It's time to take your educational journey abroad, and a study abroad program is a great way to begin. With numerous study abroad opportunities taking students worldwide for a life-changing experience, you may be wondering how you can prepare for your own experience. Thankfully, a study abroad advisor is there to help provide information and resources in preparation for any study abroad program offered at your institution.
A productive meeting with your study abroad advisor is step one to going abroad!
The study abroad questions to ask your study abroad advisor depend on your interests. Before speaking with a study abroad advisor, ask yourself what you want to gain from the experience. Are you studying abroad for research, an internship, or simply seeking language and cultural immersion? How long would you like to study abroad?
These self-reflection questions will help you identify the right questions to ask about study abroad programs.
Why prepare your study abroad questions to ask?
Preparation helps ensure that your meeting with your study abroad advisor is informative, provides valuable resources, and answers all your important questions. Start thinking of questions to ask your study advisor.
A prepared list of questions to ask will help your advisor better assist you with finding the right program. It will also help them in assisting you with the required items to participate in your program, and build your understanding of what to expect from your experience abroad.
Reading study abroad reviews or talking to past participants can help you figure out the right questions to ask.
Remember, your study abroad advisors speak with several students participating in various study abroad programs, so prepare a list of questions for a more informative and personalized meeting.
Here are 10 study abroad questions to consider asking a study abroad advisor to get you started. As you gain more insight from your meeting, you may develop more helpful questions to ask your study abroad advisor.
10 questions to ask your study abroad advisor
1. Are there specific requirements for study abroad programs?
Each study abroad program is different. Some programs may require a certain GPA, a minimum number of college credits, or a specific program of study to participate.
Your study abroad advisor should prompt you to check the expiration date on your passport. It will need to remain valid at least six months after the last day of the study abroad program, especially if you are interested in longer exchange programs. You'll also want to know if the program requires a visa or possible vaccinations.
2. What do the study abroad program costs include?
Will you need to pay for your airfare out of pocket?
Your study abroad advisor can inform you of all the program expenses and payment deadlines. In addition to your tuition and fees, the program cost may or may not include meals, airfare, accommodations, and excursions.
Know precisely what the program costs include and save for additional expenses such as shopping, public transportation, and other activities that your program may not cover during your time abroad.
3. How can I afford to go on a study abroad program?
Once you have the cost details, ask your advisor, in addition to your financial aid provider, what scholarships, grants, and other ways there are for participants to find funding for their program. Students have been known to start fundraisers, establish effective saving plans, and/or gain sponsorships to fund their experience.
When it comes to funding, get creative. And while we’re here, check out these resources to get you started:
4. Can you speak with participants of the previous study abroad experience?
In addition to your study abroad advisor, talk to participants from past study abroad programs. Those students will have a lot of insight to share with you from their first-hand experience. Students often document their experience abroad through photos, videos, and/or blogs. They can share knowledge of everything they learned and wish they had known before their travels.
5. What impact will studying abroad have on my graduation date?
This is an important question if you want to walk with your friends at commencement!
Talk to your academic advisor and a study abroad advisor to ensure that your preferred study abroad program works with your curriculum and graduation schedule. If the courses you take abroad match the courses needed for your program of study, then you should stay on track to graduate. You may even have an option to take online courses with your home institution while abroad.
6. Will the study abroad program provide health insurance?
Some study abroad programs offer a form of international health insurance. Your study advisor can educate you on what the program offers or requires you to provide regarding health coverage abroad. It's encouraged to have health insurance for the duration of your time abroad. Be sure to fully understand what your policy covers or does not cover.
On that note, discuss studying abroad with your health care provider. Inform your primary care provider of where you are going and for how long. Speak with them about any prescriptions you are currently taking and how to use or access them abroad.
7. How can I manage culture shock or homesickness?
Your study abroad advisor can inform you of cultural practices, language, and popular foods to help ease your transition into your new surroundings. Staying in contact with family and friends back home can help with homesickness, so ask your advisor about wifi access and if the program supplies a local SIM card during your stay.
Research to learn more about the country's culture and lifestyle. It helps to research how you will maneuver through a foreign place before arriving. Understanding how to handle culture shock and its various stages will help make your experience the best it can be!
8. What are the living arrangements for the study abroad program?
You may get the room with a view!
This is an excellent question to ask your advisor because the answer depends on the study abroad program. You may be assigned a college dorm where you get to live closely with local students. The program may arrange for you to stay in a guesthouse with peers or a homestay with a local family. Sharing a bedroom and bathroom with another person (or multiple people) may be necessary.
9. Can I study abroad during my last semester of college?
You might be able to study abroad during your senior year or last semester of college. However, you may need approval from your dean and/or advisor. You would also want to inquire if you will return in time for the commencement ceremony or walk in the ceremony the following semester. The decision is based on you and how you would like to spend your last semester before graduation.
10. How much free time will I have during the program?
Again, it depends on the program you choose, so this is a great question to ask your study abroad advisor. Short-term faculty-led programs usually have significantly less free time than semester-long study abroad programs, so it may come down to your program length. Go over the program itinerary with the program director to find opportunities for free time.
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Your study abroad advisor is happy to answer all your questions!
Trust us—your advisor is here to help.
Remember that you’re not alone—your advisor is with you every step of the way. Arrive prepared for your meeting, and you’ll get the most out of it. It's a good idea to take notes and keep them with your prepared list of study abroad questions. Also, save all documents and resources provided during your meeting.
Loads of questions can be asked about studying abroad, so continue to research and find the answers you need to prepare for your experience. Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience. And the more prepared you are, the easier it will be to take the leap!
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