If you are reading this it means you are seriously considering studying abroad. Congratulations!  I assure you that you are doing the right thing by at least entertaining the option. Choose the right program and you’ll be thanking yourself for years to come.

***** Start Your Research Early *****

     Make sure that you have enough time to get all the information you need. If you’re thinking of studying abroad your junior year, you should begin looking in the middle of your sophomore year, at the very latest. Right now is the time to apply for Winter and Spring ’09. 

***** Choose Your Host Country *****

     The easiest thing to do is to go to an English-speaking country. Don’t be scared to study in a country whose language you don’t speak. Good programs are equipped to teach you what you need to know, and within a couple of months you’ll be speaking the new language. New language and foreign culture will look good on your resume. 

***** Language Requirements *****

     - Some programs are made for students who already know the foreign language. These programs do not accept students who are beginners.

     - Better equipped programs accept students of all levels, from absolute beginners to almost fluent. AbroadItaly.com accepts students of all levels of Italian language. 

***** Summer, Winter, Semester, or School Year *****

     Adjusting to a new culture can take a while, and it is a shame to leave when you’ve just settled in at the end of a short term program. For most students, the second semester is often more comfortable and rewarding than the first.

     You may choose to stay for just a summer, winter, or semester if you are not as adventurous. Or if you have a special someone you can’t stand to be away from. Or if you have lots of friends that you can’t live without. But you can get so much more from a whole school year abroad. 

***** Types of Programs *****

     - Programs run or sponsored by US universities. Usually, these programs are held and organized by foreign schools that have an agreement with the US university

     - Programs run by a study abroad organization. The only focus of such organization is a study abroad program like AbroadItaly.com. Organizations are able to arrange for everything, from helping you obtain a student visa to accommodation and excursions. 

***** What to Look For *****

     A program might have a nice glossy brochure with wonderful descriptions, but the reality could be quite different. Look at study abroad programs just as you looked at colleges when you were in high school:

     - Is the school close to a major city or is it in a rural campus? (AbroadItaly.com is in Florence)

     - What kind of students does the school attract? (AbroadItaly.com attracts college student from all over the world)

     - Are the courses offered of interested to you? 

***** Housing Options*****

     The more choices - the better. The usual options are to stay with a local family, stay on campus, or in an apartment. AbroadItaly.com offers host family and apartment options. Staying with a local family will allow you to get to know the local culture and become part of it. Your language skills will also dramatically improve. And it will take you only months to learn what takes years of learning in a classroom. 

***** Parent’s Input *****

Some parents may welcome the idea of study abroad and others may hate it. Avoid unnecessary frustration by talking with them about what you’re thinking and why you’re doing what you’re doing. In most cases they just need to feel like they’re part of your decision process. 

Assure your parents that you’re going through a program that many other students have gone on before. That you’re dealing with professionals. That you’re doing your research. And that you’ll be careful, and you’ll e-mail or call regularly. 

Now is the time to apply for Winter and Spring 09. Go to: AbroadItaly.com/apply

D. Mitrovic
Program Coordinator
www.AbroadItaly.com

Please contact us for more information.