Study abroad for first semester freshman — downside

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a huge fan of study abroad at a variety of ages ( I spent my junior year of HS abroad and my dd spent her senior year of HS - so I have no concerns about an 18 yo being too young.) That said, these
"we'll take you if you go abroad first" college offers seem to be about maximizing college volume at the expense of the student experience, and given what you may be paying that sounds not ideal. If its the school your kid is dying to go to and that's what will get them there - well it will probably be fine. But it's a weird time to go off in the world and then come back and THEN start your college experience. So I'd only feel good about it if the school were really otherwise the only good fit for kid.

Study abroad for high school students normally have a much shorter leash (i.e. more supervision) that in college.

Like for high school, doesn't the student usually live with a family?

I know someone overseas now (in college) who lives an hour away from his classes, in off campus housing. Very different than going with the French club in high school.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 friends who went through this last year with their kids. One did it because it was William and Mary, their dream school and what they could afford, the best possible option and worth this weird start. They had a decent sized cohort, a great experience and transitioned fine in the spring, especially having this built in group of friends. The other was out of state, also took it because it was their dream school, but had never been abroad. That kid struggled and my friend (the mom) had to go to London mid semester because the students was losing it. She wasn't ready for that. Maybe she would have struggled on campus, too. But being abroad was too much too fast. They regret it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a huge fan of study abroad at a variety of ages ( I spent my junior year of HS abroad and my dd spent her senior year of HS - so I have no concerns about an 18 yo being too young.) That said, these
"we'll take you if you go abroad first" college offers seem to be about maximizing college volume at the expense of the student experience, and given what you may be paying that sounds not ideal. If its the school your kid is dying to go to and that's what will get them there - well it will probably be fine. But it's a weird time to go off in the world and then come back and THEN start your college experience. So I'd only feel good about it if the school were really otherwise the only good fit for kid.

Study abroad for high school students normally have a much shorter leash (i.e. more supervision) that in college.

Like for high school, doesn't the student usually live with a family?

I know someone overseas now (in college) who lives an hour away from his classes, in off campus housing. Very different than going with the French club in high school.

No, not unless you seek out a program that lives with a family. Most programs are living in dorms or in group houses/apartments. My program in London through Boston University had 4 students living in a BU owned 2-BR flat in Kensington (one floor of a row house). We only saw adults when we went to class or when we went to our jobs (it was an internship program). There was essentially no adult oversight or guidance. Furthermore, our flat was the only one in that row house - in fact - I don't remember there being others even on our street. I was a 21 yr old free in London (and it was great). I had more influence from co-workers at my job who invited me to events than I had from BU. We took weekend trips and a trip during Fall break - all organized by groups of students. Not by BU.

[Anonymous]

DS did it. His core friends at school are the ones he met abroad. He's not super-social, though (e.g., not interested in a fraternity or sporting events). For him, it was the right choice. But, yeah, the downside is that you aren't there first semester. I would think the smaller the school, the harder it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a huge fan of study abroad at a variety of ages ( I spent my junior year of HS abroad and my dd spent her senior year of HS - so I have no concerns about an 18 yo being too young.) That said, these
"we'll take you if you go abroad first" college offers seem to be about maximizing college volume at the expense of the student experience, and given what you may be paying that sounds not ideal. If its the school your kid is dying to go to and that's what will get them there - well it will probably be fine. But it's a weird time to go off in the world and then come back and THEN start your college experience. So I'd only feel good about it if the school were really otherwise the only good fit for kid.

Study abroad for high school students normally have a much shorter leash (i.e. more supervision) that in college.

Like for high school, doesn't the student usually live with a family?

I know someone overseas now (in college) who lives an hour away from his classes, in off campus housing. Very different than going with the French club in high school.

