I am an incoming freshman at Tulane University double majoring in Political Economy and Musical Theatre. I realize this in itself is demanding, but I am up for the challenge of following two of my passions. I am also very interested in having some sort of international experience. The challenge is that I would have to study abroad during the fall or spring semester, or entire academic year, just not the summer due to academic scholarships covering tuition and fees. I would prefer the fall semester as I would still be able to audition for Summer Lyric Theatre in the Spring. I am primarily interested in studying in the British Isles and Northern/Central Europe, but I am open to other options as well. Just looking for advice and insight in a field I know little about regarding Tulane. Thanks everyone!
Tulane has an excellent Study Abroad program. It has literally been life changing for thousands of people over the years. It benefits from very strong relationships with universities, residences, special programs, etc, that it has cultivated over many years. If you have not done so yet, take a look at the Study Abroad home page at http://tulane.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.Home. I would contact the program director, Josh Burns at (504) 865-5339. Maybe Josh can arrange for you to speak with students who have gone through the program in a particular location you are interested in. Best of luck.
In addition to @NJDad68 's excellent advice, I would say that if you start planning early with your advisor and the study abroad people, you should be able to get the right situation wherein you can attend a school in those locations that has the courses you want and need and will transfer credit without any issues. That way any concerns about staying on track with your challenging double major should be alleviated. Certainly you can make it known to your advisor(s) immediately this is your plan, but you can get more seriously into the details at the beginning of your second year at Tulane. Then you can take your time making sure everything is in place for you to be in the UK or wherever in the Fall of your 3rd year.
I would also add that most students only go abroad for a semester these days, not for a year. That is something that has changed in the last 2-3 decades I think. They also tend to go in the Fall or Spring if going for the more traditional, full set of classes route. Those that go in the summer are usually going attached to some sort of special research project or as a kind of vacation with a course or two attached to it. I don’t mean that last one derogatorily, that is a wonderful thing to be able to do. I just mean it isn’t really the same as the full study abroad experience a student gets going at the traditional times. Kind of like when people visit US campuses in the summer. They just aren’t the same with most students gone.
Bottom line, I see no reason you should not be able to do everything you have stated is important to you with the proper planning.