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Studying Abroad Overview
What is study abroad?
In theory, study abroad is exactly what it sounds like. You are taking classes in another country. However, in my experience the term can be heightened to include a larger spectrum. Studying abroad affords people the opportunity to study specific things that they might not 
have access to at home. For example, a PhD anthropology student can study impacts that modern society has on the Mayan Indians in Guatemala by living studying at a university near to them. On the other hand, a student might go to spend 6 months in Germany to learn German. As with anything the definition of studying abroad can vary a bit.
What administrators will tell you
If you simply do a search on’why you should study abroad‘, you would likely get answer after answer of how great it is. Administrators and friends will tell you that it will make you more employable or more worldly. They will even say that it makes you a better critical thinker. Truthfully, studying abroad can be a great learning experience, but so is traveling in general. Do not feel that you have to study abroad just because someone tells you these things. If you are going to do it, then do it for yourself.
What is it like to study abroad?
The experience one gets from studying abroad varies tremendously depending on the person. I have met people who tried very hard to make the most of their experience and took advantage of what it can offer. At the same time, I have met others that wasted it. 
Studying abroad gives you an opportunity to see how other people do things. You are exposed to school a different language or culture, and will learn that other people have different approaches to fixing the same problems. Your experience will change depending on the place, program, and time period that you choose. It will also depend on you. Yes, you. The only person that can take advantage of a situation is the person given the opportunity to do so.
Realistic expectations for studying abroad
I have met far too many people who set unrealistic expectations for studying abroad. For example, they expect to learn French in Paris, but live and go out with English-speaking people. You are not 
going to get the most from your experience if you do not push yourself. Additionally, you have to realize that the amount of time you choose and place that you choose will affect your outcome as well. Let’s say that you want to learn Spanish and you decide to go to Barcelona for a month. Well, that would not be the best decision. Barcelona is an amazing city and you will have a great time, but the first language of Barcelona is Catalan, not Spanish. Also, a month is not nearly enough time to get any real language training (unless you are in a rigorous immersion course).
It is my experience that the program in which you choose is also somewhat indicative of your outcome. I tend to steer away from suggesting a short-term study abroad program. The reason is that you pay at least half (if not more) of the cost of a full semester or year-long program and you get a watered down experience. In these programs you are typically paired with people from your university or region and sent to study with professors that travel with you, not foreign professors. Therefore, you are spending a lot of money to take the same, or similar classes, in another country. Obviously, the major difference is that you get to see a few new things.
Therefore, do some thinking about your investment before you jump in head first. What are your goals in the first place? Is the program that you are looking into really going to benefit you? Ask yourself these and more questions before diving in.
A tip that I have learned, is that it is not always the best idea to talk to program directors or the study abroad offices until you have a clear picture of what the programs are like. Talk to people who have participated in your program or others before to get their tips and suggestions. Perhaps, you will find that a program is not suited for you where another would be better.
How much does it cost to study abroad?
Studying abroad is not cheap. No one should tell you otherwise. There are some ways to get around the heavy expenses, but most programs will charge for many things. To get an idea, a semester long program will likely cost anywhere from $10,000-15,000. Sure the program might say $7,500 or even less, but you need to realize that they are not factoring in flights, meals, partying, or other ‘non-related fees’. Let’s say that you decide to travel after your studies have finished. Although, your flight is already paid for; you will still have more fees.
I have met countless people who ended up spending in excess of $15,000-20,000 studying abroad for a semester or a year. Then, I have met others that were able to use scholarships to cover their costs. Just think about it.
Are there cheaper ways to study abroad?
To realize why study abroad programs are so expensive, you have to realize what the programs are offering. In many ways, you are paying for a convenience. That is it. You are paying a convenience charge to the program company for making all the necessary connections and doing all the ground work. Therefore, it makes your life easier. Keeping this notion in mind, you have a few options to look into.
Option 1: As I mentioned before, some people get scholarships for studying abroad, which can help to ease the financial burden of studying abroad. Other universities offer reciprocal exchange programs. You should look into these if you are interested. These programs are for universities that have bi-lateral agreements with other universities. This means that you are concurrently enrolled in both universities, and you are paying only full-time tuition at your home institution.
Option 2: Another way is to create your own program. This is not the easiest route, but if you have some drive and do not mind doing some work, then it can benefit you greatly. For this option, you need to apply to the universities that you want to study at, then find courses that will transfer back. After that, you will need to confirm with your home university that they will accept which courses you wish to take. Next, you will have to establish your concurrent enrollment, which would enable you to take an absence during your semester. Some universities have Co-Ops, which could help you in this case. Basically, you will have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy and waiting time. Be ready to be told no at least once.
Option 3: Attend a university abroad as a full-time student. I think that very few people realize just how far you can go to attend school. There are even some countries around the world where education is free. This option gives you the best of both worlds. Moreover, you get the opportunity to really experience another place. This could be a great option for those looking to perfect language skills or their understanding of a foreign culture. The catch to this option is that you have to be able to support yourself (accommodation and food), and you will not likely be able to get permission to work.
The choice is yours, but I did not want you to think that you were not able to do something or feel confined to the way that everyone else does it.
Who studies abroad?
As one would expect, there is variety in the people who study abroad. People study for different reasons. Some study for language, some for research, some for experience, and yes 
some for partying. You goals of studying abroad might be different than other people in your program. On the same note, your program’s goals, might be different from yours. It is to your benefit to select a program that best suits your needs.
Conclusion
Studying abroad can be a great opportunity to gain valuable life experiences. It can grant someone who ability to see things in a different light, and make them more adaptable in whatever new situations that life presents. At the same time, study abroad programs can offer less value for what they preach. They can be expensive, bureaucratic, and sheltering. You should do thorough research of programs to decide if studying abroad is right for you. Look on the bright side, if you do not study abroad, then you can use the money to travel at a later date.
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