Many students think studying abroad sounds like an amazing idea but they don’t think it is something they would be able to do. Some of the things students don’t know about are ways to save money on travel expenses, the different options UW-Whitewater has available for places to go and length of time away, some of the learning experiences they can have while studying abroad, and how the experience will help them in the future.

Money is one of the biggest worries for college students, but studying abroad does not have to be ridiculously expensive. The first way students can begin saving money, is by applying for scholarships. UW-Whitewater offers a variety of different scholarships specifically for students who are planning to study abroad. The State of Wisconsin also offers a grant for students who want to study abroad. An extended list of study abroad scholarships and financial aid resources can be found at the link at the bottom of this blog.

When students think about studying abroad, their first thought is that they would be away for a semester or an entire year. This does not have to be the case. UW-Whitewater offers a variety of different program lengths and different places to go. The main kinds of travel opportunities available are exchange, faculty-led travel study, internship, or service learning. When doing an exchange program, the length is generally 1 or 2 semesters, faculty-led travel studies are 2-4 weeks long and usually occur during winterim or summer break, an internship and service learning would last the length of the internship or learning experience you apply for.

Studying abroad can feel like a nerve-racking experience. However, if you take the chance, it could be one of the most fun and enriching experiences of your college career. While traveling you get the chance to learn about different cultures, history, and foods that you may have never imagined. You will get the chance to make new friends, participate in group tours and activities, and do some of your own exploring!

While studying abroad is fun in the moment, it is also very beneficial in a student’s future career. A study abroad experience looks great on a resume and many employers love to see a diverse learning experience in future employees. It will also be a topic that can be talked about in an interview and you can tell that person how the experience impacted you!

 

Additional information about studying abroad can be found here.

http://www.uww.edu/international/globalexperiences