I really want to study abroad somewhere to learn language, and from what I’ve been reading the perfect time is a full year. But I don’t just want to confine myself to one area…would it be possible to go somewhere for a year and then go somewhere else for a semester? Has anyone ever done this before
Yes. It’s absolutey possible. I did just that.
Here´s a link to the type of program I did, which now costs about $3,000 in tution for the entire year. It will give you an idea of pricing, and how to register, which is super easy.
http://www.studyabroadinspain.com/academic-year-in-spain-university-of-salamanca/
If you go to a language school, you have total flexibility.
If you go to a foreign university (in Europe, for example) you still have a lot of flexibility.
There are a lot of European universities that have study abroad programs for foreign students - learn Spanish in Spain, learn Italian in Italy, etc.
Enrollment is open. All you have to have is a high school diploma and be 18 years old (in some cases only 16).
So it´s actually quite easy to spend let’s say, a semester at one university, and then a semester at another, or a semester at one university, and then a month or two at another.
If you enroll directly, the programs will be super cheap - you’ll see what I mean. Cost won’t be an issue.
Things have changed recently with visas though, so you will have to look into that.
It was a really, really awesome experience, by the way, to go from study abroad in one country to study abroad in another!
Hope this helps!
A year is really the minimum for learning a language with real fluency. I would recommend staying in one place but traveling a lot. Europe is amazing and cheap to get around, the ideal place for youth travel, particularly youth-hosteling. It is a phenomenal experience and you will discover more than you can imagine.
Except isn’t it true that most colleges require you to earn a certain amount of credits on their campus (or at least through their own study abroad programs)? Where will you get your degree from if you study abroad three semesters via open enrollment processes?
Agree with above. You’re unlikely to get credit at your home university if you do open enrollment at three different nations/schools.
OP, You have to decide: what is it you want. Studying? Learning a language? Or traveling on mom and dad’s dime?
BTW, I’ve known students who did more than a year abroad. But their travel was linked to their major. For example, comparative literature, which demanded two foreign languages. Or a degree from South Asian Studies, which encouraged more than one language. And none of these folks graduated in four years, they were excellent students who won grants for the extra semester(s).