Studying abroad help?

Applying to College
1

I want to study abroad my junior year, but I’m having some problems deciding on which program to choose. I want to study in Australia or England. My school has an exchange program for Australia. The cons are that I might be the only person to go from my school since it’s an exchange. None of my friends want to study abroad with me so I would be by myself. I’m not good at making friends either. The program that my school offers for England is not exchange, but study abroad. I would have a group of people from my college going with me. This would be good since I wouldn’t be alone. However this program doesn’t allow me to take any classes that go towards my major. The only classes available to take are English, art, or communications classes. My major is health sciences and I don’t need any more electives.

I don’t know which one to choose. My university does say on its study abroad page that there are external programs that we can look at. I don’t know how external study abroad programs work though. I’m looking for a study abroad program where I’ll be able to make friends easily so I won’t be all alone for the whole semester (icebreakers or staying in a group). I also want a study abroad program that allows me to take health science classes and is located either in Australia or England. Any advice would be great since I just started considering studying abroad. Thanks!

2

Isn’t the point of the experience to meet new people and experience a new culture? Don’t go on a program that doesn’t fit at all with your major. Also, outside programs canbe more work and organization on your part (know this fro experience). My advice is to try to fit in with what your college offers.

3

This is very specific… what exactly is health sciences? What kind of courses are we talking about? If your major is so specific and your school doesn’t offer a study abroad program to accommodate your major, it may not be possible. Will you be able to take classes in your major/get credit with the Australian exchange? And clarify for me what distinction you’re making: by exchange do you mean a home stay program? Would you be attending a university? What’s the difference?

4

I’d go with Australia. Be social with all the other exchange and international students, take classes for your major, discover a new culture and country - it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
(Also, research shows that students who went abroad during college tend to continue exploring the world and travelling abroad after college too, whether for work or vacation, whereas students who say they’ll go after they graduate but don’t actually go during college are actually much less likely to ever go abroad.)