Study Abroad Blog

Graduate Study Abroad
By Brett Quimby

If you’re looking to continue your studies after finishing undergrad and are eyeing grad schools, why not look overseas?  You will have a great time traveling to a new, unique destination and get some international experience for your resume.  You might even save some money: many programs abroad are shorter than their equivalents here in the states, and since many are subsidized by their government. It’s also far cheaper, since a year in the states can run you more than $60,000.

One caveat with studying abroad: since there is more to deal with in terms of visas, funding (see below), and figuring out which kind of plug adapter you’ll need for your Xbox, you need to start planning earlier than you would for local grad schools.  For example, most counselors recommend beginning the process for obtaining a Fulbright scholarship two years ahead of your proposed start-date at school, so either begin to plan junior year or realize you might have a year between schools to focus on your application.

Funding is also a very big part of getting to study abroad, since you’ll have to learn the ins and outs of looking for scholarships and grants.  Financial aid is more complicated than just applying to your prospective school’s financial aid department.  Many international schools have some sort of aid, but you really should look into scholarships, since you may be eligible and less debt is always better than more debt.  A great website to look into funding is the aptly-named http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/ , which has a database of most international scholarships that is searchable by country, degree, subject, and other criteria.  It’s quite an impressive and informational resource.

There are a couple of incredible websites that have large listings of all the programs available to students looking to study abroad.  One of the best is at http://www.gradschools.com/international-programs.html, which is a searchable database of programs.  Also check out:
http://www.princetonreview.com/graduate-schools-programs.aspx?uidbadge=%07
http://www.studyabroad.com/grad_sab/?WT.srch=1&gclid=CIamxoasmZYCFQVfFQodXDiU5w

You can study all of the same subjects you would study here in the states, but there are a few locations that end up being a little more popular for American students.  Here are three of them:
•    England / the UK
There are thousands of programs scattered throughout some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world (Oxford and Cambridge, anyone?) in the UK.  You can study whatever you want, whether it is Chaucerian prose or international law (plus you’ll get some studying in on the important subjects of afternoon tea, cricket, and proper spelling of words like colour and centre).  Here are some UK-specific websites in addition to the ones noted above:
o    http://www.topuniversities.com/country_guides/uk0/
o    http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-educationuk.htm
o    http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-education-advisors-us-study-abroad-faqs.htm (this site is “brilliant!” – it gives you a rundown of how schools work in the UK)
o    http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/home/index.cfm (this is a mammoth site, billed as “the official gateway to universities, colleges, and research organizations in the UK”)
o    http://www.postgrad.ie/study_abroad/uk.html

•    Australia
Always a popular travel and study abroad destination, Australia has some top-notch graduate programs.  You can get your degree and then go on a walkabout or waltz Matilda.  Here are a few websites you should check out, mate:
o    http://www.topuniversities.com/gradschool/graduate_programs/country_guides/australasia/
o    http://www.education.gov.au/goved/go/pid/10 (the Australian government’s international student portal)
o    http://www.australiainfo.net.au/areas/escolas/school.php
o    http://www.australearn.org/programs/degree_programs/
o    http://www.degreesabroad-cis.com/australia.htm

•    China
China’s here, it’s important, and we need to do everything we can to build strong business and academic relationships with the world’s newest superpower.  Here are a few places you can find information about studying there as a graduate:
o    http://www.studyabroad.com/china.html
o    http://www.spainexchange.com/study_abroad/graduate_programs2-CN-en-px.htm
o    http://www.ciee.org/study/scholarships.aspx#china

•    India
Again, India is an incredibly important country on the world stage right now, and there are limitless business opportunities there.  Here are a few websites to get you going:
o    http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/graduate/moreInfo.html
o    http://www.spainexchange.com/study_abroad/graduate_programs2-IN-en-px.htm

Good luck, and have fun!

Summer programs are ideal for students who want to get away from the comforts of home for a little while. Why not take a break from the usual academic routine, and get some university credits out of the way in an international location?  Most universities offer summer study abroad programs or exchange programs. Here are some of the most popular summer study abroad destinations:

1. Spain
Summer study in Spain is ideal due to warm the climate and sunny weather. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid have excellent universities and is ideal for the student who can immerse him or herself in its relaxing lifestyle and endlessly fun nightlife.

