By: Jen Kapcio
Whether it is taking summer classes or having to catch up on homework during break, finding time to travel as a college student is difficult. What if there was a way to kill two birds with one stone? Studying abroad is a great way to continue your education while experiencing the world.
There are many study-abroad opportunities, so it is important to establish your intentions and what you would like to accomplish before you begin looking for a program.
Where to Start
There is a range of program lengths; students can participate in programs from two weeks to an entire semester. You also must decide what you would like to do on the trip. Are you interested in taking a class or classes, doing an internship, shadowing, volunteering, or something else? Another thing to consider: Would you be interested in doing a homestay, faculty-led program, independent living, etc? Once you have answered these questions, it will be much easier to find a program.
University Programs
Exploring programs directly through Ohio State’s global education portal is one of the simplest ways to find a program. One of the benefits of traveling through the university is that many of the itineraries are pre-planned, so the students do not have to coordinate their whole trip. The university also provides programs within the colleges, which allow students to take trips that are tailored to their degree.
Third-Party Providers
Choosing to use a third-party provider can be helpful for students who can’t find a program they like through their university. However, it is important to do your research to make sure you are using a trusted company. Some credible companies are:
Some of these companies work with the university, but not all of its programs are available through the global education portal.
Arcadia
Arcadia has been the leading center, for many years, in education abroad. Arcadia has around 100 different programs where students can take classes, research, and intern, all around the world.
AUIP
AUIP specializes in faculty-led programs, which are locally based to allow students to get the most authentic experience possible. Not only does AUIP provide a wide range of programs, but there are also opportunities to customize a program tailored to individual faculty. The organization preplans its programs, so there is no need for itinerary planning.
AIFS
With AIFS, students have the opportunity to study for a semester, summer, academic year, or even a January term. During the semester abroad, students can earn up to 16 credit hours, or earn up to 12 credit hours while participating in an internship program. During the summer term, students can earn up to 10 credit hours.
Atlantis
Atlantis is geared toward students who plan on entering the healthcare field. Atlantis programs range from 1-10 weeks and are not limited to college students. Atlantis also has programs for high school students looking to just start their careers in the healthcare field.
Volunteering
Education abroad does not always involve taking classes or doing an internship, there are other ways to learn and gain experience. Give Volunteers is a great way to experience other cultures and learn life skills while making a difference in the world. Mission trips are also a great way to gain experience and see the world.
Travel is essential to develop us as well-rounded individuals and foster personal growth. It opens the doors to new relationships, experiences, knowledge, global and cultural understanding, and much more. As college students, there are many opportunities to travel that may not be there post-graduation. Take advantage of the various study abroad options while they are still available, and if money is a barrier, many of the programs provide scholarships. The opportunities are waiting for you, take the leap and experience the world!