| yes, they do.
My son will be studying in Japan for 6 months, starting in August. Living with a family and attending high school (Japanese spoken only). Prior to giving the OK for this, we attended several college fairs and asked MANY admissions officers specifically whether doing this would help or hurt an application (he intends to major in Japanese Language/Lit.). The unanimous answer was "Do it - it will be a great experience and would be a big plus on your application."
Of course, much depends on the actual program and your intended major, but study abroad will always show your interest/awareness of other cultures, willingness to leave your comfort zone, etc. The fact that you are putting this trip together yourself shows a lot of motivation and independence. Go, definitely, and have a great time. Keep a journal if possible and try to get documentation of your work (a letter, transcript, etc.). |