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!
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