Oh the Places You Can Go: Deciding Where to Study Abroad
By Danielle Collins ‘20
In my opinion, study abroad opportunities are one of the best parts of going to USC. I’m currently studying abroad in Madrid, Spain and absolutely LOVING it! If you’re considering study abroad, it can be daunting to decide where to go. There are so many amazing places to choose from…how can you be sure you pick the right place for you? Read on to find out!
First, find out your options:
- Every school and major has different study abroad opportunities. To find out what they are, talk to your advisor! You can also visit these websites: Dornsife, Viterbi, Marshall, Annenberg, or click here for the links to each schools’ programs! Keep in mind, a lot of Dornsife study abroad programs are open to non-Dornsife students.
Next, decide how long you want to go for:
- USC has lots of study abroad options, from entire semesters to a week over Spring Break. Again, talk to your advisor to find out what works best with your course schedule. My advice? Try to study abroad at least once, whether it’s a whole semester, a summer, or a couple of weeks. You won’t regret it!
- Click the following links to learn about Maymesters (some 2019 programs announced), Problems without Passports (2019 courses not announced yet), Alternative Breaks, and all other study abroad opportunities
I’m in Madrid this whole semester, and I also did a Maymester this past spring to Granada, Spain and Marrakech, Morocco that lasted 4 weeks. For me, it was helpful to go on a shorter trip first to get comfortable being abroad before going for a whole semester.
Lastly, narrow it down using these guidelines:
- Language: Obviously, the language of your study abroad country is extremely important. I’m studying abroad in Spain because I have a double major in Spanish, so I wanted to improve my Spanish language skills while abroad. If you speak another language, consider studying abroad in a country that speaks that language so you can practice! If you don’t, you might feel more comfortable studying abroad in an English speaking country. Or, take this as an opportunity to learn a new language! Just don’t bite off more than you can chew: studying abroad comes with a lot of stresses, so make sure you’re ready to handle a language barrier.
- Classes offered: This is another great time to talk to your academic and study abroad advisors. What kinds of classes will you be taking? Classes for your major, GEs, electives? You want to make sure you will be receiving credit for ALL of the classes you take while you’re abroad. Other questions to ask: What language are classes taught in? Do you take classes with other American students, or with local students as well? Is class held at a local university, or a USC facility? Are classes for a letter grade, or pass/fail?
- Living situation: I’m living in a homestay, and that was a HUGE priority for me! I really wanted to practice my language skills and experience the true Spanish lifestyle. But homestays aren’t for everyone. Lots of programs also offer dorms or apartment style housing options. Make sure you know where you’ll be calling home!
- Travel opportunities: This was another important consideration for me. I have a longggg bucket list of places to go, and many of them are in Europe, so I decided Europe would be the best place for me to spend my semester. This also comes into play when choosing a city. For example, Madrid has great access to trains, buses, and airports that allow cheap and easy travel to other cities and countries. If traveling is important to you, be sure to look into travel options from your city!
- Note: Don’t travel too much while abroad! You are there to experience life in the city you chose, so you should spend a good amount of time there. That said, weekend trips can be great experiences as well :)
- Price: This one probably goes without saying, but different abroad programs have vastly different prices. Prices vary based on country, city, housing, and more. Studying abroad can end up being cheaper than a USC semester or more experience depending on your choice. Also, make sure you look at how your financial aid/scholarships will transfer.
- Cultural experiences: Last, but most certainly not least, is thinking about the cultural experiences you want to have. The point of studying abroad is to experience life in a new place, so push yourself! Go somewhere where your life will be different from life at USC! Do you want to be surrounded by nature? Somewhere with incredible art and architecture? A big city? A different predominant religion? A different language? Think about all of the new experiences you can have in each place!
Choosing where to study abroad is a big decision. But I promise you this: wherever you will learn more about the world, make friends, and have a GREAT time. My biggest advice about studying abroad is to GO!
PS: If you’re considering studying abroad in Spain, feel free to reach out to me with questions!
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