Madrid: http://www.studyabroad.com/programs/academic/madrid
Barcelona: http://www.studyabroad.com/programs/academic/barcelona
http://www.aifsabroad.com/spain/
http://www.cccs.com/

2. France
For those attracted to studying the finer things in life, the city of Paris is a cultural Mecca of art, literature, architecture, fashion, and cuisine. Paris is the perfect place for the art student. The country has some of the most famous museums in the world, and home to artists Monet, Degas, and Cezanne. To find out how to spend a summer studying in the City of Lights, check out http://www.studyabroadparis.org/ for more information.

http://www.summerstudy.com/paris/index.cfm
http://www.parissummerstudy.com/

3. England
Don’t want to spend your summer abroad trying to learn a completely different language? Consider England–all the flair of a European country without the language barrier. Plus, England is home to some of the oldest and most well known universities in the world. The University of Cambridge hosts summer schools for a variety of topics, including art history, science, literature, and medieval studies. Or consider the University of Oxford. Twenty-four British prime ministers have been educated at the university, and the city of Oxford has plenty of shops, markets, theaters and pubs, and is located 80 minutes from bus to London.

Cambridge Study Abroad programs: http://www.iiepassport.org/webapp/controller/PassportSearchResultsInt?programid=&country=225&fieldofstudy=&language=&academiclevel=&duration=&worldarea=&city=&organization=&restrictions=&exclude=&sponsorid=&failurl=&daad=&germany=&state=&formatid=&austsplash=&australia=&sponsorname=University+of+Cambridge

Oxford University Web site: http://www.ox.ac.uk/

4. Japan
You’ve got plenty of options in a place like Japan. Japan is a place where a student will surely be enamored by the thrill of its bustling, technologically advanced cities, and also by the natural, scenic beauty of its countryside. Japanese society places utmost important to high-quality education, and there are plenty of summer school options to choose from.

https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Japan/Tokyo_Summer/tokyoSummer.html
http://www.ccisstudyabroad.org/program.php?link=japan_tokyo_summer
http://www.ciee.org/program_search/program_detail.aspx?program_id=1741&type=part
http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/programs/summer/japan/asian-studies.html

5. Australia
Christmas break in July? Only in Australia. Since the country lies in the southern hemisphere, the weather is different to northern hemisphere weather and the Australian Christmas takes place in the height of summer. Their winter is actually from June to August. Australia has several summer programs from various universities with programs including Wildlife and Conservation, internships, and Australian Film, Literature & Media programs, and programs specializing in marine biology.

http://www.study-australia.com/?id=132
http://australearn.org/Search/Programs/ProgramID129/

6. Brazil
This large South American country is one of the newest study destinations, with the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro attracting most of its international students. Nature lovers will also revel in Brazil, as over half of the country is covered in forest, including the largest rainforest, the Amazon. Students can also study Portuguese, the official language, through Brazilian summer programs.

http://www.ciee.org/program_search/program_detail.aspx?program_id=124
http://www.newpaltz.edu/studyabroad/prog_summer_portuguese.html
http://studyabroad.rutgers.edu/program_brazil.html
http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/programs/summer/brazil/index.html
http://www.intraxstudyabroad.com/brazil/summer-cultural-immersion

 When you choose to study abroad, sometimes you inevitably will be sitting in a classroom filled with other Americans. To some, this may seem completely illogical. You go to study abroad to meet the locals — not locals in your own country.  However, studying abroad with Americans has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are are some advantages of study abroad with Americans from Student Traveler Magazine.

• • The lack of other Americans means you won’t have to endure critical analyses of recent U.S. cultural issues, like which Hilton sister is a better actress or the last episode of “Friends.” (Note: For some, this may be a drawback.)
  • Your new foreign pals will have slightly different customs (“Vassily, what are you wearing?”), but go with it coolness is so subjective, anyway. You may come home with a fresh sense of style or a newfound taste for stewed offal. (It’s happened before.)
  • Most schools will not only let you take classes, they’ll also permit you to join their teams, clubs, and organizations, another fantastic way to chill with local students. You may discover a new side of yourself for example, that you excel at Patanque, or, conversely, that your boogie-boarding skills are mere tiddlywinks compared to your Aussie buddies’.

But of course, there is always the other side of the coin with studying with other Americans. Here, an article in Student Traveler Magazine discusses the disadvantages of studying abroad with Americans.

