So, recently I have been keenly interested in participating in a high school semester abroad program in Italy for my Senior year (AFS Exchange). I just have so many worries. Not to mention the cost, how will doing this affect my college chances?
I’m also worried about missing out on Senior year activities; although, I’ve been trying to convince myself that being in a whole other country is much better than missing prom! But it’s really hard.
My mother and I are leaning more towards a summer abroad(5 weeks) either my junior year summer or my senior yr. My only worry about that is that I might not get to be in contact with quite as many teens (from Italy) since school is no longer in session.
I’m doing a year program in France for my senior year right now with AFS. It’s really a great experience and I think the things you’ll discover living abroad are much more enriching than experiencing senior year with your friends, although there are some things you’ll miss. If you want full language immersion I would go for the year program (not to mention it’s a lot more bang for your buck with AFS). With the year program you’ll make lots of friends at school and it won’t be so hard to be away from your friends at home in my opinion. Good luck!
Beside the “bang for your buck” aspect and the social aspect, another reason why going during the school year is better is that you discover either new subjects or subjects you knew but from another perspective. Colleges know that and it’ll seriously help you stand out and “get respect” (not the right word but you get the idea) when you apply to colleges and indicate you’ll spend six months in an entirely different language, culture, and environment. They also know that the inner resources you’ll have to develop then will serve you well in college, will make you more mature, resilient, and resourceful than most American seniors.
Finally, senior prom is just like junior prom. Seriously, it’s overblown by movies and tv shows, but it’s the same. If you’ve done one, you’ve got the other. If you want prom memories, make them junior year. Don’t let that hold you back.
@brown1111@MYOS1634 How does/did the application process work for you? Did you get recommendations in before going abroad? Or are you able to complete your applications and essays while you are away? DD is considering AFS and if she goes we are wondering if she would be better off delaying her admissions cycle so she can do it from here. We would love to get your perspectives.
IMO, you have to go whole hog or not at all. A semester honestly isn’t enough–to form real friendships, to learn the language, to go through the full cycle of culture shock/adjustment. And a summer program might be fun but won’t have lasting consequences, nor provide a boost to your applications (b/c any kids with enough money can do five weeks in Europe). I recommend doing a whole year, and if that sounds too terrifying or you’re not willing to give up either senior year or go as a gap year, then it’s probably not the best fit. A year is when you learn about yourself as a person, about another culture deeply and intimately, when you really acclimate to the language & culture, and change forever, for the better. And a year is actually really impressive on a college application (almost no Americans do a year abroad in high school) and can actually give you a real edge in applications. The trick with going senior year is many fold. Some schools won’t accept your credits so you actually have to repeat the year. If they do accept the credits, you’ll have to do all your college testing & apps from abroad, which could be problematic. It might work best, therefore, to do senior year but then take a gap year when you get back and apply then. That’s what I would do. (I was an exchange student as a junior, so I was back for senior year)
@parentparent123 A young woman we know went abroad as a senior. Yes, she secured her LORs before she left; she applied from Argentina and even retook her SATs there. She enjoyed writing about the experience in her college essays; she even had an interview with an Ivy rep over Skype. Made for a good conversation, which they conducted in part in Spanish.
As for credits - the young woman had met most of her her school’s graduation requirements before she left. Her high school accepted the courses she took in Argentina on a pass/fail basis, so her GPA was unaffected. You should check with your high school’s counselors what the process would be in your daughter’s case.
This young woman didn’t postpone college; she started her freshman year a couple of months after returning to the US.
I also agree with the poster above that going for a full year makes much more sense than a semester/summer. The longer stay is also respected by colleges more.
The letters of recommendation need to be asked for ahead of time, written and ready to be uploaded.
You have two choices:
1° apply to college senior year, once admitted ask for a deferral to go study abroad (typically granted), spend year after HS graduation abroad, return as a college freshman after year abroad
or
2° Secure LORs before leaving (make sure they’re ready to upload), get all testing done before leaving, complete all basics of commonapp in August before leaving. Study abroad and write your essays during your time there. Complete application from there. Make sure you’ll be located in a country where schools are well-equiped with computers and where families typically have wifi.
@parentparent123 I asked for my recommendations winter junior year and did all my application stuff the summer after junior year. I guess it depends on how many colleges you’re applying to (I did 12) but I think finishing up before is totally do-able.
I’m also doing a year program with Diversity Abroad. Feels like we’re on the same page although I’m quite excited with where I’ll be heading to There’s also that feeling of not being able to relate with people my age but nevertheless it’s the experience that still counts, right? You’ll be the one to decide how things would turn out so make it turn our GREAT and Fulfilling
@brown1111@MYOS1634@katliamom Thank you all for your input on this topic. My daughter feels strongly about wanting to do a whole year as well, so we are still planning to take that plunge! You have armed us with some great food for thought and things to work on pulling together now. More questions may follow.
@parentparent123 – neither you nor your daughter will regret it. A year abroad can be a life-changer. Yes, your daughter will have hard moments. But everything worthwhile entails some hard moments. The rewards are enormous. Good luck! Can you share where your daughter is going?
Do a year abroad. High school overseas will be much more meaningful than one more year of your same high school in the US. I was an exchange student in high school and it was life-changing.
@katliamom Targeting Japan but nothing is locked down yet. Still waiting for the final word. She is gung ho and ready to go! I am the one periodically worrying! Thanks so much for the encouragement. Will post an update when things get more solidified.
Can you do a year after you graduate as sort of a gap year?
If not, talk to your Guidance Counselor and teachers now and ask for recommendations.
YOu can probably take the SAT abroad.
Also Youth for Understanding is a great program too.
