that both majors would be useful to your career, then go for it. But in the long run I don’t think there are many benefits that make it worth it.
Minors are always useful though. That might be the way to go. Sometimes you can also double major with enough overlap in both programs that the courseload is about equal to a major and a minor.
I have not studied abroad, and I didn’t intend to until a favorite teacher of mine told me about his experience and how he thinks it’s so important and valuable. Plus, college is pretty much the most convenient time to go abroad, as you will soon have responsibilities with family and work - best to take advantage of it while you can.
It is possible to double major and study abroad though, as some of the previous posters mentioned. Talk to your advisors and see if they can make it work for you. There’s so many different options that your school may or may not have so best to look into those more in detail.
Studying abroad is so much more of a life-changing experience than double-majoring. If you can take classes in the other field - even minor - and still have the opportunity to study abroad, you should definitely do that.
Traveling for a vacation is a totally different experience than studying abroad, and doesn’t really replace that. The truth is that unless you apply for a program like Fulbright or JET, or are working in a career that involves stints abroad, your chances to live abroad for an extended period of time kind of diminish after college unless you make the concerted effort to relocate and find work in a new country.
Why do you view a minor as an inadequacy?
Summer abroad programs are not an option for many students who need to take their financial aid with them.
I’m totally biased in this case and I admit it - my only regret for studying abroad is that I wish I had taken a full year instead of just a semester - but I really think you should go for the studying abroad. And I agree with @dragongly26:
Thanks everyone! I think I’m probably going to find a way to do both.
I guess my biggest worry with this is that I won’t have much room in my schedule to take some other non-major related courses that I might want to take purely for the sake of learning/curiosity (as is always encouraged at these liberal arts colleges - exploration and whatnot).