<p>just wondering how many transfer students have studied abroad? i would really like to study in japan for a quarter, only thing is i wouldn't want to feel really rushed, so i'm not sure when i would want to go. has anyone tried studying abroad the spring before transferring? i was thinking this could be an option because there is only 1 class i need to finish to complete my igetc (my second language class), and i think i could take it during the summer. oh also, has anyone studied in another country without knowing the language at all? and how was that?i dont know japanese at all, but was thinking i could get a program or maybe some books and self teach myself some stuff before hand. thanks for your time, i'm sure ill get some interesting responses!</p>
<p>I haven’t studied abroad yet, but I plan on spending all of next year (which would have been my senior year) in China. This will cause me to stay 5 years, but I’m more than okay with that.</p>
<p>Most people do study abroad in countries where they don’t know the language, but this changes the focus and benefit of studying abroad. If you want to use your time in another country to develop the know-how that you need in order to function well in that country post-graduation, then you need to be able to get by with the language. The reason being that if you don’t know the language at all then you’re going to end up staying in a dorm at the foreign university grouped up with a bunch of other ex-pats that don’t speak the language either. Most people I know who study abroad go this route, and while it’s a TON of fun, you don’t get nearly the same level of immersion.</p>
<p>My advice is to get to a functional level before studying abroad, and then stay in an off-campus apartment or with a local family. Some study abroad programs allow this and some don’t, so if it’s important to you then you want to make sure that you pick the right program.</p>
<p>Of course, if you aren’t planning on doing something post-graduation that involves Japan, and you just want to have a good time, then staying in the dorms with a bunch of other Americans & Europeans will be a blast and a great memory!</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>