Feb 03 2008
The Most Common Misconceptions About Studying Abroad
With more than 100000 college students who study abroad each year, it is linked to all sorts of great stories, urban legends, and misinformation swirling around. While there may be grains of truth in some of these stories, here are a few misconceptions about studying abroad.
#1 Studying abroad is very expensive.
Fact: In most cases, it is actually less expensive to study abroad. Let’s say that the fees for your school is $ 5000 per semester, and room and board is another $ 4000. Now add additional fees to you such as health insurance, books, and laundry. You are now well over $ 10,000 for the semester. Well, all except one of our programs in Spain is under $ 10000 per semester, which includes everything except the plane ticket and your pocket money.
#2 I could not graduate on time if I go abroad.
Truth: If you have already used up all of your choice or courses of general education, while it is true that you might want to bulk up on the courses before or after your departure abroad. If you plan ahead, however, and leave some electives open to you, then you should be fine. The vast majority of students studying abroad still graduate in four years, even though it is far from their home campus for a semester or two.
#3 I can not use my financial aid to study abroad.
Truth: In almost all cases, your federal assistance (Stafford loans, Pell grants, etc.) can be used to study abroad, and in some states, you can use your state aid as well. It is not uncommon that your federal government to increase aid when studying abroad over the past few scholarships at your school may not transfer.
#4 I will be so busy with their studies that I will not be time to see the country that I am in.
Fact: This is hysterically funny from your average study abroad student comes home with about 400 photos from a long list of countries. Students have plenty of opportunities to travel and we take our students on trips to give them a better idea of the country they are in.
#5 The host families are all poor and just do it for the money.
Truth: The last thing any company wants to study abroad to do is have an unhappy student on their programme. The goal is that students are happy so they tell their friends what great time they had. If we were putting students in poor families, in neighborhoods dangerous, nobody could ever recommend to their friends. Since the number of universities that endorse our program doubled in the past year, it is a fairly safe bet that the students are satisfied with our choice of the family.
#6 Most of the world hates Americans, so I will not be safe.
Fact: There is no doubt that there are many people who dislike the American government, but this has nothing to do with the American people. If we compare the rate of violent crime in the United States to Europe, Australia and Asian countries, you will see that the United States is far more dangerous. There are some areas of South America and Africa in particular, that are not safe, but there are also many countries on those continents that are incredibly safe. Go to the site of the United States Department of State and checking crime statistics on the country you are interested to see how it is safe.
Studying Abroad is only once in a lifetime opportunity that every student should take advantage of. Before, he dismissed because of the bad experience of a friend or you had heard rumors, talk to your adviser for study abroad and get the facts. I assure you that when you look at all that studying abroad can offer, you will be hopping the first flight abroad.
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