[ladyatakari]

I know there's a study abroad thread in "colleges," but I feel like most of the posts contain questions more than experience. Thus, I am wondering if anyone here has studied abroad, and what impact that experience had. Was it life changing, fulfilling? Challenging? Changed you more than you would ever believed? Why?

If you haven't/didn't study abroad, is there a reason you wish you could/did? Why?

[little mixed girl]

i studied abroad, but i don't think it was challenging...
it was interesting.

i think that most study abroad programs are very protected in that if you're in a non-english speaking country, you'll probably be surrounded by other foreign students and take classes with them.
you'll live in a special area for foreign students and so it's not like you're just thrown in there.

[aznfury]

i studied abroad, but i don't think it was challenging...
it was interesting.

i remember you 'little mixed girl', you started the thread over in the college section .. i asked a lot of questions how to apply and what to bring

I remember back in 2006 I was so nervous about studying abroad in Korea but now that I look back at it, it was the most fun I've ever had in my life so far. The people you'll meet from various countries will allow you to have friends from around the world. In fact, I hope to visit some of them in the Netherlands, Indonesia, Thailand, etc. Also, I've toured most of the country so I got to see many places most locals haven't seen which still astonishes me. Finally, just experiencing the 'culture shock' of living in another country and trying the new things like going to a noraebang singing like there's no tomorrow or getting buck naked with strangers in a jjinjilbang spa or even getting drunk off soju is worth the trip alone. Of course, you'll also be getting educated at the same time

If I had another chance to go and study abroad again, I'd apply immediately. The only downfall is the costs related but don't let that stop you if you haven't experienced it.

If you are interested in my experiences in Korea and my time abroad, I have a link in my signature with a essay all about my time there I hope that answers your question ladyatakari.

[HERMIT]

I've studied a broad many times. Usually on college campuses and shopping malls.
Quite fun, actually.

But seriously speaking - and I don't know if this counts - the closest I've been to studying abroad was when I brought my college algebra textbook and notes across the San Diego-Tijuana border to study for a midterm while laying around on the beaches of Rosarito. To be honest, I don't recall too much about the experience. All I remember is that I drank too much, passed out under the hot sun, and woke up to find an unsightly tan outline of my math book across my chest.

[derrek]

haha damn Hermit, you beat me to it

[gummybummy]

I took a semester in Sydney, Australia, it was amazing. The experience left me so many memories that will last me a lifetime. Not only did I get to live right in the city, but I made so many friends from all over and traveled the country as well. I had never lived on my own before so living with a bunch of other Uni.students was so much fun, we did all kinds of crazy things together and a lot of partying . I remember the days before I left, it was very nervewrecking because I was traveling alone to this big city and did not know anyone. It was truly an experience that made me more independent and mature. I wish I was still there

[Echoes]

Never studied abroad but i would like to study abroad in Japan, that place is so nice
gummybummy study hard and work hard, travel to Australia again

[Prot]

I studied abroad in HK for a term and it was the best experience. It is completely different when you are living there as opposed to vacationing there and also different in that you are studying there too. I know that some schools have their own little campus things in the foreign country and I think that takes away from the experience. When I studied abroad, the classes were majorly composed of the local students and the dorm I lived in was mostly local students as well. Anyway, it was challenging in that the locals studied so much and I really slacked off a lot since I wanted to enjoy my time there and explore but it didn't matter since all I received were credits, the letter grades weren't averaged into my GPA so I only needed to pass. Just don't take a ridiculous course load, you're there to visit a different culture, not attempt to graduate early.

Anyway, the main thing I liked was that it was a change of pace and you could see how universities did things outside of your country. I have to say, I really enjoyed doing lab abroad, it was a lot more interactive than the boring ones here at my uni where you just follow procedure and then get some ridiculous % error.

[loveartiste]

i would love to study abroad in florence.
my friend is currently in greece.
her stories are soo enticing!
& im so envious!

actually a lot of upper division campuses
like UCs are starting to require study abroad
as a requirement.

[untungl]

I went to Korea for fall 08 and it was pretty much amazing. pretty much everything i'd say, Prot and gummybunny have already said

But it's really a great chance for you to do stuff you wouldn't normally do, try all kinds of things, etc. Not everyone can be that brave when they're in a comfortable environment. And you get to meet all kinds of awesome people.

There is a small risk, however, that you will end up hating America and upon returning, will want to leave again.

[blushyy]

I took a semester in Sydney, Australia, it was amazing. The experience left me so many memories that will last me a lifetime. Not only did I get to live right in the city, but I made so many friends from all over and traveled the country as well. I had never lived on my own before so living with a bunch of other Uni.students was so much fun, we did all kinds of crazy things together and a lot of partying . I remember the days before I left, it was very nervewrecking because I was traveling alone to this big city and did not know anyone. It was truly an experience that made me more independent and mature. I wish I was still there

Hello, just curious... which university did you attend? Also, it's great to here you really enjoyed Sydney!


Anyhoodles, I just came back from studying in Osaka, Japan for a year. It was a great experience, although my Japanese was not so good. I admit it has improved, but still not so fluent. I've never lived alone before, and so it was quite relaxing but also challenging. I lived alone, and it helped me become more independent. I even found my first love there *blushes*, but the relationship only lasted for about 7 months ... and now I'm back in Australia, so we broke up. Sigh. All in all, studying abroad has changed me - I've been able to understand more about different cultures and customs, and I even see my own country in a different perspective now.

