SilverClover

PS- OP, look for programs in Belize. I'm not sure if there ARE any, but it was a British colony so they speak English/ Creole, but also about 60% of the population speaks Spanish. It would certainly be a much more rewarding experience than going to the UK or Australia.

mhny

My advice would be to look for a program with as much contact as possible with local people, and to stay away from the ones that are American enclaves. I studied in Bordeaux for a year on the UC program -- wonderful experience, and some of the 100 kids on the program actually learned French. Knew some kids at Stanford in France, on the other hand, who spent their entire time holed up together in their dorm with other Americans (this was years ago; of course it all may have changed with those two programs) but definitely pretty much wasted time for them in my opinion.

Little Mother

Staying with a host family rather than living in a dorm will also enhance your experience. You'll get to develop your own network of folks who live there--almost like another family.

happycollegemom

my kids did/will be doing study abroad, and it's probably the single most valuable educational experience they will ever experience! and by education, i mean total personal growth and development! after having said that, the WAY you do it is up to you and what you want from it. my kids were close-to-fluent when they went, wanting to increase their ability. one will add an actual internship, in addition to the classes. home-stay seems best for total submersion in the culture, and as mhny just said, IF you want to truly experience the culture and want to work on a language skill, the less-traveled places are best. one of mine chose Aix-en-Provence over Paris for these reasons.
also, be sure you're ok with college credits, as they may be slow in transferring from abroad, or may not be identical to your college courses. some kids find they are behind in requirements, if they don't check this out first. best of luck and enjoy!

mchs

One of the dangers of many study abroard programs is that they simply move a group of American kids from a domestic setting to a foreign setting, but instead of offering a cultural experience, the American kids en masse go to cafes, bars, whatever, and rarely get beyond their immediate group.

So I would recommend that you look for a program that runs small groups and promises "cultural immersion" rather than one that brings a couple hundred American kids to live in together in dorms in another country.

My favorites are the ones offered the school for international training in putney, vermont. (sit.org)

SilverClover

SIT <3 <3

They are amazing. They have some of the coolest programs I've ever heard of which is why I'm spending a year with them. And possibly a summer too.

ticklemepink

mchs is ABSOLUTELY correct!!!

I just got back from a fabbbbulous semester in Israel- I had such a wonderful time that I stayed for another two months! To answer your questions, I'll use my experience as an example.

At first I was hesitated about studying abroad because I loved my school so much but my advisor told me to go somewhere- get out. So I did. There are absolutely no downside to being abroad except maybe you might not want to go home... (as in my case). I had friends in Israel who were pre-med and they still managed to go. Either they doubled up all the sciences in the first two years or chose to take physics in their senior year and thus, putting off med school for a year or so. They're happy with whatever decisions they made.

There really are so many choices. I looked into France, Italy, and Czech Republic before looking into Israel. Really read through the sites and brochures- look at the classes, look at trips they plan to offer... read their mission statement. Look at how much it costs and what it covers- does it seem reasonable? If it's ridiculously expensive, then it's obviously targeted for profit. When choosing a program in a popular country like France, Spain, Italy, and the UK, try to narrow your focus because there's bound to be one that fits most of your criteria. For example, there was a fine arts program in Florence that heavily focuses on art history, studio art, and had some Italian Jewish history... and not so heavy on the Italian language- perfect for me at that time. When it comes to other countries with smaller number of programs, just try to choose the one that you feel comfortable and good about- especially the location, location. For me, did I want to live in Tel Aviv which is a lot like NYC, always on the go, very modern... or Jerusalem, more relaxed, very diverse, and strong historical signifiance?

I lived in all of that when I was in Israel. I mostly lived in student apartments with other Americans- that kinda sucked. If we were lucky, we'd be placed with the Israelis- quite an adventure from what I've heard. For families, it can be kind of confiding because the parents are always looking from the corner of their eyes but at the same time, it's so wonderful to have their patience and desire to help you learn for learning the national language. I highly, HIGHLY recommend NOT going with your school!!!! You just don't get out and explore the country. I'm so glad that I didn't get in my school's London program because then I wouldn't have gotten to know Israel as well as I do now. Like someone said, don't pick a program where it's just a change of scenary for American kids who'll just go en masse to bars and cafes and on travels. It's okay for travels.... but for daily life, NO.

