Chad Said:

How does study abroad program work for college students?

We Answered:

I strongly recommend anyone to enroll in a study abroad program. Normally, such program is offered through the University that you attend. I don't really know the information for Washington University, but you contact your guidance counselor regarding that. Also, if you receive financial aid, this program can be paid through financial aid and some Universities offer scholarships for a summer study abroad. You can also receive credit towards your major classes or electives if the program falls within your academic curriculum. Overall, I believe it is a great program to do and you might also consider Peace corps after college. Visit www.peacecorps.org and the Department of State for student internships abroad.

Good Luck!!!

Nina Said:

Are there any US colleges that have study abroad programs in Russia? Particularly for language students?

We Answered:

Check out www.sras.org, the School of Russian and Asian Studies.

Dolores Said:

Are there foreign exchange programs with host families for college students?

We Answered:

I strongly suspect that there are, but I think you will be limited by what's available through the university that you normally attend.

Judy Said:

Will study abroad programs look good on my college application?

We Answered:

It will help you with college -- It will be something great to put on your resume!

You're lucky, I have always wanted to travel the world but can't afford it, but I'm looking for some smaller study abroad trips for winter or summer :)

Salvador Said:

does anyone know of any colleges/universities in the US that have really good study abroad programs?

We Answered:

I think it depends on where you want to study abroad. I went to SUNY New Paltz, and went abroad to Nagasaki, Japan. These programs are a bit more advanced than some others, in that they require your to have some knowledge of the language of the country you are about to travel to. You also need letters of maturity and recommendations. The staff itself is knowledgable and well traveled. The financial aid and grant packages are amazing. I'd recommend it, as an alumni.

Maria Said:

benefits of study abroad program for high school students?

We Answered:

I studied abroad in Spain in June 2008, the summer after my sophomore year. I went to the University of Salamanca for 2 weeks. (Short time, I know, but that was just a little part of the fabulous 3 1/2 week-long trip!) I had the most amazing experience of my life. I really stepped outside of my box, too. I hate to admit it, but I was always a little snobby. I never, in a million years, would have thought myself to be someone who would stay with a host family... and like it. Love it, actually. It really made me more down to earth. However, I was fortunate enough to have my best friend of about 12 years on the same trip as me, living in the same home.

I found out more things about myself during that time than possibly in my entire life. I found out what I really love, what really annoys me, and what I want to do with my future. I found out I'm fascinated by foreign languages, particularly "romance languages" such as Spanish (of course), French, and Portuguese. When I returned home mid-summer, I immediately went to my school's registrar and changed my schedule for my junior year. I dropped psychology, and signed up for first year French. Of course, I am still taking Spanish, too, as I hope to be fluent someday! (Getting close!) This is kind of broad--but I learned a lot of things in my classes at the university about Spanish culture and history and European and Spanish geography.

You also might discover that you aren't quite as picky of an eater as you may have thought, and wanting to be polite to the host family can sometimes completely numb your taste buds.

I've always known that traveling is probably my favorite thing to do. However, I never thought I'd go to somewhere like Spain. I've always just liked to travel to different beaches (been to 14 Caribbean islands, many places in Mexico many times, and Hawaii a couple of times.) Now I am so open to going to other places. Like I'd love more than anything to go to South America, Australia, Japan, etc., and of course, more of Europe! Thus, my mind has been made up that I will major in international business. I am hoping to study abroad in Spain for an academic year of college, and maybe a semester in France as well. We'll have to wait and see, though!

Now, convincing your parents. I suppose... you could show them this! Ok, just kidding. Well, my parents paid for my entire trip. It was about $4500, which included multiple destinations in Spain and a weekend in Lisbon, Portugal. They also gave me money for some meals that weren't included. They told me I had to save all of my own souvenir money, so I saved $1000 on my own from working at a local Chinese restaurant. The trip was, in a sense, priceless, though. I got way more out of it than the $5500 put into it. I learned so much about the world and myself. My older sister went on a trip to Europe through school also, but she didn't go to a university or anything like that. My parents do everything pretty equally, so basically, she got a Europe trip in high school, I got a Europe trip in high school. I brought home the Spain information, and they thought about it for about a week, and they decided I could go!

Benefits for college, though... hmm. Besides the fact that you may get some college elective credits from classes you take abroad, well, honestly, studying abroad probably isn't going to be the deciding factor of accepted or rejected. It does look nice on your application, though. Shows you are fairly well-rounded and know about other parts of the world. But I mean, don't study abroad so you can write "Summer Abroad Program 2009" on your app. Study abroad to have an unforgettable life experience. Study abroad to learn something about yourself and others. Study abroad because you WANT to.

Good luck! I really hope you decide to study abroad!

Frederick Said:

Does anyone know a student exchange or study abroad program for a Filipina to go to college in the US?

We Answered:

Marry her,
The college I went to had people from many countries but its hard for a Philippine to come here that way because there schools are equal or better then ours in that field and most. This is what I was told by the Filipino who runs that kind of visa program at my school. Our government always makes it hard for our allies to come here. Now if she was from Iraq, Iran or Samolia then it would be no problem.