DS2 is a 1st semester junior. He’s thinking he might want to study abroad next semester, but not completely sold on it. Just in the thinking stages. His roommate went to Denmark last Semester, at least that’s where I think he went, and loved it. DS is more quiet and a homebody. Just wanting your opinions of those whose children went or not. I think he feels like he might miss out. His GF is considering going, so I don’t want that to be a deciding factor.
I did a less-traditional summer semester abroad. I lived in a hut in the middle of what was essentially an indigenous reservation in Costa Rica.
Loved it. I am an introverted homebody and it was a perfect placement for me. I don’t think I would’ve done as well if I was living in a dorm or something.
If it’s affordable, I think everyone should have the experience to live abroad for a decent amount of time.
Will it delay his graduation? What does he want to get out of the experience in terms of “learning” (important question to ask - or does “trip” just light up his eyes"?) Can you afford it? Will the school subsidize (or his fin aid) any of it?
My daughter spending 4 months in Dublin. She has been there 3 days and is already loving it.
Suite housing with a private room --and a “healthy” grocery store downstairs.
She will be in regular classes in the business school with majority Irish students and is looking forward to that.
So far she is very impressed with the program, the campus and Dublin in general.
I think it is a great thing for everyone to have the experience of actually living abroad, rather than just visiting.
I totally support a semester abroad. I guess I might be a little worried about my kid doing that her senior year. Does he have a job slated for after graduation? I think first semester senior year is a time of heavy recruiting/interviewing for jobs. If that’s not an issue, then I would totally be supportive.
I’ve done them myself twice as a student and my daughter is about to go on one next month. They are a unique experience and I highly recommend them to anyone that can swing them, no matter what their personality. An introvert may not want to live with a family like I did on one program and may prefer a single dorm room or apartment, but there are many many options so something for everyone.
I think living in a country for an extended period (not just vacationing) is always an education, so I’m all for semesters abroad. That said, I think too many programs end up just being an extended vacation. I’d want to find a program that isn’t too isolated and where you’ll meet and interact with locals.
My younger so (International Relations major studying Arabic) did three study abroad programs. One summer after freshman year, and two different programs junior year all in Jordan The best was an intensive language study where they were housed on the local university campus and shared quarters with Jordanian students and also had a different local language partner. That program had a language pledge and most of the students were very good about only speaking Arabic even to each other.
I agree that senior year doesn’t seem like ideal timing. I’m a little confused though about why he’s a first semester junior…
Whether or not semesters abroad are beneficial probably depends upon the personality of the student, their major, and the support and involvement of the school.
D1 did one in the UK and loved it. She graduated on time.
D2 did not do one, had no interest in doing one, and regrets it now.
When is the projected college graduation date?
What Nrdsb4 said. Depends on the student, the major, the specific study abroad program.
D1 did a semester in a European country and had overall a good experience (but had more meaningful experiences during a 6 week summer trip to an Asian country, and a summer internship in an African country).
D2 did a semester in a South American country and had a really rough time (which I’ve posted about elsewhere on CC). There was a lot–a LOT–of parental time on Facetime/Skype, and a lot of time working with her school’s very helpful and sympathetic study abroad office. In the end, she says she was grateful for the experience. Knowing what I know now, I’d have wanted her to understand more about how the study abroad experience differs in structure from the usual campus experience. We certainly became more aware of just how many students have a tough time on study abroad; with so many students loving the experience, those who didn’t may not want to talk about their unhappiness.
No right answer. He should get a sense of the pros and cons, and then decide if it’s for him or not.
" That said, I think too many programs end up just being an extended vacation."
Agree with @mathmom. Of course, if you can afford to give him an extended vacation, that’s great. But many of these programs are set in areas where there are a lot of English-speakers, so the kiddo doesn’t end up learning a lot of the language. And ends up hanging out with a lot of other Americans, which is also a bit besides the point (IMO.)
OTOH, living abroad, even for just 3-4 months, is a wonderful experience, and if you don’t have unreasonable expectations, it can be great.
Still, usually it’s too short a stay for making lasting connections with locals, gaining fluency in a foreign language, and really pushing yourself beyond a comfort zone. For that you need to stay longer, a year or longer.
I think it is a positive experience. Few things to consider: will it delay graduation and the cost. My DD only considers summer semester study abroad programs since graduation on time is critical due to the amount we pay for her education.
I look back on my semester abroad in Rome as one of the highlights of my life, and one of those truly formative experiences that helped me develop into the person I am today. Having my daughter participate in study abroad was a priority for me, but alas, she didn’t want to take time away from her extracurricular activities (which actually relate more directly to her career goals than her majors do).
I really wanted our kids to do a term or year abroad but neither kid wanted to so neither kid did it. Neither has voiced any regrets to me, so I assume they are OK with choices they made.
For many kids, studying abroad is a positive experience that allows them to grow and gain some valuable perspectives. Learning about other cultures is eye-opening for many kids. One of my daughters spent six months in Spain (winter and summer semesters)–it really enhanced her language skills (she ended up with a Spanish minor). She also lived with a Spanish family and remains friends with them almost 10 years later. My other daughter went to a theater program in Moscow. Up until then, she had not considered pursuing acting as a career. This program also had a required language component (my D already had 2 years of Russian). I think programs that allow kids to immerse themselves in the culture of the country (which includes studying the language) can be extremely rewarding. Both of my kids wished they had stayed for an entire year.
A lot depends on his major. Son’s first roommate did his second semester “abroad” at a Utah school that combined skiing with basic breadth requirements. There is no way son could have gone anywhere that would have benefitted his STEM interests more than staying where he was. Likewise a semester abroad would have been fascinating for me but would have interfered with my degree plans.
No matter what he decides he will be “giving up” something. He may choose to give up the smooth progression of meeting his major requirements (eg as a STEM major) or he may benefit from the different world view. Can he/you afford the extra time and or money it may require?
I’m very glad my daughters did semesters abroad, and I think they are, too. Not every moment was wonderful but that was part of the learning experience. Both went to countries where they were racial minorities (D1 to Ghana, D2 to Vietnam). Each did a program that was sufficiently related to her concentration (D1, writing, art, and culture) or major (D2, economics). Their financial aid paid for everything but airfare and incidental expenses.
As long as it’s a reputable program and it’s affordable for your family, what would be the down side? Personally, I think every American should spend an extended amount of time abroad. We are so isolated in the U.S, in language and in geography.
There are definitely study abroad programs designed for STEM majors. It doesn’t need to interfere with their course of study.