<p>I'm planning on studying abroad during my junior year, but I've heard that studying abroad can have a detrimental effect on GPA? Is this true? I want to have this experience (which I've heard is memorable), yet I don't want my grades to suffer because I'm spending less time studying and more time exploring different cultures. Does anyone have any experience with study abroad?</p>
<p>It depends on where you go.And I don’t believe that rumor is necessarily true. Basically, the system is different abroad in some cases. For example, England has a bigger emphasis on finals (from what I have heard). As a result, if you don;t do well in teststs and dont remember cumulative material, you wont do well.</p>
<p>More important is whether your courses abroad count for anything. You need to get your courses approved to transfer. Especially as an engineer, you need to make sure your department UG chair is ok with you taking certain classes away. Otherwise you get a great experience, but you have to stay longer to complete some core courses.</p>
<p>I have a bunch of friends who studied abroad and did very well. It depends on who you are, where you go, how compatible you are with the place etc. Make sure you do your research and prepare before going somewhere and you will have a great time.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>I’m not quite sure what you mean by detrimental to your GPA. I am currently abroad this semester and none of the grades will transfer back or count for my GPA. Only the courses you physically take at Rice will count towards your GPA unless you’re in some kind of a special study abroad program.</p>