6 Reasons to Study Abroad this Summer
“How was your summer?” everyone will want to know when you return to school in the fall. Will your answer be something along the lines of: “Great! I worked, hung out with friends, went to the beach, caught up on sleep, the usual, etc…”?
…or perhaps…
“Life-changing! I spent a month in Buenos Aires living with a local family, learned to tango and took an intensive Spanish language class. I made new friends from around the world, went horseback riding on an Argentine ranch, spent a weekend in the vineyards of Mendoza, and then went to explore Patagonia.”
…or even…
“Best summer ever! Spent a month living with new friends from around the world and hanging out on the sunny beaches of Paros. I got to visit a few other stunning Greek islands too like Santorini and Mykonos. I took a black and white photography and did a painting workshop. I ate the best seafood and even learned some Greek.”
* There’s about a week left before our summer study abroad application deadline, which is on March 1. *
Will you make it one to remember?
Here are a few reasons why students might choose a summer program over a semester or a full year abroad:
NO ON CAMPUS COMMITMENTS. Students who are highly committed to their involvement in campus activities, like sports or clubs, often find the summer break is the perfect time to experience life abroad.
SHORTER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM LENGTH. It’s normal to have a sense of wanderlust but still feel a bit nervous about being away from home for an entire semester or a whole year. Summer programs only last about a month, so they are a great taster for anyone who might be curious but worried about homesickness. You may even return feeling inspired to sign up for a semester abroad later on.
DIFFERENT CLASSES. Summer programs abroad means you will have access to a different selection of academic classes than you would on your home campus. You might choose to earn some extra credits toward your major during the summer to catch up or get ahead, or you may decide it’s an excellent opportunity to explore some different interests.
TAKE LANGUAGE LEARNING TO THE NEXT LEVEL. Currently studying French, Spanish or Italian as part of your major? Or interested in learning? Studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself fully into an environment where you have endless opportunities to practice speaking in real life situations. While you can, of course, do this during longer programs as well, summer can be just the length of time you need to increase your confidence by giving yourself a quick, intense burst of exposure to the language you’ll return to learning on campus in the fall.
SUMMER COSTS LESS. If the cost of study abroad is holding you back, definitely look at funding and scholarship options (there are a lot of them out there), but also consider a summer program on which you will likely spend less but still have the same unforgettable experiences.
EVERYTHING IS IN FULL SWING. Especially true if you study abroad in Europe over the summer, this is the time when many of the cultural experiences and festivals are scheduled. Bestival and Glastonbury Festival in the UK, Festival du Bout du Monde in France and Italy’s Rock in Roma are just a few examples. Off-peak seasons, especially in places like Greece and Italy, can be a bit quieter with some shops, restaurants and hostels closed.
If you’re interested in having a summer that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, check out our program options and have a quick chat with an advisor so you can make the March 1 deadline. You might even be able to round up some friends to go along?