Foreign Study Winners and Losers: 2007
There are hundreds of student exchange and study abroad programs and organized student tours available. Most programs offer a rich learning experience. However, some don't seem to measure up to their advertising claims. How do parents and students sort through the options? Please share your experience with foreign study. Was your program or tour worthwhile, or just a waste of time and money?
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IES Paris
I have to add my strong opposition to one poster's comments about IES. My IES Paris semester couldnt have been more wonderful. The staff was caring and friendly and geuniune. I miss it every single day!
Katie
Dallas, TX USA Mon 12/03/2007
Siena Study Abroad
Be careful with study abroad programs. I was unfortuanate enough to study at the new IES Siena center with the absolutely horrible director (who another girl mentions as being wonderful). Parents and Students beware, you're going to be paying thousands of dollars and need to research programs carefully. We were put into substandard housing (pipes breaking, doors not working, dusty allergy, mold), no internet despite the website claiming their would be, and a director who was there maybe 2 full weeks out of the entire 3 months. All in all, be careful - it can be a wonderful experience. As a lose I would say 100% stay away from IES Siena or IES in general. When I tried to complain they essentially they couldn't do anything and that if I wasn't happy with an apartment to go get a new one with no help from IES despite VERY unhealthy conditions.
Siena, USA Wed 11/28/2007
German study
A foreign study immersion program not in Europe is the German summer program in Taos NM. I went to Germany for three weeks but another guy I know went to Taos. With the exchange rate today I might consider Taos and hope for a better exchage rate in the future.
FTWGuy2
Ft Worth, Tx USA Mon 11/19/2007
International Summer School, Oslo
International Summer School in Oslo, Norway is great!! It's for 6 weeks and not just for college students. For example, the oldest student this past summer was 73 and the youngest 19. In this program you will meet people from around the world and really get to know other cultures and make new friends. The program also includes excursions around Norway that are included in your program fee. It's action packed and a lot of fun. Next summer will be the 62nd year. There are not just Norwegian language classes, but also some graduate programs and undergraduate programs. The program Director is also really great. He really interacts with the students, attends the events and even has lunch everyday with the students. You can tell he really cares about the program and making it quality for everyone. For more info, www.uio.no/iss.
Lori
Boulder, CO USA Tue 11/13/2007
education
www.daad.com
i highly recommend it. i wish i had done it for my bachelors. i'm a masters student in germany and i did NOT register via an american institution. in germany, education is free, well now in some states it's 500 euros a semester. but anyone from any country can study for free.
so if you go to the website that is stated above, you can type in your area of study, which level, which LANGUAGE, and also search for scholarships (living expenses) all highschool students should become aware of this great opportunity.
kirstin <email>
kiel, DE Mon 08/13/2007
Goethe-Institut in Deutschland
German study opportunities are offered by13 Goethe Institutes in Germany. I attended the Institute in Schwäbisch Hall in 2000. The teachers were excellent with morning instruction and social activities some afternoons and evenings. Classes are available for beginners on up. There were few US students at the time, with many students from the former eastern bloc, Latin America, and Asia. I took day trips each weekend. I recommend the institutes in smaller towns, as the institutes in large cities have students that work and disappear from the school as soon as class is over. There is limited socializing in the large cities.
Check the website, http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm I priced a single room and instruction for <$75 per day. Studying could be cheaper than vacationing, and probably cheaper than a course offered by US universities.
Chip
IA USA Tue 08/07/2007
Study abroad programs
I work for a very reputable and affordable academic program in Madrid every July. Anyone who is interested in learning or improving their Spanish for university credit is eligible to participate. It has been in existence for 30 years, and I am a Spanish teacher who first became involved in the program as a student. There are no hidden costs, and I have taken a number of my own students year after year. There is also a side trip to Running of the Bulls. I am an expert on Madrid and the University of Madrid, and would be happy to answer any questions or send brochures for next summer's program. My e-mail address is listed and I can provide many names of other participants who will support my statements regarding this program. Thanks!
Joanne Longobardi <email>
Englewood, Co USA Sun 07/22/2007
Working abroad is an option too
I did a program that wasn't study abroad, but rather work abroad. It's a much more cost-effective option since you earn money while you're abroad. Through BUNAC (www.bunac.org), US college students or alumni who've graduated within the last 6 months can get work visas for the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The length of time that the visa is good varies by country, but the UK is 6 months and Ireland is 4 months. I spent 6 months in early 2005 in London, working at the Natural History Museum, which is one of my favorite museums in the world. You're responsible for finding your own housing and employment, but the people who work for the program give you advice both before and after arrival about the best ways to go about doing that. Since you'll most likely be living with and working alongside local residents, you get a pretty strong cultural immersion. And did I mention how much nicer it is to pay $300 or so for a work visa instead of thousands for overseas tuition?
Lindsey <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Sat 07/07/2007
Study Abroad - a broad experience
For anyone thinking about studying abroad but wants to experience a variety of cultures (rather than live in one country) I HIGHLY recommend the Semester at Sea program through the University of Virginia. The program is not only available to current students but also adults looking for an informal continuing education experience.
Kendra
San Diego, CA USA Fri 06/29/2007
Summer study in Oslo
when I was in college, I studied for just a summer at the University of Oslo. They have an amazing international summer program. You only take one or two classes, but you meet so many people from all of the world and learn much more than you ever could in a class. they have great activites and excursions and it is all well priced.
Maggie
Seattle, WA USA Tue 05/29/2007
Study Abroad - Switzerland
Neuchatel, Switzerland has a wonderful study abroad/exchange during the summer months. It's in a great spot for traveling to other places on the weekends, and you can't go wrong living in Switzerland! Check it out through the University of Utah.
