I didn’t think that schools could have an affiliate; that’s new but reassuring info!
I will say, study abroad is a (potentially irrational) desire of mine in college. I want as much experience as possible (a year would suffice) in an Arabic-speaking country (or potentially French if I change my mind), and I’m additionally thinking about a gap year through a State Dept. intensive Arabic exchange program. Let me know if that desire is, in fact, irrational and if I should move on from that.
Of course, finances take ultimate priority, but after finances, many factors are weighed similarly IMO, with study abroad being one that takes slight priority over many others.