| Thanks for all the advice!
I would love to stay more than one semester! But for various reasons, that's not an option for now.
I'm really liking the programs with a homestay component, but whether you get a good family seems to be the luck of the draw. Also, it would mean less freedom, though I think I can do with that. On the other hand, if I get an apartment with students from the area where I'm going (or at least from a different country than me), that would be neat, too.
Calcruzer, I know that language isn't everything; I've visited several countries where I didn't know the language and was still able to communicate with those who spoke English (mostly people with a university education). I still learned a lot about their culture, and the experiences were amazing. But while the language isn't the main component, I'd love to learn a new one/get better at Spanish. There are plenty of Spanish speakers at home, but it's still not the same. If the program requires any degree of language proficiency, I can't do it, but there are many that don't. In some of these, there are a few classes taught in English, or you have an extensive language orientation at the beginning, attend classes in that language, but can often write your papers in English. The latter sounds interesting, but also incredibly difficult.
I'd rather not just stay with Americans all the time. I'd love to live with and/or go to classes with students from other countries, but again, there's the language issue.
I've really only been looking through the programs my school allows. I can't really add one to the list if I want it to be considered residence credit (which I need for my scholarship).
gooduniforme - that definitely doesn't detract from my post. It has to do with studying abroad, doesn't it? Anyway, it depends on the school and the program. If you go to a program through your school, however, often the financial aid is the same as what you would get at home. So yes, you might be making hefty out-of-pocket contributions (or it may cost less, though that prob. won't be the case in Western Europe). There are study abroad scholarships out there, though. |