<p>Hi, I'm a rising freshman(Class of 2016) at UMich. How good are the study abroad programs there? I haven't heard many positive comments from anyone I know who goes there. In fact, I've only heard of one person who has done study abroad at UMich(wasn't sponsored by the university), even though our school enrolls 10+ kids every year. </p>
<p>Would be grateful to do a SA almost anywhere, in an area at least semi-developed(Europe, Australia/NZ, Asia, South Africa). Since I come from a low-middle and working class family, I literally haven't been to anywhere more than 200 miles away(approximately 1 state away!) from my hometown in the last 12 years. I'd even be okay with working 8 hours a day in a foreign country to accommodate costs while I use the other 16 hours to explore the nation and sleep. Btw what language proficiency levels are required to do a SA? Am I required to take a traditional language course before visiting <strong><em>blank</em></strong> country? Or can I learn through independent study via Rosetta/Pimpsleur and prove proficiency by taking a placement exam? If possible, I'd like to do the SA in the summer after my freshman year since the chances for internships are slimmer. </p>
<p>If it matters, will possibly major in computer science and/or economics. In-state student.</p>