Studying Abroad

[neverlosethefeeling]

I'm seriously considering going abroad for at least a semester. I was just wondering if any of you ever studied abroad and what your experiences were like. If you did a homestay or lived on campus or in the city, if you found it difficult to adjust, what you liked about it and what you didn't.

[mmmbeans]

did it for 6 months in australia. lived on campus then hiked and camped. every single thing about it was awesome. You'll never regret traveling. Do it.

where are you thinking of going?

[Delhommey]

I have. Can’t recommend it enough.

I ended up in Holland (hellooooo legalized marijuana). Can’t recommend it enough.

[Sultan33g]

friend of mine was in spain. never stops talking about it

[Delhommey]

Studying abroad is like getting in a threesome. It may not fully live up to your expectations, but it's still fuging awesome and something you'll always regret if you pass it up.

[cookinwithgas]

Just beware that in Europe a threesome may involve only one girl

[Jase]

if that

[Guest]

my son (in a serious voice) "dad, we have the opportunity to host a foreign exchange student from the Netherlands. It could be an exciting educational opportunity"

Me: "what if its not a hot blonde girl?"

Him: quiet.

[Go To Girl]

John's got a friend who went to New Zealand this semester. He loves it so much that he's hoping to find a job and stay there.

John's scholarship will pay for it and he still has no desire to do it. I wish he would.

[Panthers_Lover]

My daughter only got to study abroad (Greece and Italy) for our month-long Interim one year because of other demands in her major, but she LOVED it. Study abroad is a great experience that all students should take advantage of if they have the chance.

[mr beauxjangles]

I went to London and spent a semester at LSE years ago. Lived in a student dorm, single room, just behind the Tate Modern on the South Bank. It was a great experience. I had friends in Europe, so I travelled on the weekends (Eurostar is frickin amazing). Like Delhommey, I ended up in Amsterdam and Rotterdam a few times, and definitely had my fun there. I think it's a greatpersonal experience, and if you are going to a country that speaks a foreign language that you are studying or know, you will come back far more fluent than if you toook another twenty classes in the subject. My brother went to France, girlfriend went to Italy, and many friends to Spain. My brother was the only one that had a rough time, but that was short-lived. He went to Rennes, and the first month he was there is was cold and raining every day. He just got depressed. I don't know anyone that has lived with a family so I can't speak to that.

Overall, I'd say it was a great personal experience, one that I'll always remember. Broaden the horizons, see new places...they are cliches, but they're also true.

[neverlosethefeeling]

I'm thinking about going somewhere in Europe. I haven't decided if I want to go for a full year or just for one semester. How much more did it cost than your normal tuition? Unfortunately I'm really getting excited about studying abroad that I haven't been to an information session with our Ed Abroad department, and you have to go to one to apply for any university scholarships (for which I know I would be eligible just based on merit) and the deadline for the turning in the scholarship applications is Monday.

I'm really encouraged by all your experiences, it's just reinforcing everything I've heard about studying abroad.

I am thinking about going somewhere in Europe. Pretty much every country in western Europe is a consideration right now.

[CosmoGirl]

I wish I would have done this when I had the chance. My parents weren't into it though.

[bubbadawg]

youngest daughter went to sweden and froze her ass off for 3 months. Still can't figure out why she did it in the middle of january. My oldest spent a semester at Cambridge and absolutely loved it. She saw a great deal of England and went to paris and rome while studying there.