Studying Abroad: Should You Go Your First or Second Semester?

If you're in college, and you're a sophomore, you're probably thinking about studying abroad for you junior year. Studying abroad can be an amazing, enlightening, eye-opening experience through exposure to different cultures, people, places and countries. The classes that one takes abroad are arguably secondary to the learning experience received by living in another country. Whether to study abroad is a no-brainer. The question is: Do you do it first or second semester?

Full Year

Before that is sorted out, let us consider the other option: studying abroad for a full year. This may result in the most satisfying study abroad experience. Many students who study abroad that I've spoken to say that it takes about a full semester to adjust to life in another country and classes in another university. Studying abroad for an entire year would foster greater sense of living in another country because it would be for an extended period of time, allowing the student to not only learn the ins and outs of the university, but the community, neighborhood, city and general lifestyles of their chosen country. It is much easier to feel like a local after a year of life in another country than after a 4-month visit.

First or Second?

A full year abroad might be the most desirable situation, but it is not always the most feasible; a single term is more realistic in terms of financial issues and major requirements. The question is which semester to go abroad. Consider the individual experience of your school. Find out if classes might be easier or harder at your desired study abroad school. Which semester at your university is easier? You might want to spend the easier semester at your school and go away for the more difficult semester. Another issue to consider is weather. Where is your university? Ideally, you'd want to study abroad in the nicest weather possible and return to your university for the most enjoyable weather. For instance, I attend college in New England, where the winters are cold and dreary; weather conditions are subject to change from bad to worse at any moment. The New England saying goes: "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes." I would hate to study abroad first semester, spend a lovely fall in Italy, and return to spend my second semester in a rainy, cold, hailing, sleeting New England.

Leaving your home and university is exhilarating, but you do leave some things behind. Friends you have made at college will probably not travel abroad with you. Typically college students find that the spring (second) semester is more fun. Students are more social then because they have a better feel for their work responsibilities, and the good weather and promise of summer seems to put everyone in generally good moods.

In order to determine which semester to study abroad, you must consider the aspects of your college year that are important to you. Write out the pros and cons for each semester. Ask friends what they are deciding and why. Try to make an informed decision by finding out the details in the differences for the semesters for your particular program. Either way, have an amazing time studying abroad!