In today’s blog, I’ll be talking with Aubree Compton, an Advisor & Program Coordinator from the University of Iowa’s Study Abroad office who will be giving us the “inside scoop” on the benefits of going abroad, places you can study, and how to make it affordable!
Most first-year students show up to campus bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to tackle a new adventure with all the new-found freedom that college offers.
From the moment you step on campus, you’ll realize there are SO many opportunities available to students looking to try something new.
However, some opportunities require more planning and thought than others. It doesn’t take too much effort to sit in on a student organization meeting or check out an event that’s within walking distance of your dorm, but what about studying abroad?
Studying abroad is a big commitment, but with the proper guidance and planning, you can make your study abroad dreams a reality.
Why should I study abroad?
There are many reasons why you should look into this once in a lifetime opportunity, according to Aubree.
“Aside from an amazing educational opportunity, students develop skills which are attractive to employers – such as working with people from diverse backgrounds, handling ambiguous situations, and gaining self-confidence as well as interpersonal skills,” she says.
Where can I go?
There are quite a few options on where to go, what to study, how long and when to go. Aubrey tells us that the most popular programs include Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and India. Students can study over their winter break, an entire academic year, over the summer, or either semesters.
Iowa offers 168 sponsored programs around the world for students to study. Check out the Study Abroad Office’s interactive database to explore programs based on location and major interest.
If there’s a specific university where you’d like to study and Iowa doesn’t currently offer a program there, the UI Study Abroad Office will work with you to make sure your classes transfer appropriately.
This is partially why students should meet with someone like Aubree in advance to talk about options and necessary steps.
What about scholarships?
If a student studies abroad through an Iowa-sponsored program, any merit-based scholarships will still be applied and deducted from their University Bill which helps studying abroad more affordable. There are also a number of specific study abroad scholarships for which students can apply! Studying abroad has become more and more popular not only at the University of Iowa, but across the country for students.
SO, long story short: no matter which school you end up attending it’s always a good idea to look into the opportunities that you have as a student. Learn about Iowa’s study abroad programs on their website before becoming a student! And although I’d love to study abroad now, I doubt my boss will let me take three months off from work to vacation overseas!
Where can I find more information?
Contact someone directly in the Study Abroad Office
Kelsey Anderson
Assistant Director for Prospect Development
The University of Iowa
Office of Admissions
