Trying to decide where to study abroad and which city you want to temporarily make your home can be a daunting task. There are some questions you have to ask yourself to make your choice much easier. Here is the ultimate guide to how to decide where to study abroad in 2023-2024:
Do you want to learn a new language?
If you have any interest in learning a different language, you should definitely put those countries on the top of your list. Even if you don’t have the ambition to become fluent in the language, you will have a much easier time learning the basics of the language if you have even the slightest interest.
Do you want an English speaking country?
If learning a new language doesn’t interest you, that doesn’t mean you have to pick an English speaking country. Many people study abroad in places that don’t speak English very well and they get by just fine. If you’re sure you want an English speaking country, then you have made a big step in narrowing down where you want to study. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are not from the British Isles but a vast majority of people there speak fluent English.
What type of weather do you want?
Weather is oftentimes one of the biggest factors in where people decide to study abroad. If you don’t mind a little bit of cold weather, then then you can go anywhere but if you know you want to have warmer weather then you have to narrow your search to the southern parts of Europe.
What are you going to study?
Typically, I recommend picking the country you want to study in before looking into the programs which may seem backwards but picking the country you want to study in will narrow down your search the most. If you are a business major, you can pretty much study anywhere. Engineer and design programs are widespread as well.
How expensive is the city/country?
Expenses can be a huge factor in deciding where you want to study. Cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam will be more expensive and cities like Lisbon, Budapest, and Warsaw will be much cheaper. If the cost of living is a major factor to you, you definitely need to put it into consideration.
Cost of the programs available?
The cost to study abroad can be extremely high if you pick certain programs. Programs like CEA, IES, CIEE, and AIFS are “3rd party” study abroad providers and they typically cost more than going to a typical university (I attended CEA and it was an excellent experience).
How immersed in the culture do you want to be?
This is an important question to ask yourself because the program you choose can make a huge difference in how immersed your school will be. Many of the 3rd party programs put you in classes with only other study abroad students which still gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of new people but much less of a chance to meet foreign people. Attending a local university will provide you with a much more immersed study abroad experience.
Do you plan on traveling on the weekends?
If you plan on traveling on the weekends or on your university holidays, you might want to consider what airport is closest to where you’ll be studying. If you want to get cheap flights, then you will want to be close to a major airport. Flying in Europe especially can be extremely affordable if you are willing to wake up early to head to the airport.
What extracurricular activities will be available?
If you are into certain sports, you should check with your potential university candidates on whether they offer sports to their students. If you are really into lifting weights you should look into whether you will have access to a gym while studying there. Many schools offer discounts to local gyms but you might have to pay a lot even with the university discount.
What does your study abroad advisor say?
If you’re in college, odds are you have a study abroad office at your university. Stop by the study abroad office and just start asking questions. They will tell you what programs have worked well for students of the past and which ones your university can get you better prices on. Your university might also be partners with other European universities where you can pay your current tuition to attend the other university.
What is your gut telling you?
It can be nerve-racking deciding where you want to study because you know that the choice will completely alter your experience as a whole and the people you meet in the process. Follow your gut. Imagine yourself living and going to school there and compare that feeling to your other candidates. Don’t stress over this decision because regardless of where you choose to study, just know that it will be an incredible experience no matter where you decide to go. Your gut will ultimately help you decide where to study abroad.
My personal experience:
When I was planning my study abroad journey, I could literally imagine myself anywhere in Europe which made making a decision pretty tough. I ended up settling on Spain for the country because I knew some Spanish and wanted to learn more. Being in a major city, just because I’m from a small town and I wanted a new experience. I also wanted to be near a major airport so I could get cheaper flights. It was between Barcelona and Madrid at this point and I decided being by the sea would just be one more thing to do. Right before the deadline to finalize everything I just about switched to Madrid but I followed my gut and stayed with Barcelona which was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
