Planning to Study Abroad

The key to a successful study abroad experience lies in the planning. A good starting point is to ask yourself a series of questions to help you define what you expect or want the study abroad experience to be.

Why am I doing this to begin with?
What do I want to get out of this experience?
What is the best way of getting what I want?

Additionally, consider factors such as: cost, academic needs, size of city, size of university, living arrangements etc. Knowing what you expect and want out of a study program will help you pick the study abroad option or options that best suit your needs.

Academics and Language:

Do I want to take classes with students from the host country or classes with fellow American students?
Do I want to complete major course requirements?
Do I want to take courses taught only in English? Or some courses taught in English and others in the host country's language?
Do I want to learn a new language or achieve fluency in a language?
Do I want to take courses that I could never take at the University of Scranton?
Do I want to follow an academic calendar/schedule similar to the University of Scranton?
Do I want to take classes on the history and culture of the host country?
Do I want large or small lecture classes?
Do I have special needs which may require support services while abroad?

University Life:

Do I want to live and study in a campus environment or in an urban setting?
Do I want to live with other American students, with students from the host country, with a family, or by myself?
Do I want to live on campus or am I willing to commute?
Do I want to have access to facilities that are important to me (gym, computer labs etc.)?

Financial:

What will it cost to get to my destination?
What will the cost of living be like?
What will it cost for local transportation (bus, train, taxi, streetcar, subway)?
What will it cost to travel to other cities or countries?

Type of Study Abroad Program:

Do I want to enroll directly in a foreign university?
Do I want to enroll in a study program designed specifically for American students?
Do I want to enroll in a study program that allows me to study with American students as well as students from the host country?

Once you have completed this exercise, you will have a pretty good idea of where you want to study abroad and what you want to accomplish while abroad. Your next task is to create an academic plan to ensure you will graduate on time.

The Academic Plan
Meet with your academic advisor as early as possible to create an academic plan that you will follow during the rest of your career at the University of Scranton. You will need to plan which classes you will take in Scranton and when you take them to ensure that you are able to schedule required courses in order to graduate on time.

Consult your program guide/curriculum to identify which courses you need to take at the University of Scranton, and when you need to take them. Your options for study abroad may be limited by programs that offer courses in your major or area of study.
As you develop your academic plan, you want to ideally reserve all your elective classes for possible study abroad courses. Elective credits allow you to take courses you simply won't find at the University of Scranton.
After you have developed an academic plan, meet with your advisor for her/his suggestions and recommendations.
When you have arrived at a schedule that meets with your advisors approval, meet with the Office of Global Education staff to identify a program abroad that meets your academic needs!
Print out and complete the Study Abroad Planning Worksheet.docx