[missxmoody]

Like Prot, I studied abroad in Hong Kong .. for two semesters though. Unlike most people I went abroad my sophomore year, which was unique. I'm already a year younger then people in my grade, so everyone around me was at least two years older then me. But, luckily Hong Kong's drinking age was 18

My study abroad experience was simply amazing. It was a perfect mix of Europeans, Americans, locals, and mainland students. I grew up a lot and definitely found confidence in myself that I never knew existed. Good or bad my friends and family all said I changed after I came home. I was in a new culture, new friends, total independence, and enriching myself for ten months. I was able to visit Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shantou, Guangzhou, Yunnan), Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Not a lot of studying gets done, although I did take some interesting government and history classes, along with intermediate elementary Mandarin. I only found motivation to go to my Mandarin classes twice a week, otherwise my other classes only met once a week and were half locals and half exchange students. I only had classes M-W and Thursday through Sunday were either left to travel, explore, or drink away.

Amazing experience. Its been three years since I left HK and I've been able to visit HK one more time. I miss it. I really wanted to study abroad again, but I spent way too much money that year and my mommy refused. Maybe I'll study abroad again as a grad student, but it's hard since my program is only two years.

[dottywine]

I studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico.

As everyone will tell you, it is an AMAZING experience. Your college life is not complete until you study abroad SOMEWHERE. ANYWHERE.

Its not just that you're in a different culture. Its also the group that you go with and learning about yourself as you figure out how you react to things that you never had to react to or deal with before.

If you want to learn the language, I highly recommend it. Before going, study a bit of it in your spare time and study it while you are there. Speak the language as much as possible and listen to people carefully.

[x3sarah]

I studied abroad in Brighton England (Summer 2006). It was the best summer of my life. Spending 2 and 1/2 months in Europe was just amazing. I went to Ireland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Greece. I was planning on going to Germany and Spain, but some things happened. >:( oh well, there's always next time

[Temoin la Nuit]

I studied at Bath (UK)..

It was good.. really chill, since I was on pass/fail. Hung out a lot, went on backpacking trips to Italy and Morocco.

Learned a lot from having a different "perspective" or window of viewing the world.

[duchess]

I haven't studied abroad but I'd really love to study abroad in England or Spain one day. A few of my friends studied abroad together in HK for a semester and they're always talking about how much they miss and love HK. I wish I could describe the experience but I've never been out of the country and I would love to one day. While my friends were studying abroad, they traveled all over Asia and I intend to do that one day.

[jphase]

For those who have studied abroad, did it cost more to study aboroad for a semester than studying at your college for a semester? not including money used for travel like tours and stuff just for classes and housing abroad.

I have several friends who went abroad and the pictures they post look so fun. They've been around Europe starting in Italy.

[megaSTEPxo]

Like some of the members who already posted, I studied abroad in Korea too.

I don’t even know where to begin… but yes, it was definitely a life changing experience. As of now, it really has been the best experience I ever had in my life. I applied for study abroad mainly because I was tired of the same routine here.. especially since I live at home too.

So when I went to study abroad, I was truly able to experience much more than I would have been able to experience back here. I was able to experience dorm life (having a roommate, being always surrounded by people your age 24/7, no family members, no curfew.. basically all the freedom I had). I also got to experience campus life (being able to join clubs and attend events etc), and opportunities to travel. Through all these experiences, I was able to truly adapt, learn and understand the country’s culture.. and this process also allows you to learn a lot about yourself and others. The experience is just... priceless.

There is a small risk, however, that you will end up hating America and upon returning, will want to leave again.

I totally agree! When I came back, I was actually experiencing a re-entry culture shock. While I was abroad, once in awhile, I did the little things about home such as western food or my car.. but after a few days or so back home, I felt like I was ready to go back.. or go to another destination for another exchange!

For those who have studied abroad, did it cost more to study aboroad for a semester than studying at your college for a semester? not including money used for travel like tours and stuff just for classes and housing abroad.

Nope, it did not cost more since I paid my home university the same amount of tuition that I normally pay. However, it was the airfare, housing etc that made it more costly than studying at home. But I think it's really worth it.

[akira53]

Nope, it did not cost more since I paid my home university the same amount of tuition that I normally pay. However, it was the airfare, housing etc that made it more costly than studying at home. But I think it's really worth it.

same here. I think for most programs you usually pay your home university's tuition, but the airfare and daily expenses added up really quickly. Thankfully I get a monthly income from my scholarship so it's not so bad. Studying abroad can be expensive but it's definitly worth the money. I couldn't have done it without my scholarship though.
I'm currently studying abroad at Hiroshima University and it's been a really great experience so far. I've learned so much more about myself and living alone has been a good experience as well.

[lemoncake0910]

I would love to have the opportunity to study abroad someday...
either in S. Korea, Japan, the UK, Singapore, or even Australia...
but the thing that worries me is... it costs $$$$ (I'm talking about the living expenses, airfare and such).
As of now, the outlook isn't too good if I want some funding from my parents if I decide to study abroad. =(
If I won't ever get a chance to study abroad in the future, then I might consider working abroad. =)