Monday, May 23, 2011

How To Choose The Best Study Abroad Program

By Anne Harvester


Undertaking studies abroad is a special prospect and the opportunities it presents should be taken full advantage of. Colleges will customarily undertake to organize this for their students. If not, there are organizations whose business is organizing the same for you. They also offer guidance to ensure that you choose the best study abroad program. Other alternatives to get into a session are to take part as an intern, volunteer or take up a teaching job.

Some crucial factors need to be given careful thought to ensure the program abroad is positive. The main ones that should guide your choices are the goals you have, the specific interests you have and the kind of person you are in terms of personality. For instance, it may be that your main area of interest is a particular language. If so, going to a country where this is the main language would be the rational choice. That would mean you head to Italy if Italian is your focus, France for French and to Spain to learn Spanish firsthand.

As concerns specific locations, your personality matters. Perhaps you prefer the vibrant city life in which case Paris, Milan and Madrid would be ideal. If you prefer the idyllic countryside on the other hand though, a rural town would be the best place for you where you can venture into the hustle of the city occasionally.

Out there, you can be sure the unexpected will happen. Having an open mind is a helpful asset. For instance, you may find that you are in the minority in terms of your religion, color, race, language and other aspects. Find out how the minority are treated in such locations. You may want to experience life in a specific location but going to a place where you would encounter hostility and possible danger is not worth it. You can get information on minority students from the programs organizers.

Some educational organizations have information about minority students from other countries and you should have a good understanding of it before deciding. Find out also how well you will be able to get around in remote or rural locations.

Disability is definitely not inability and there is no reason why a disabled student should not go abroad on a study abroad program. The key is foreplanning and making sure the chosen location will be a comfortable and enabling environment for them in terms of accommodation with facilities they can access and a means to get to where they will be studying and/or working. Again, this information is available.

Get sexual orientation information packs from these organizations as well. As you make your choices and do your planning, do all you can to make sure you are on the best study abroad program possible.




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