Have You Considered Studying Abroad?
By Taylor M. Beam
Have you considered studying abroad? The thought may have crossed your mind, but the task seems impossible or too big to accomplish. The UAF Study Away Office is the perfect place to get your foot in the door with any questions you may have. As I tell you about my experiences abroad, don’t be afraid to explore your options and reach out to the UAF Office Study Away with any questions you may have.
Fortunately, I could study abroad twice through the Study Away Program without ever dropping my UAF enrollment. I could pick each of my courses abroad, and all twelve credits each semester applied to my degree. In the fall of 2022, I attended the American University of Rome in Rome, Italy, where I took classes taught in English. In the fall of 2023, I attended the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, where I attended classes taught in both English and Spanish. Most students immediately write off an exchange program simply because they don’t know the language. Yet, hundreds of English-taught programs have several resources for incoming students. Depending on your comfort level, different programs are available that vary in both support levels and outreach. Students can participate in homestay, independent housing, university housing, or program housing (typically an apartment with other international students). You can genuinely mold the experience to fit your needs as a student and a traveler.
Programs vary widely in location, characteristics, and amenities. European study abroad programs, the ones I am the most familiar with, offer cheap weekend travel via air or railway and unlimited day trip opportunities. If studying abroad with one of UAF’s affiliated third-party program providers - which charge an all-inclusive fee covering housing, tuition, excursions, and often visa support processes - several day trip opportunities will also be provided. During my semester abroad in Rome through one of the larger organizations, International Studies Abroad, I visited Capri, Sorrento, Pompei, the Tuscany Wine Region, and Florence, all around Italy, with transportation provided entirely by my host university. Some meals were provided as well, typically breakfast. All I had to do was show up at a set place during a set time, and the rest was taken care of by the onsite staff provided by my program. A program also offers insurance and twenty-four-hour support if any incident happens, big or small. I never once felt unsafe or that my needs could not be met.
One of the main questions students ask regarding exchange is, “Where will I live?” During both programs, I stayed in program-sponsored housing with other American students. In Rome and Barcelona, my apartments were in the city center, where I could walk or take public transportation to meet all my everyday needs. I often chose to walk in Rome, but I much preferred Barcelona’s extensive and clean underground metro system. As a student and a traveler, I quickly became familiar with and comfortable in my big city routine, and something that seemed so daunting at first became an opportunity to triumph over a previous fear. Challenges come with any cultural changes, but I felt well-supported by my home and host university and fellow students, and I gained lifelong friendships and fantastic networking opportunities. Both European universities I attended were well-connected to employers and companies abroad. I met several resident students who had studied abroad and transferred to the university full-time because they had such a wonderful experience.
Meeting people from all over the world, traveling cheaply on the weekends, learning a new language, and irresistible food and coffee all enrich the study away experience. However, the cost factor often deters students from such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and understandably so. Once again, the Study Away Office has more in-depth information on finance and scholarships, as each experience and program choice will differ. I was able to use UAF scholarships and apply them to the final cost of my program. Student loans are offered in most scenarios, depending on your financial situation, grants, and other scholarships. My first piece of advice would be not to feel as though you have to figure out every piece of the process all at once. It is a lengthy but educational process regarding exchange, and UAF is here to support you every step of the way. Keep the details from getting you down, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!
Please reach out or visit the Study Away Office soon to move to the new Student Success Center on the 6th floor of the Rasmuson Library. There are hundreds of programs and locations available to students. Don’t forget to check out the Study Away website at https://www.uaf.edu/studyaway/. They offer a Study Away Coffee Hour (welcome to all) every Tuesday in Arctic Java from 1-3 pm during the fall and spring semesters. Please drop by if you are interested or have any questions at all.
Photo by Taylor M. Beam
Photo by Taylor M. Beam