<p>Are freshmen able to study abroad? It seems as though study abroad programs are mostly reserved for upperclassmen. If so, why is that, and which schools offer freshman study abroad programs? Even studying overseas for les than one semester is sufficient; in fact, it's almost more appealing to me.</p>
<p>You may want to consider taking a gap year to travel abroad. Or join a summer program before your Freshman year.</p>
<p>First of all, I don’t know of any study abroad programs that are less than a semester (or quarter) except for those during the summer. </p>
<p>Secondly, I can’t name any schools that let freshman study abroad. But I can tell you why that is probably uncommon (or very rare): Freshman year is a great time to get to know your classmates and your school. Everybody is figuring everything out at once. If you go abroad immediately or shortly thereafter, you’ll miss all of this. You’ll come back to a school you barely know, and all of the other students your age will have learned a lot in your absence. You won’t know the others in your class. Also, some programs have language requirements, and many students take a few semesters of the language in their first few semesters, then go abroad.</p>
<p>Where do you want to study, and why? What do you hope to get out of your program?</p>
<p>mrbc, I believe the OP is talking about study abroad trips over breaks. Clarkk, at my institution, freshmen may participate on these trips. They are one or two weeks and count for elective credit. </p>
<p>As mebc said, studying abroad your freshman year is not a good idea. Your transition to college will be taxing enough. No sense making it more difficult than it needs to be. Plus, if you go as a junior or sophomore you can integrate your earlier classes into your experience.</p>
<p>Freshmen accepted for January/spring admission at Northeastern are required to do the NUin program the preceding fall semester (first semester freshman year). You choose between London, Greece, Australia, or Costa Rica.</p>
<p>Is this a right place for my question?
I am a freshman and have opp to go to China for four weeks.
What kind of visa do I need?</p>
<p>Our dd just got accepted to a summer program at bu. In order to qualify, she had to apply, get recommendations, and have a really good Gpa her first semester freshman year. I can’t imagine a better incentive to focus first semester- she got the best grades of her life!</p>
<p>Whoops… Meant to say the program is for the summer after freshman year.</p>
<p>There are some pretty good reasons why you have to wait to study abroad. It is an expensive process and kids need to be used to college life before they take that step. There are so many new students that don’t make it through that first year and no parent wants to spend that kind of money to send a kid on what would basically be a vacation if they are not focused.</p>
<p>It is important to have some education already behind you so that you can appreciate the experience of a semester abroad. One thing that college does is make people think of things that previously never crossed their mind. Many will study other cultures in some way in college which will help you to appreciate the abroad experience as well.</p>
<p>A semester abroad is definitely something that kids should have to work toward. It is something that should be appreciated for all that it has to offer. For a lot of people it will be the only chance that they get to go to the particular country they are studying in. Travel is expensive and for most of us getting a semester abroad is pretty special, and should be treated that way.</p>