<p>A friend of mine went to Florence in June and he loved it, he said he got five credits for doing nothing. They went to classes four days a week and mostly were field trips, after that they were on their own enjoying the Tuscan wine and beer.
Besides summers abroad, are there any serious studies abroad with scholarships (I cant afford trips like that and I dont drink)?</p>
<p>Maybe friend was not serious about his summer studies, but for some these classes are challenging. Mostly, summer abroad classes offer cultural & conversation classes, and if you are not proficient in the language the classes will be challanging! If you are looking for a serious challenge why not spend a semester abroad(?)</p>
<p>Missmolly, do you have experience with the study abroad at Wash U? Besides the summer program offered to art students (taught in English with no requirements beyond paying full price), is there any academically challenging program? I can’t find the information.</p>
<p>Trapper, I actually talked to the people in charge of that program in Italy and they weren’t happy with the Wash U kids, maybe this year group wasn’t prepared to go abroad.</p>
<p>This website may help: <a href="http://artsci.wustl.edu/%7Eoverseas/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://artsci.wustl.edu/~overseas/index.html</a>
I don't have any experience with the program, but I hope to at some point! : )</p>
<p>There isn’t enough information as cressmom said. I know summer programs don’t require languages or high GPA (2.0) and it is open to everyone with more than $ 5,000 to spend.
Olin has semesters abroad, but not everybody is accepted. The easy way to go abroad is A&S.
My brother went to Australia in his junior year, he had a great time, but it was more expensive than they said it would be and he learned nothing (but he got the credits ;) )</p>
<p>Cressmom
Does D speak another language? I can only speak for the Spanish Department's summer program. Students have to apply for the summer program (only 20 kids will go to Spain) The kids live with families in Madrid. I believe the classes (cultural studies & advanced conversation) can be difficult especially if your Spanish speaking & writing abilities are limited. S "loved" summer in Madrid. He was not challenged though because he was one of two seniors in the program. Plus he is majoring in Spanish. But, some of the other students were challenged by the classes.<br>
I have heard that Australia abroad is more about partying than learning. Heard this info from son's old roommate.</p>
<p>I have two kids at Wash U, a “science guy” and a “business lady”; they both speak Spanish and know a little Portuguese and Italian, but now my S is learning Japanese and my D French, so it would be interesting if they can have the chance to live for a while to grab the everyday language while studying their own careers. We visited France and Japan, but it not the same, it would be better if they could go alone.
Did your S like Madrid in summer? I like the city but summers are very intense, I can’t get used to the heat. I love Spain, I wouldn’t mind if my kids want to go there for a semester.</p>
<p>For a number of foreign language study abroad programs, even during the summer, some degree of competency (usually about at the 300 level of coursework, I think) is required to be eligible, and in the English department, all programs have a minimum GPA requirement. And yes, some of these programs are VERY rigorous: the English and History departments, for example, send top students to Oxford every year.</p>
<p>In terms of expenses, I don't think spending a school year or a semester abroad is any more expensive than the same amount of time at WashU (except for, of course, plane tickets). Plus, financial aid will most likely travel wherever you do.</p>
<p>Not exactly Melianeeek! It should cost about the same, but it is more expensive, I remember my mom complaining about that, and beware of the financial aid; my brother lost it going abroad (but he kept the scholarship).</p>
<p>Cressmom,</p>
<p>S "loved" Madrid! He also enjoyed Granada. His Cultural Studies class traveled to other parts of Spain in order to further the students appreciation of Spain's rich history (also art, religions, and architecture). On most weekends (free time) the students traveled to other parts of Spain. He lived with a wonderful family (senora was a great cook too). S never complained about the weather. But, he left St Louis mid May and returned at the end of June. Maybe he missed the hot weather. He is now obsessed with listening to Spanish music and watching Spanish movies. I think the time spent in Spain was well worth it. He wants to go back after he graduates.</p>
<p>My son went to Oxford last year for study abroad and did not loose his scholarship and financial aid money. Tuition was the same but the cost of room and board was very expensive. The summer before he went to France for the French Summer Intensive and loved it. Students studied for three or four days of the week and then were off to wherever they pleased for the next three days for a period of six weeks. Either experience is highly recommended, especially Oxford - absolutely one of the highlights of his college years.</p>
<p>I think my daughter might try to a double major in business and Spanish. Could she get credit for advanced classes by going to Spain in the summer? How many credits do you get? I think the business school has a semester abroad program too does anyone know about that?</p>
<p>D might want to look into the business school's study abroad program because the Summer in Spain program only offers Cultural Studies & Adv Conversations classes (6 credits). The Spanish Dept does offer summer programs in Latin America, but not sure about the classes. S was unable to spend a semester in Spain (which probably offers advanced classes) because of his math major requirements.</p>
<p>Study abroad is an easy way to gain credits while vacationing (summer studies). Everybody knows that it’s impossible to learn a language in three weeks no matter how long one had taken the language at school, but at least students have the possibility to live in another culture for a very short period of time.
Spain is beautiful but now Argentina is fashion, most of top universities have programs there, and I heard is cheaper too. I wanna go there!</p>
<p>Hopefully you already know the language before studying abroad!</p>
<p>Missmolly, I think is great to stay at a local home, there is no better way of learning the local culture. I did some research and not all the programs have those home stays, most accommodate students in college dorms and apartments, and they have to deal with transportation and meals by themselves. Sometimes isnt easy to buy groceries when you dont know the products and labeling is in other language.
Granada its beautiful, so is Sevilla and Cordoba. He was lucky, no doubt.</p>
<p>Trapper: Argentina? I know right now is a tourist attraction because of the currency, but I didnt know it was also a students destination. Does Wash U have study programs there?</p>
<p>Amazon, if you find more information about business study abroad, could you please send it to me? D is in business too (not yet, she will be in three weeks)</p>
<p>Cressmom,
<a href="https://www.olin.wustl.edu/bsba/srv/abroad.cfm%5B/url%5D">https://www.olin.wustl.edu/bsba/srv/abroad.cfm</a>
This the website for study abroad via Olin School of Business
Also, if you go to the Wash U website and search: Spanish Department
you will find the study abroad programs if you hit International ---- that is on the left sidebar. S went to Sevilla and Cordoba too...I know what you mean about meals..the summer excursion was expensive, but the costs included meals. Do you have 2 children starting Wash U is a few weeks?</p>
<p>Cressmom,</p>
<p>Wash U does not offer any programs in Argentina..
Here's another site to explore:
<a href="http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/%7Eoverseas/%5B/url%5D">http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~overseas/</a> .</p>
<p>One is sophomore and the "baby girl" freshman, and we will have an empty nest around here :(
U Penn started this year with summer programs in Argentina (although is winter there) and I was wondering if Wash U would do the same since Trapper mentioned that country.</p>