Studying abroad is a life-changing opportunity of adventure, culture and experiences. When researching study abroad, there are many factors to take in such as the destination, time length and academic programs. One of the biggest factors to consider is taking a semester abroad or a Maymester, which can range from two to seven weeks. While there are differences to both, there are also benefits from both opportunities.
The Semester Abroad
A semester abroad offers you a range of destinations to live in for an entire semester. The academic programs offer Gen Eds, electives or major-related programs, which allow you to take at least 12 credits. A semester is an opportunity to immerse yourself into a specific culture and language. It also offers more time to get acclimated to the city.
For senior Kari Brue, her favorite part of a semester abroad is becoming more independent, as it gives you more time to create relationships with locals.
“Having access to easy transportation like the metro was a game changer for being abroad,” says Brue, who studied in Barcelona, Spain. “It allows you to see so much of the city and you feel like a local.”
A popular preference for study abroad is the access to travel to new cities that are close. Brue’s favorite trip was Morocco in North Africa, specifically camping in the Sahara Desert.
“It was an entirely new culture that I would not have been able to experience if I didn’t study abroad,” says Brue.
A big consideration to take in when choosing a destination is finding a destination where you enjoy the food because the country’s food is what you will be eating every day. Her semester abroad inspired her to move to Europe after graduation.
The Maymester
A Maymester takes place after the school year is over and is typically one to two courses, which is a benefit for those who don’t want to worry about falling behind in school if the program doesn’t offer certain credits or classes that you need to graduate.
For junior, Nikki Shin, a Maymester is perfect for those who want a taste of a new cultural experience. It is also a great opportunity if you want to take more immersive programs during your college experience.
Shin enjoys that different majors offer certain Maymester programs, as she participated in a Greece Maymester. “Although any study abroad creates close bonds, I see most of them every day and take the same classes,” says Shin. It’s a perfect opportunity to make memories while being able to take credits abroad instead of on campus.
Shin notes that not having F.O.M.O (Fear of Missing Out) of missing campus, friends and family can help feeling at ease during study abroad. Another bonus is being able to keep your apartment lease for the year without having to worry about subleasing.
It is important to remember that when researching study abroad programs, to find a program that is right for you! It is okay to do a different destination that is off the beaten path or not what your friends are doing. Best of all, going out of your comfort zone is exciting! It is an experience of growth and trying something new. Whether it is a semester abroad or a Maymester, you never know what could happen.
Did you study abroad? Let us know @VALLEYMag on Instagram!
Related
VALLEY Abroad: Locals Only
VALLEY Abroad: Penn State Hollywood
Underrated Post-Grad Cities You Should Move To
I do not even know how I stopped up right here, however I thought this publish was good. I don’t realize who you’re however definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger for those who are not already 😉 Cheers!
It’s really a cool and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is great, as well as the content!
A few things i have always told individuals is that when looking for a good on-line electronics store, there are a few components that you have to remember to consider. First and foremost, you need to make sure to discover a reputable and reliable retail store that has enjoyed great reviews and ratings from other buyers and business world people. This will ensure you are handling a well-known store that can offer good program and support to it’s patrons. Many thanks for sharing your notions on this blog site.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was once a entertainment account it. Look complicated to far added agreeable from you! However, how could we be in contact?
I have discovered some new items from your web site about computers. Another thing I’ve always thought is that computer systems have become a specific thing that each home must have for most reasons. They supply you with convenient ways to organize the home, pay bills, shop, study, hear music and in some cases watch tv series. An innovative strategy to complete many of these tasks is a laptop. These computers are mobile, small, strong and convenient.
Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Thanks for your write-up. One other thing is that often individual states have their particular laws which affect homeowners, which makes it very hard for the our lawmakers to come up with a whole new set of recommendations concerning property foreclosure on property owners. The problem is that each state has got own laws and regulations which may have impact in an unfavorable manner in terms of foreclosure procedures.
Thanks for your article. Another factor is that being photographer will involve not only problems in recording award-winning photographs but also hardships in establishing the best photographic camera suited to your requirements and most especially struggles in maintaining the quality of your camera. This really is very genuine and apparent for those photography fans that are in to capturing a nature’s captivating scenes : the mountains, the actual forests, the actual wild or maybe the seas. Visiting these daring places absolutely requires a video camera that can live up to the wild’s severe areas.
Thank you for the good writeup. It actually was once a leisure account it. Glance complex to more brought agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep in touch?