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Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Study Abroad Program

• Why would you like to study abroad?
  • Travel?
  • Learn a language?
  • Experience another culture?
  • Obtain professional skills?
• What would you like to achieve through a study abroad experience?
  • Increased language skills?
  • Learning about another culture or way of life?
  • Taking courses that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to take here?
  • Taking courses related to your major or minor or combination of both?
• Where would you like to study?
  • What region of the world interests you?
  • What country have you always wanted to visit?
• How long would you like to be abroad (one week, semester, year)?
• Would you like to learn a language?
  • Do you want a total language immersion or do you just want to learn the basics?
• What is your current foreign language ability?
• How well do you adjust to new situations?
• Would you like to live in a city or a small town or village?
• What would you like to study?
  • Would you like to take courses toward your major (if possible)?
  • Would you like to take electives?
  • Would you like to take general education credits?
  • Would you like to take classes to fulfill a minor?
• When would you like to go abroad (summer, spring, fall)?
• How will you pay for your study abroad experience?
  • Do you have scholarships?
  • Do you have financial aid?
  • Can you apply for additional scholarships or financial aid?
• Would you like to take classes in English or in a foreign language?
• Do you meet the requirements for studying abroad (i.e. G.P.A. and class standing)?
  • If not, can you reach the necessary requirements by the time you want to apply?
• Would you like to live with a host family or in an apartment or residence hall?
• Would you like to study with other Americans or would you prefer to study with students from all over the world?
• Do you want to study abroad with people from your own age group or with people from all age categories?
• Do you want to participate in a program that is more structured, with planned field trips and excursions, or would you prefer a program that allows you more freedom to travel on your own?

Discover Where Your Next Adventure Will Take You!

Visit the Office of Education Abroad

Penn State Altoona

W120 Smith Building

814-949-5282

PDF Version of Questions

Copyright © 2008 Penn State Altoona; Office of Education Abroad Mandy Reinig, Education Abroad Advisor, W120C Smith Building 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601 Phone: (814) 949-5335; E-mail: ARR14@psu.edu Site Index | Faculty & Staff Directory | Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright

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