| FAQ for Anyone Wanting to Study Abroad
Study Abroad FAQ:
Background: I went on a study abroad program with AFS International (afs.org) in my junior year of high school. I went to Graz, Austria with zero knowledge of German (I came back with a HUGE fluency and now I can read whole novels in german with no problem at all and my accent is great, please excuse the hubris) and stayed with a host family. I can’t speak for some college program but I think I can speak pretty well for most European exchange experiences. I was in Austria from September 2006-July 2007 (the whole school year).
Now, on to the FAQ!
Q. How much did your program cost?
A. The program fees were approximately $8,000 including plane tickets, school fees, and extensive volunteer support network, transportation within the country (to school and camps, not just willy-nilly). I spent over $2,000 in trips, shopping, food, and books (and brought back two suitcases full).
Q. Is Europe expensive?
A. With the dollar being as it is AND the fact that European products are generally more expensive than their American counterparts, yes. It isn’t overly expensive but I wouldn’t expect to go dining out every single day or go on ridiculous shopping sprees. Also an interesting note, do NOT buy any large-ticket items (over 100E) in Europe, or anything that was made in America. An Austrian newspaper and my own personal experiences showed that American products are up to 3x more expensive in Europe than in the U.S. Example: Ralph Lauren Jeans: $30 or 100E. iPod Nano? $150 or 400E. Just don’t.
Q. How is the social scene?
A. It varies from country to country but generally European teenagers and college students enjoy going to bars and clubs more than American students.
Q. Can you seriously drink at 16 in [insert country here]?
A. Most of them yes. 16 for beer and wine, 18 for hard liquor.
Q. How were the people?
A. Austrians (maybe some Western Europeans as well) seem a bit ‘cold’ when you first meet them. This IS a cultural difference and they generally avoid the false smiles and friendliness of Americans. This doesn’t mean they’re less friendly, just that they warm up when you get to know them better. I can only speak for Austria and Germany in this case however, because I didn’t spend enough time in Italy, France, or Spain to judge the people there with much accuracy.
Q. How’s travel in Europe?
A. Surprisingly cheap compared to travel in America. The train system will probably be the way most often used to get around. It’s fast, relatively cheap (last summer they had a 100 euro pass for students that was valid all throughout Europe. Some people just hopped on trains and took day trips to Switzerland or something. Crazy stuff). You can stay in hostels, which are basically just places with basic food and beds for travelers (mostly miserly students). Don’t worry, they’re generally safe and cheap. Rates vary but in Vienna I think I paid 20E a night? Not bad compared to hotel prices.
Q. What should I pack?
A. Depends on how long you go. Don’t pack excessive amounts of heavy things if you have a baggage limit (like a tuba, your grandma, loads of books, etc.) but do take stuff like clothes for the seasons you’ll be in the country, small gifts for your host family (or teachers?), laptop, whatever. I would advise AGAINST buying huge amounts of books here in the language of the country you’ll be going to because if there’s one thing I love about Europe it’s the cheaper book prices. Not all books and not too cheap but I went on a crazy book shopping spree and sent back a crapload of stuff. Even with shipping, it was cheaper than what I could’ve bought them for here in America (more variety as well) and I had more luggage space.
Q. How do I learn/study the language of the country I’m in?
A. This is the point which I most often find students confused about. The foreign language education system in America is crap, to put it lightly. And it’s less, but still crappy, in Europe too. Don’t buy huge pre-WWII typed manuals of verbs and conjugations or whatever. Go to the country and watch TV! Talk with people! Read comics! The idea here is to not use English too much. If you do, your language learning will slow down, and what’s an exchange without language learning? The idea is to get input from the language, which doesn’t mean shutting yourself in a cell with ‘Ye Olde Grammar Pointes’. Go listen, read, talk and I almost guarantee you that if you’re serious about it and do enough, you won’t regret it.
Ah, this is all I can think of for now. It’s almost 10PM and I’m sleep-deprived so please forgive any errors.
Further questions, clarifications, or dispute is welcome. | 
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