• • Language, language, language. We’re not just focusing on Monty Python accents and Cockney slang; at least in England it’s still English. But if you study abroad in a non-English-speaking country and want to attend a local university, be sure your language skills are up for the challenge. You’ll be shown no special favors generally, but of course, your fluency will improve exponentially.
  • Most U.S. schools and study-abroad companies charge the equivalent of a full semester’s tuition at an American university to study at a foreign college. But native students at those schools are usually paying much less than you, sometimes by a matter of several degrees, meaning their spending habits will probably outpace yours, particularly at the pubs. Remember to take it easy.
  • Each country has its own official, nonsensical way of dealing with paperwork and rules, and that extends to schools. (“Of course we don’t require advisers to inform students when they take abrupt, month long vacations”). American-run programs abroad tend to handle all the bureaucracy for you, which can be a huge benefit. This also applies to the level of academic rigor: you know what you’ll get with an American-run program, but the foreign classes can be crushingly hard or easier than taking the London Tube.

Here are some important steps before you study abroad, from Student Traveler Magazine.

Get approval in writing, if possible, for the expected credits from your study abroad academic advisor at your school.Know what the grade requirements are for receiving credit. Your school may not accept pass/fail grades from an overseas school.

Plan ahead, since many deadlines for study abroad programs are six months or more in advance.

Know how much you can afford while you study abroad, even with financial aid.

Look at all your options for housing, including student housing, homestays with local families and apartments.

Studying abroad is a great opportunity to live and learn in a new culture. Take these first steps to make a study abroad experience a reality.

Most study abroad programs offer summer, semester or year long study abroad in Barcelona, London, Munich, and Paris. So the decision becomes whether to actually study abroad in Europe.

Justin Deitchman, in an article in Student Traveler Magazine, talks about his experience.

When I was in college I spent a summer studying abroad in London. It was an incredible experience not only because I learned a lot, met some cool people, and got to study British literature in the places where it was actually written, but also because it provided me with a jump-off point to travel all over Western Europe.

That’s one of the greatest things about studying in western Europe – everything is right there! You can study in Germany, and hop on a train one weekend to go to Amsterdam. Or you can study in Paris and catch the Chunnel (now faster than ever!) and spend the day in London.

Your college usually has a study abroad office that has programs in Western Europe to choose from. UCLA’s Education Abroad Programs (http://www.international.ucla.edu) offer study abroad in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK and Ireland. They also offer programs in Asia, the middle east and Africa. The University of Maryland (http://www.international.umd.edu) has programs all over Western Europe as well. Of course, there are just two schools so check with your Education Abroad Department.

Most study abroad programs offer summer, semester or year long study abroad in Barcelona, London, Munich, and Paris. So the decision becomes whether to actually study abroad in Europe.

Justin Deitchman, in an article in Student Traveler Magazine, talks about his experience.

When I was in college I spent a summer studying abroad in London. It was an incredible experience not only because I learned a lot, met some cool people, and got to study British literature in the places where it was actually written, but also because it provided me with a jump-off point to travel all over Western Europe.

That’s one of the greatest things about studying in western Europe – everything is right there! You can study in Germany, and hop on a train one weekend to go to Amsterdam. Or you can study in Paris and catch the Chunnel (now faster than ever!) and spend the day in London.

Your college usually has a study abroad office that has programs in Western Europe to choose from. UCLA’s Education Abroad Programs (http://www.international.ucla.edu) offer study abroad in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK and Ireland. They also offer programs in Asia, the middle east and Africa. The University of Maryland (http://www.international.umd.edu) has programs all over Western Europe as well. Of course, there are just two schools so check with your Education Abroad Department.

Spain has always been at the top of the list of those that want to travel. It’s also in the top ten for countries to study abroad in. Just north of the capital of Madrid is one of the most popular colleges to study abroad in Spain: University of Alcala de Henares. It is located about 40 minutes north of Madrid by Spain. What makes the city and school unique? It’s the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote. It also is the town where Christopher Columbus prepared his trip to the New World.

Jason Gurvitz wrote this in Student Traveler Magazine about his time at the university:

You are at home. You are comfortable and exhilarated. It is not often that feeling at home also means feeling non stop energy, excitement, and wonder but this home is different from what you are used to. This is what it’s like to study abroad in Madrid. One of the most underrated cities in all of Europe, it is the heart of Spain and the lifeblood of a culture that has maintained its identity in our overly structured and sanitized modern world. Although the city can seem daunting to the world-weary traveler at first glance, don’t be surprised if you call it home after only a couple of weeks.

