It’s a big decision and bigger adventure. Is it for you?

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            Where do you want to go to college? This question probably isn’t new for most American students. What comes to mind when you hear it? An Ivy League school? A state college? A military college? A party school? Or maybe just the cheapest college you can find?

            Have you considered attending college abroad? Not just for a semester or a year, but for the course of your entire degree? Not very many American students choose this route, and because it’s not common, you won’t find a lot of help, advice, information, or resources to guide you. The lack of help then makes people even less likely to study abroad. It’s a bit of a vicious cycle.

            There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages to studying abroad, and it’s a big choice to make. As great as it can be (I speak from experience), you shouldn’t take the process lightly.

            Honestly, I started looking to go abroad kind of as a joke. I’ve always wanted to travel the world, but that’s not always easy or affordable from the U.S.. My parents watched a lot of travel and house buying shows while I was in high school. One night, while we were watching it, they casually told me “You know, you could always go to school in one of these places.”

            Off to Google I went. Within a few days I’d found the top international universities for what I wanted to study, which ones offered classes in English (I’m unilingual), and which ones would be the smallest culture shock for me. In the end, I chose a university in Wales, and I’m so glad I did.

            As my departure date crept closer, I finally realized what a big decision that was. My anxiety became nearly debilitating over my first few weeks in Aber. I’d never been away from my family for more than a week, the curriculum was a major change from American education, and I had no friends there. All the excitement and energy I’d experienced during the application and preparation processes left me once reality set in.

            Had I prepared more thoroughly and more seriously considered what going abroad would entail, I would’ve been much better off. It was going to be a huge change no matter what—any college would’ve been—but I might’ve been able to avoid the worst of it.

            I learned the hard way, and I want to use that experience to make sure others are more prepared for going abroad. Once I made friends and learned my way around, I started doing so much better. It was a rocky start, and it’s had its ups and downs, but I love being abroad.

            Whether you’re seriously considering studying abroad, or you’ve never thought about it before, here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider.

*Disclaimer: I am writing based on my experience and personal research. The following information will be primarily for American students and may not be true for all countries or universities.

Advantages:

• In many countries, it takes less time to complete your degree. In the U.S., you’d expect to complete a Bachelor’s degree in 4 years and a Master’s in 2, but in many countries you can finish in 3 years and 1 year, respectively.
• Many international universities have a cheaper tuition than American universities, and some of the more expensive ones cost about the same as out-of-state tuition.
• Many of the countries you could go to have great education systems, so the quality will be better than or equal to that of American universities.
• You’ll experience new cultures and gain international competency, which is appealing to future employers.
• It’s easy and relatively cheap to travel once you’re already abroad.
• In many countries, you specialize immediately and won’t waste time or money on classes you don’t need (e.g., you don’t need to take physics if you’re studying art).
• Depending on the country, you could learn a new language and/or develop your language skills through immersion.
• Many top universities abroad offer at least some courses in English, so you don’t have to speak another language.
• You might graduate with a cool accent.

Disadvantages:

• The different application processes can be confusing, and most of the resources will be directed toward that country’s students.
• There is very little help available in the U.S. to guide you through the application process.
• Scholarships for international students (you) are usually very limited, especially if you’re going for a Bachelor’s.
• Because you specialize right away, you have to know what you want to study before you apply.
• Applications may require you to have taken a certain number of AP exams and have achieved a certain SAT or ACT score in order to be considered for admission. Some countries (such as the UK) are very picky about this, and you probably won’t get in if you’re even a few points too low on the SAT/ACT.
• Dual enrollment cannot substitute AP exams and their credits cannot be transferred.
• Differences between American and Commonwealth English can create confusion during the application process.
• Some countries are a big step up from American high school, since their overall education systems are better. This means you’re getting a better education, but it is a lot harder.

            These are just some of the many things to consider. Will you like the food there? How will you get around? How can you find a student job (or can you not have one)? Going abroad is a big deal, and there are a lot of questions you’ll have to answer. But there’s no need to stress about it too much this early in the process (I know, so much easier said than done). It might seem scary to wait, but some things are easier to figure out once you’re there. As long as you’ve done enough of your homework to get a decent picture of life abroad, you’ll be just fine.

            At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. I highly recommend studying abroad. It’s a great experience, and it’s the best time to do it. Once you graduate and have a career, you might not have the time to travel like you can when you study abroad. You’ll learn so much more than you will if you stay in your home country, and you’ll meet people you’d never get the chance to meet otherwise.

            Studying abroad is amazing, but it isn’t for everyone. That’s perfectly okay! I’d still recommend traveling abroad (if you can) or going on a shorter study abroad trip through whatever university you decide to go to. Regardless of how long you’re away, you’ll learn and grow so much. It’s absolutely worth it.