Studying Abroad on a Budget: Make it an Option
This past summer, I received the opportunity to go abroad and spend six weeks in Scandinavia. Honestly, I never imagined going abroad because I figured between money restraints and pre-medical course work, studying abroad was just not feasible. Luckily, during my sophomore year of college, a friend of mine who studied abroad the semester encouraged me to make it an option.
At the time, I didn’t quite understand what he meant. Though, with some handy research, I realized that studying abroad should be personalized to me. With money being my main concern, I knew that I needed funding. With that, I began applying for scholarships offered through my home university’s scholarship office. Then, I researched and applied for private scholarships I found online*. After finding a few scholarships, I started researching programs that fit my description of a study abroad experience. Lastly, I scheduled a visit with my academic advisor and was ensured that studying abroad would not hinder my 4-year graduation plan. Compiling all of my findings, I compared the costs and the amount of funding I might have access to and applied to my program.
Looking back on my experience, I do believe studying abroad is a highlight of my undergraduate career. I know that what I learned will be applicable for the rest of my life. Living and engaging in a new culture enabled me to see the significance of being culturally diverse. To name a few examples, studying abroad demonstrated how different economies affect the drug discovery and development industry, how the definition of respectful behavior changes in distinctive environments, and how fika(coffee and treat breaks at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm—yes, please!) should be implemented in everyday life. These minor differences demonstrate just how diverse the human race can be, and by being aware, I know I will handle situations in the future regarding opposing ideas more effectively.
Are you ready to expand your culture awareness, and do it financially savvy? Check out my tips below!
1. Plan early!
If you have an itch to travel, don’t write it off! Planning early will allow you to be able to apply for funding and save for your trip!
2. Talk to your advisors!
If cost is holding you back, talk to your study abroad advisors. Research the different programs your school promotes and pick a program that best suits you. Even if you have to compromise your number one destination, the experience will be unforgettable. If you are worried that your major (or majors) prevents you from having room in your schedule, talk to your academic advisors. Perhaps a summer program best suit you! Your studying abroad program should be personal to you, and there are options for you to take advantage of this opportunity.
3. Do your research!
Besides researching programs, start looking for funding opportunities. The link below is for the Gilman Scholarship foundation which has multiple opportunities for scholarships. I started my scholarship search by typing into Google “Study Abroad Scholarship for Summer Terms” and went from there.
4. Don’t underestimate your Study Abroad Office resources!
While private scholarships are great, I’d also encourage you to look at what your home university is offering. Your study abroad offices can provide an ample opportunities for you to help off-set the cost of your trip. Plus, they may have addition tips and tricks to help write a competitive essay.
5. Understand the value of your trip!
Before I was getting ready to leave, I was highly stressed. Plane tickets, dorms, food, books, tuition abroad are expensive! Looking back, I realized that my stress and anxiety were so minor to the experiences I gained abroad. Remember to take a step back and take a breath because the experience flies by.
*Be careful to ensure the private scholarships are reliable. Check with your financial aid office to learn tips and tricks to ensure you are applying to legitimate foundations.
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