Unless you have an absolute reason for going to a Spanish speaking country where you already know the language, try something new. Usually programs where the language is difficult or not well offered in the States will be English-based with additional instruction in the language so you can learn your way around. Most popular countries generally required 4 semesters of their language because... it's just popular. So if you want to go to France, it's going to take some searching to find a program that will let you learn French from scratch rather than place you in a literature class (AUP does that). Otherwise, countries like Denmark, Egypt, Israel, Czech Republic, Poland, and Sweden will be fine because they'll offer language classes and teach regular classes in English.

First, write down your goals.
1) What's more important? Buffering your academic resume or take a risk and go out of your way to learn a brand new culture?
2) What kind of traveling do you want to do?
3) Climate? (Especially important if you go to a freezing cold school like Colgate...)
4) Interaction with the locals?
5) Finances- traveling and day-to-day living
6) Comfort of being the religious minority if you're not going to South America or Europe
7) CAN I REALLY DO THIS?!?!?

Feel free to PM me

ticklemepink

PS-Stay in the country! Getting to know the people and all the little towns and mountains and lakes makes the country even more beautiful than you can ever imagine.

ennaxor

I'm studying abroad in London this year, and have been here for only about 3 and a half weeks. I chose a program through my school: they own a house in South Kensington, where about 40 of us live and take all our classes (one professor from our school came with us to teach a couple classes, and other classes are taught by local professors that my school brings in).

I absolutely love it so far. London is such a huge city I know that there will always be something for me to do. We only have classes Monday-Thursday, so we always have three days weekends to get out and explore. A couple weekends ago I went with a group to Scotland, and this past weekend I went to Amsterdam with a few friends. I've been going to a church nearby on Sunday evenings, and am planning on getting involved with the student group there.

We have a few big trips that everyone in the program goes on, but besides that are free to explore as we like. I have a small list of other countries I'd like to visit while here, but at the same time am planning on spending a good number of weekends in London to really get to know the city.

I don't really have much more to add, seeing as I've barely started my stay here. Still, just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

mj93

Is there ever the risk of doing a homestay program and ending up in an unsafe home?

snowball

lindz0722- I was trying to get in touch with you concerning your abroad program in Granada. I sent you an email through the forum about 10 days ago, but maybe you didn't get it or you have changed your email address.

My daughter is most likely going on the API Granada program in the spring and we have a few questions we would like to ask you. Could you either turn on private messaging here on CC or let me know here where I could contact you. With PM we could chat without clogging us this thread.

Hopefully you will see this message.

BookAddict

mj93 - I've heard that there is that risk, yes. However, I don't think the risk is too high, and if you find yourself in that situation, the program leaders can get you into a different place, as long as you talk to them. (The Swarthmore page someone pointed out earlier is a good read.)

intladvisor

I can add a couple of comments that might be useful. Although you've gotten some pretty good advice already here, I would recommend a couple of other things.

If you want to go to Spain or Latin America, one program has more options than any other, with extremely good support, and at a lower price than the programs mentioned - ISA. They go to 10 cities in Spain, and to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, and Peru. Their website is http://www.studiesabroad.com.

Before you pick this program, or any other, compare them side by side in terms of cost and services, to see which one gives the best for the money. A great website for finding programs is http://www.goabroad.com, along with http://www.studyabroad.com, and http://www.iiepassport.org to search for all the programs out there.

My students have found that a host family is one of the best ways to improve your language skills, learn about the local culture, eat well, and be safe abroad. If you are the kind of person that can avoid the pitfall of hanging out with your American friends all the time, it may not matter what your housing option is. Going with a group can make it too easy to miss what is happening in your host country and makes you lazy by always speaking English with your American friends.

There's something really great about improving your language skills that you won't get if you just go to an English speaking country. Language is culture, and by learning a foreign language you will have to see things from another point of view. But the language will show you the way if you listen carefully. I think it's a richer experience. I've learned 6 foreign languages by living abroad and I think it's the best experience personally. But any program abroad is good. Just go!

myohmy

I am interested in studying in Ghana, but I have some concerns. Some girls were raped on previous programs. Just how safe is Ghana with the malaria, HIV, and rape issues. Thanks.

PlattsburghLoser

My best advice I could give is to research the city you'll be spending the majority of your time in. I studied in Beijing and didn't do much research (stupid, I know) and to my surprise, learned that they're horribly racist in Beijing. I ended up leaving earlier and lost $20K.