<p>Next year, I might be going to a top 100 public school 10 minutes away from my house. Money wouldn't be an issue since my education would be very cheap, the University says you can transfer a maximum of 85 credits, I'll have 45 from AP and classes I took at a community college (the credits will transfer I checked), so while I technically can study abroad for 40 more credits is this a good idea? Would Grad schools like to see this or would they want me to spend more time at home? I want to Study Abroad, cause I want to see the world, and leave the boring area where I reside for a bit.</p>
<p>I think study abroad is a positive experience, but there’s no reason why it has to be the way that you see the world. Why not go travelling one summer? Make it your mission to buy a plane ticket, then live as cheaply as possible whilst you’re out there - hostels, public transport, cooking for yourself. It can be a lot of fun, it won’t cost as much as some study abroad programmes, and because you’ll move from place to place you’ll get to see much more of the place that you decide to go to.</p>
<p>boomting - whoever you are, I find myself often agreeing with you when I come across your posts.</p>
<p>kool321 - 45 credits from CLEP! Cool! </p>
<p>I studied abroad a couple of times - and during one of my stays I actually had my dad send me some university texts - marketing, management, and economics - when I got back to the States after studying abroad, I took and passed exams for all 4! Smart move! Lol!</p>
<p>“I want to see the world…” You said it - so do it! I think study abroad is great for everyone - but I think it’s especially fantastic for those who really have that desire to go abroad, learn languages, experience other cultures…</p>
<p>Because you mentioned CLEP here’s a link [Independent</a> Study Abroad in Spain and Germany - How I Did It - Blog](<a href=“http://www.budgetstudyabroad.com/blog/independent-study-abroad-in-spain-and-germany-how-i-did-it-16.html]Independent”>http://www.budgetstudyabroad.com/blog/independent-study-abroad-in-spain-and-germany-how-i-did-it-16.html) - CLEP is mentioned it it, but there was another article that talked about studying abroad during summers and even after you have graduated.</p>
<p>As far as credits, most universities have a minimum number of credits that you have do at their university. They may also have other requirements, like “all upper level courses in your major” (or something similar) have to be done at their university. </p>
<p>So, look over your school’s policy and see count how many credits you’ve been awarded from outside.</p>
<p>If you have crossed those thresholds, you might not be able to transfer more - depends entirely on your school.</p>
<p>As for study abroad and grad school - I think that any grad school will highly value your time spend abroad, especially if you’ve picked up marketable skills, cultural awareness, etc.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. I got permission from my school to study abroad for three semesters because they’re relevant to my studies, though I would be the first one at the school to do it (not a hundred percent sure if I’m going to do the third one; study abroad can be expensive 
). I don’t think schools typically encourage it – a freshman friend of mine asked about it too and was told to rethink it and that I was a bit of a special case.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how grad schools see it. I’m a modern languages major, so if I go to grad school (which I’m not sure I will) in that area, it would probably be beneficial for me. If you’re an engineering student or something, though, it maybe wouldn’t look so great.</p>