Ann
SLC, UT USA Fri 05/04/2007
Spanish classes in Spain
I am very interested in studying Spanish intensively in Spain (probably a two-week course). I am aware of several programs but am having a hard time finding feedback on any. Has anyone taken any of these courses? Any recommendations for one course over another, or one city over another? I appreciate any feedback.
Liz <email>
Hyattsville, MD USA Fri 05/04/2007
Study Abroad In France
I am looking into doing study abroad in France next summer for two months. Can anyone who has gone tell me roughly how much it cost them?
Ashley
Orem , UT USA Sun 04/29/2007
Miami University in Luxembourg
Miami University of Oxford Ohio has a wonderful program based in Luxembourg. My younger son went there in the early 90's and as a result, became a much more dynamic and enthusiastic life long learner. He traveled to 18 countries and the Vatican while there and met another Miami student and as an eventual result they have been married for 8 years and have given us two grandchildren. He and I went back to visit two summers ago and spent the day touring WW II battle sites, under the guidance of one of the local program sponsors. All in all his European study had a profound impact upon all of us.
Ken Andrews
Penfield, N.Y. USA Sun 04/15/2007
Italy Study abroad for everyone
For answers about an excellent study abroad program for college students and or adults. www.umbra-institute.com They have an excellent intensive lauguage course in conjunction with the Straniere School in Perugia along with many other accredited courses. They have a great summer course program also.
Idalee Hutson-Fish <email>
Walla Walla, WA USA Mon 04/09/2007
Study Abroad for the older student
Hi Everyone! I returned to school (age 50) after my children were grown and attended a study abroad program with Southeastern Louisiana University. This was also my first time to Europe.
It was one of the best experiences in my life! The program director chose Salzburg, Austria and it was a great choice. It is central to so many places. We went to class Monday through Thursday and were free to travel for the long weekends. It was a three week program. In that time we travelled to Vienna, all around Salzburg, Venice and Rome, Munich and the Dachau concentration camp and took a night train in a couchette to save a travel day, to Paris. I packed too much!!! I'm going on the same trip, different class, and packing lighter. I'm already mapping out the places I'll visit. Good planning is the key to a great trip. I hope you all make wonderful European memories!
Carla <email>
Mandeville, LA USA Mon 04/09/2007
Doing a semester abroad is fantastic... wish I would have thought of it when I was in college, but what about the mid 30's and older crowd that may want to spend 2 weeks, a month, or whatever time we can spare? Anyone of that demographic have any experiences or suggestions to offer? (Well, you can be younger than that if you have a program to recommend).
Erica
DuPont, WA USA Sun 04/08/2007
Salzburg College is a great experience!
I spent a semester at Salzburg College in Salzburg, Austria and it was a wonderful experience. It's a gorgeous city, and the staff/factulty are extremely fun and helpful. Classes are taught in English but students live with Austrian families. Students are also fed by the families - which is a great way to eat like the locals do. Salzburg is centrally located and we frequently took weekend trips to Paris, Italy, Prague, Budapest, etc.
I highly recommend studying abroad - for many of us, it will be the longest and most intense experience abroad.
Laura <email>
Cleveland, OH USA Mon 03/26/2007
Arts Academy in Florence
I am looking to apply to the Academia d'Arte in Florence Italy starting in November at the earliest. I'm going to Florence this spring on unrelated business, and I was going to check out the academy in person while I'm out there (it just feels safer that way). However, does anyone know of other arts academies or programs for studying music -- specifically classical voice? The program looks perfect for me from what I can tell from the website, but I feel better having a back-up plan.
Ann <email>
Washington DC, VA USA Mon 03/12/2007
FILM STUDY ABROAD
A friend my mine recently graduated from London School of Film. It's expensive but she gained a lot of contacts in both independent and mainstream cinema. She's a documentary filmmaker who was interested getting a foothold in feature length film.
COMET
LONDON, UK, USA Sun 02/04/2007
Semester in Scotland
I studied for a semester in Stirling, Scotland and it was the best semester of my life. Traveling is one thing but actually being immersed in and living in another culture is a whole different experience. It was an experience that I will remember forever and a piece of my heart will forever be with Scotland. Be careful what program you go through, however. Do a lot of research and try to talk to someone who went with that specific program. Most universities have study abroad programs and I would recommend going through a school program if you have the option. There are some programs out there that are better than others.
I went through the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University (http://www.ifsa-butler.org/)and it was an amazing program. We had a three-day orientation to help us adjust to the culture shock. They also planned two (one to the highlands of Scotland and one to York, England) trips, which were paid for with the program fee as well as a few dinners and a Caleigh. They also had an amazing support staff that helped with not only the transition to Scotland, but also the transition back to the States. Many people I met who were participating in other programs were amazed at all the Butler Program offered. I would highly recommend it. They truly care about the students and wanted to help as get as much out of the semester as we could. If you are considering studying abroad, do it. Just go. You will regret it if you do not.
Laura
Seattle, WA USA Thu 01/25/2007
Studying Film/Video Abroad?
Does anyone know of any programs to study Film/video abroad?
Right now I'm pretty open to anywhere, I'm just beginning to research my options.
I have a B.A. already in multimedia, and was now interested in studying film.
Thanks!
Rebecca <email>
Chicago, il USA Wed 01/17/2007
Foreign Study
Lynn The University of California at Berkeley EXTENSION has a wonderful summer art program in English in Paris either for credit or not. I attended this program in 1988 and loved every minute of it. The last time I noticed (maybe
last winter)Berkeley was still using the same program director and the same wonderful art professor from the University of Paris. I would think you could find more information at one of Berkeley's websites.
Jean <email>
Fort Collins, CO USA Mon 01/15/2007