I was wondering who here has studied abroad and if so, where did you go and how was your experience. Like what did you do there on a daily basis, how the people were, and stuff like that. I decided a while ago I definitely want to study abroad before I graduate, and though I'm leaning towards going to Asia, I still haven't made up my mind, so I'd enjoy hearing any of you guys' experiences.
You should think about Dubai. American University in Dubai and American University in Sharjah are great. They also have affiliations with U.S. Universities, so transffering your credits now or later on would be easy. It all depends on why you're travelling abroad. Dubai is very high-tech, cosmopolitan, with a laid back social scene. Lots of expats (almost all expats actually) and good money too.
Yeah, I studied abroad...in this town in Texas... . Had a great time. Played a lot of tennis, basketball (even though I sucked) and soccer (intramurals).
I'm a rising college junior, and I'm studying Arabic in Amman, Jordan right now at Qasid Institute (www.qasid.com). If you're interested in learning Arabic, you should definitely consider Qasid, it's the most professionally run and organized Arabic institution in the Middle East targeted at teaching westerners classical or modern standard arabic.
I studied abroad in Madrid during the first semester of my junior year. I had no class Friday and only one class Thursday. Went out at least five nights a week and got to travel all over Europe. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life.
I studied a broad and I realized they are too complicated so I just gave up and got her drunk.. then moved on.
I spent a summer in Italy taking classes through a college here in Kentucky. Murray State. We had classes in the morning, I took a drawing tour class and a Roman art history class. We spent part of our time in Rome, most of the time in Florence, and then finished the last week in Venice. Each weekend we took side trips on the train throughout the country (didn't want to get too far away) so I saw Pompeii and Sorrento, Sienna, Assisi etc. I had a great time and it was fantastic to see the art that you were learning about up close and personal. Also it was neat to pander around the cities and just stop to draw for an hour or two. The people there were so friendly, little kids and adults alike would come up and see your drawings and such. It was a really fulfilling experience. I don't know what sort of studying you are planning to do, so I can't say it's the right sort of trip for everyone, but I loved it. It was like a learning/working vacation.
It would be a good thing if every American had the privilege of living abroad for one year some time in their early 20s. I don't have any advice other than to wish you the best and hope you have a great experience.
I wanted to make a thread about the same subject, because I recently became intrested in going to another country, except it'll be to teach English there. I plan on doing it after I finish 4 years in college(you're required to have a bach. degree), and I'll get my master when I come back. I'm thinking about doing it in Korea, since I always been drawn to their culture. Most agencies will pay you about 2mil WON(2,000USD) a month, plus pay for your apartment(already furnished), plane ticket there and back. Apparently alot of people do it to pay off bills, since it's a good and easy way to make and save money, I won't be doing it for this reason though.
I'm glad all of you really enjoyed your experiences. I guess another question I have is whether the language barrier handicapped you at all? I get the impression that when you study abroad, you're kinda on your own, so it's difficult to start meeting people if you're not even fluent in their main language. Though I might be wrong and I know some of the programs include classes where you learn their language/culture. I guess it's to be expected that you might be on your own for most of your trip huh? Either way, I'd really look forward to just wondering around and seeing all the sights. Breaker - that sounds really cool and something I'd enjoy learning a little more about. Do you have any websites you can pass on that have more information about programs like that?
Lol at the studied a broad response...I used that one a few times myself anyways studing aboard was possibly the greatest time of my life and i didnt even realize it until it was over...I was in Barcelona for 5 months and I loved every minute of it...if you like clubs, beaches, a holiday for every week, and a siesta everyday...then Spain is your country...My top cities in spain 1. Barcelona 2. Madrid 3. Salamanca 4. sevilla
also make sure to look into scholarships...that was my cheapest semester in college...My school paid me 10K to study in Barcelona for a semester and they paid me 4.5K to study one week in Brasil
