Study Abroad Tip: How to Succeed in Your Application
If you’re thinking about studying abroad, it’s never too early to start planning—even as a freshman! (A huge congrats to the Class of 2030 for getting into your colleges and universities!). Keep in mind that study abroad applications usually open a semester or two in advance (or about two quarters ahead if your school is on the quarter system). You’ll need to jump on things early to figure out your dream program and get your materials ready.
Basics of Study Abroad: What Is It?
Studying abroad means taking classes and engaging in your education in a foreign country. The biggest difference between studying domestically and going abroad is the unfamiliar environment. You’ll be navigating a completely new culture, language, food, and society.
How is it different from just traveling?
You are much more than a tourist! Instead of just hitting the main sightseeing spots, you’ll actually be enrolled at an institution abroad. You’ll adapt to a new academic environment, live there long-term, and truly experience daily life in another country.
Why should you do it? What are the benefits?
- Broaden your perspective: Immersing yourself in new languages, cultures, and backgrounds gives you incredible exposure to fresh ideas.
- Build independence: It forces you to step out of your comfort zone and navigate an entirely new setting without your usual support system. You’ll learn so much about yourself and what you’re truly capable of.
- Experiential learning: Whether you absolutely love every second or face some challenges, it’s a unique opportunity to learn on the go and see the world through a completely different lens.
- Unbeatable opportunities: Even though it’s more than just a vacation, you will have amazing opportunities to travel. If you study in South Korea, for example, you can easily explore Seoul, Busan, Jeonju, and Gyeongju, or take quick weekend trips to Japan, China, or Taiwan. Flights between neighboring countries are way cheaper than flying out from the US!
Debunking Common Study Abroad Misconceptions
“Studying abroad is too expensive.” – With proper budgeting and scholarships, studying abroad can actually be more affordable than you think! The key is to start planning early so you can explore all your financial options.
“It’s a waste of time and will delay my graduation.” – Look, if you don’t plan ahead or meet with an advisor, you could risk missing out on credit transfers. But ask any study abroad alum or returnee, and they’ll tell you it was one of the best decisions they ever made. Years after graduation, you might barely remember the specific classes you took on campus, but you will always remember the adventure of studying abroad. It adds so much flavor to your college experience and gives you a unique story to tell. Who knows—you might love it so much you end up doing a second program!
“It’s overrated; I can just travel normally.” – How can an unforgettable, life-changing experience be overrated? The world is so much bigger than your current circle. Taking this chance allows you to learn how things work outside your home country and experience the pros and cons of living internationally firsthand.
*Here’s a Study Abroad Vision Board for your reference to keep you inspired to navigate the world in a different lens.
Let’s Get to Work: Navigating the Process
Before Your First Advising Session
Think of your study abroad advising appointment like a doctor’s visit—it goes a lot smoother if you prepare your details in advance! Here is a handy checklist template you can fill out and send to your advisor ahead of time:
- Name & Student Level:
- Major:
- Current Credits / Progress to Graduation:
- Transcript: (To double-check your GPA and completed classes)
- Location Preferences: (Select up to 3, or write “flexible”)
- Programs of Interest: (List 3 or more)
- Financial Aid / Budget Preference:
- Scholarship Interest: (Yes / No)
- Preferred Term/Timeline: (Summer, Semester, Year)
- Do you have a valid US passport?
- Prior travel experience: (If yes, where?)
- Top 2–3 questions you have for the session:
- Other comments:
💡 Quick Tip: While you don’t technically need to see your major advisor first (since the study abroad office coordinates credit transfers), it’s smart to check in with them early to see which major or general education (GE) requirements you have left.
During the Advising Session
Once you’re in the meeting, try to make the most of it! Ask plenty of questions to clarify the program details and make sure the timeline works for you.
Moving forward, your main priorities are keeping your GPA up to meet program requirements and making sure your passport is ready. Check your passport expiration date: if it expires within 6 months of your program’s start or end date, go ahead and renew it now to avoid logistics delays.
If funding is a primary concern, communicate early with both your study abroad advisor and financial aid counselor to see how your package applies to program fees. You’ll need to budget ahead for out-of-pocket expenses like airfare, daily transportation, housing, and personal spending. Utilizing a standard budgeting form can really help clarify these numbers.
Scholarships
Your advisor will hand you a list of scholarship resources to explore. Some are highly competitive, so make sure to read the eligibility requirements carefully. Most will require a minimum GPA and a solid personal statement explaining why you chose your specific destination.
Because personal statements are so critical, definitely utilize your campus writing center! While a writing tutor can help you polish your grammar, flow, and structure, remember that this is your story to tell. Use your authentic voice and get creative with your storytelling to stand out to the readers.
- Notable Scholarships to check out: Freeman, Fulbright, Boren, and Gilman. The Gilman scholarship can sometimes feel a bit less competitive because they select a larger pool of candidates, but your best bet is to apply to as many as possible to increase your odds! You can see the full list of scholarships here for reference.
💡 Pro-Tips for Picking the Perfect Fit
If you ask me what is the best or perfect program, there is no single “correct” answer for which program is best; it’s all about what aligns with your goals.
- My Experience: Personally, I chose a program in Beijing, China, because I double-majored in Chinese and International Relations. Beijing is renowned as one of the best places to master standard Mandarin while meeting people from all over China and the world. Plus, as the capital city, its political science and international relations courses—especially at top-tier schools like Peking University and Tsinghua University—are top-notch.
- Match by Specialization: If you are an engineering or STEM major, look for international universities that excel in those fields first, and then look at the location.
- Pivot if Needed: It works both ways. If you want to go to China but aren’t interested in intensive language study and prefer business or tech, Shanghai might be a better match than Beijing. Likewise, if you really want to go to France but they don’t offer courses that fit your major, you can pivot to a program in the UK or Italy, and just use your free time to visit France!
Next Steps
If you’re ready to commit and want to head out next semester (or two quarters from now), follow up with your advisor to grab the exact document checklist. Generally, you can expect to submit:
- An official or unofficial transcript
- A personal statement
- The institutional study abroad application
- A preliminary study plan (either before or right after acceptance)
Once you submit, keep a hawk-eye on your email over the next few months. Missing an update about your application status, acceptance, or pre-departure logistics can cause major headaches. Read everything carefully!
🌟 Bonus FAQs & Reminders
- Can Graduate Students Go? If you are an undergrad looking to transition straight into graduate studies at your home university, you can absolutely still consult your study abroad advisor early to see what global options are available for grad students. Just keep an eye on changing course requirements.
- When is the best time to go? Most students go during their sophomore or junior year. Many argue that junior year is the sweet spot because it gives you two full years to get adjusted to college life and academics at home. Senior year is doable, but it depends entirely on your remaining major requirements. Some engineering tracks actually encourage later programs. Just note that studying abroad as a senior carries the risk of delaying graduation or missing deadlines, so monitor your degree progress closely.
- Semester vs. Summer vs. Full Year? This comes down to how immersive you want your experience to be. A full year sounds daunting to some because they worry about missing friends or campus events. Because of that, a lot of students opt for a single semester or a summer term, which offers great flexibility to earn credits and have fun before returning home.
- A Final Reality Check: Don’t forget that academics come first—it’s called study abroad for a reason, not just a vacation! Missing too many classes or violating academic integrity codes can result in failing grades or even being expelled from the program.
Conclusion
I hope these tips help simplify the launch of your study abroad journey! I did my best to streamline the basics while keeping the essential details intact so you feel fully informed.
Let me know if you have any questions, and see you in the next issue of East & Weast
Best,
Mason
East & Weast