The town has so much history, and is so close to the capital. There is no wonder it has been such a popular place to study abroad in Spain. The nightlife is second to none, and you can be studying at a bar across the street from a church that was in the middle of the civil war. Like the rest of Spain, you feel like you are living the history.

If I were back in college, and had the opportunity to study abroad, I would be hard pressed to find a better study abroad destination than Spain. Having traveled through much of this beautiful and diverse country, I can definitively say that Spain is an amazing place with a lot to offer any traveler or study abroad participant.

One thing that I noticed that defined the Spanish culture for me was the escalator etiquette. In the London, if you stand on the right side of an Tube station escalator, you’ll get run down by a mob of briefcase-wielding business men and various other frenzied pedestrians. It is very organized – stand on the left, walk on the right, and don’t screw up! In Spain, the scene is quite different. People stand with legs and arms spread, in defiance. The mindset seems to be, “if the stairs are moving on their own, why should I walk up them?” And trying to push past is almost a futile endeavor. You’ll get that look that says, “where do you have to be that’s so important?”

Beside the Bob Marley-mellow vibe, Spain also has some interesting culture, amazing food, beautiful beaches, great weather, and the nightlife, well that’s a whole other blog. Anyone interested in studying abroad in Spain should still intend to take their classes seriously. You’ll be able to get a lot out of your time abroad in Spain if you work hard at your classes, learn the local language, and put aside a bit of time for fun as well.

But how do you plan for study abroad trip to Spain. According to Student Traveler, first make sure your credit is transferable. Next, figure out the best timing to go. Then, look into housing arrangements, and finally work on costs and getting financial aid.

The laid back atmosphere doesn’t mean that it’s all one big party, but if you study abroad in Spain and don’t sample the tapas bars and all-night clubs, you’ll be missing out on one of the most fun parts of the Spanish cultural experience!

For more information on study abroad in Spain, check out Student Traveler’s study abroad section.

Work experience can be a wonderful opportunity while you study abroad. Some study abroad programs already provide internship opportunities. Here is how you can work overseas while you study abroad.

6 months or longer:

You must apply for entry clearance indicating whether you want to undertake paid work while in the UK. Entry clearance documents for students will be endorsed with a “Code 2″ stamp, which states “No recourse to public funds. Work (and any changes) must be authorised”. This stamp entitles you to work with the above restrictions. You can not work if your stamp reads “Work is prohibited”.

6 months or shorter:

You must tell the immigration officer if you intend to work while in the UK. He or she will then ask to see evidence that you have been accepted as a student at a higher education institution and that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in the UK.

In order to enter the UK as a student, you must be able to prove that you are able to financially support yourself while studying. You may not use any additional money earned through employment in the UK as proof of these funds. Should you satisfy the Immigration Officer’s requirements, you will be given a “Code 2” stamp which reads “Work and any changes must be authorised.” This stamp gives you permission to work up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours per week during vacations. A “Code 3” stamp, which reads “Work and any changes are prohibited”, means you are not allowed to work while you are in the UK.

You should be aware that Immigration Officers are not required to give students studying in the UK for less than six months the Code 2 stamp. The decision is on an individual basis and at the Immigration Officer’s discretion. Source: British Council

Student Traveler Magazine also has a checklist of what you need to do to work overseas.

Do you like to cook. Is the Food Network your favorite channel? Maybe you should consider to taking cooking lessons while you study abroad in Spain. Here is an article from Matt Goulding at Student Taveler about doing just that.

 When Chef Federico placed the large, purple octopus on the cutting board in front of me, I brandished my 12-inch knife like some sort of culinary Captain Nemo.

“What the hell is - Que es esto, chef?” I asked, tightening my grip around the rubber handle. My long white apron was covered in black ink splotches, the remnants of an earlier battle with a group of baby squid.

“Tranquilo, Californiano, esta muerto,” Fede shot back at me, a mischievous smirk under his rigid, towering toque. One of the tentacles unfolded on the board, its limp, slimy tip hanging off the stainless steel counter, and I saw he was right; the thing was dead. The other study abroad students began to lose it, first the restaurateur from Pamplona, then the lawyer fresh from a study abroad in Madrid and the homemaker from Bilbao not a soul able to contain their utter pleasure in seeing a foreigner, an American at that, struggle with a northern Spanish staple. But after two weeks of searing goose livers and sauteing pigs’ faces in a Basque culinary school, I had to be prepared for anything.

From an archived article in Student Traveler Magazine by Matt Goulding. See the entire article on study abroad in Spain at a cooking school