Ya i mean study abroad in HS is usually a semester or year, not the French club spring break trip. But yes, to your point, more common to live with a host family than in a dorm. I was responding to concerns that 18 yo were "too young" to be so far from home. I disagree with that as a general statement, though some are surely not ready for that kind of independence. Still I'm not in favor of this study abroad first semester of college for other reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a huge fan of study abroad at a variety of ages ( I spent my junior year of HS abroad and my dd spent her senior year of HS - so I have no concerns about an 18 yo being too young.) That said, these
"we'll take you if you go abroad first" college offers seem to be about maximizing college volume at the expense of the student experience, and given what you may be paying that sounds not ideal. If its the school your kid is dying to go to and that's what will get them there - well it will probably be fine. But it's a weird time to go off in the world and then come back and THEN start your college experience. So I'd only feel good about it if the school were really otherwise the only good fit for kid.

THIS^^^^

Think long and hard about whether this would be the best experience for your kid. Adjusting to college life/being away from home and having to make new friends all at once can be challenging even for the most well adjusted kids. So unless your kid is immediately excited about this and has the right personality, seriously consider if this is the best choice for your kid. Because yes, reintegrating onto a campus when all the other freshman already built friend groups can be challenging. It can work out if your kid finds their friends in the "overseas group", but if not they might have a really hard time finding their group once back spring semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of this a lot at Northeastern. I think they don't have enough dorm space. As the parent of a senior, I would not want him to go abroad his 1st semester. As someone said above, he would miss all the beginning of college "stuff". I also know a kid who did this at William and Mary and when he came back, he was put in a suite with juniors or seniors. It was not a good fit for obvious reasons, and he ended up moving rooms.

As far as NEU, yes, this happens to many. About 50% of kids end up (this year and past years) in the off campus hotel with other "Study abroad /NUIn kids", 25% in dorm rooms and 25% in campus "apartments". Those not in the Hotel, are just assigned wherever there is space---that means most likely they are a singleton in a random space, it could be any age/year in college. You don't get to select where you end up===university just assigns you and you are stuck. It is definately not a typical first year experience at all. I personally would not want my 18 yo freshman to come back from a semester abroad and be put into housing with juniors or seniors, heck even sophomores. Those people already have their friends groups---and most kids that age are not really looking to include a newbie freshman into their friend group--because they really have nothing in common.

So really think whether this is the first year experience that would be best suited for your student. Or if another one of their acceptances might just be an overall better fit.

[Anonymous]

Shit ton of kids transfer in after 1 year or 2 year form other colleges or form community colleges.

All depends on other options and the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of this a lot at Northeastern. I think they don't have enough dorm space. As the parent of a senior, I would not want him to go abroad his 1st semester. As someone said above, he would miss all the beginning of college "stuff". I also know a kid who did this at William and Mary and when he came back, he was put in a suite with juniors or seniors. It was not a good fit for obvious reasons, and he ended up moving rooms.

As far as NEU, yes, this happens to many. About 50% of kids end up (this year and past years) in the off campus hotel with other "Study abroad /NUIn kids", 25% in dorm rooms and 25% in campus "apartments". Those not in the Hotel, are just assigned wherever there is space---that means most likely they are a singleton in a random space, it could be any age/year in college. You don't get to select where you end up===university just assigns you and you are stuck. It is definately not a typical first year experience at all. I personally would not want my 18 yo freshman to come back from a semester abroad and be put into housing with juniors or seniors, heck even sophomores. Those people already have their friends groups---and most kids that age are not really looking to include a newbie freshman into their friend group--because they really have nothing in common.

So really think whether this is the first year experience that would be best suited for your student. Or if another one of their acceptances might just be an overall better fit.

I believe the 5 star hotel arrangement was due to Covid situation.
The kids who were supposed to go to overseas were stuck in Boston, hence the hotel accommodation.
The hotel was 3 subway stations away.

[Anonymous]

I think you have to take a good look at how the school integrates the kids when they get on campus. Some schools, like Middlebury, have a long established program for kids entering in February and have a long orientation. Others just throw them in.
I tend to have less of a problem with the schools that just accept you for second semester than with those that insist the student goes to one of their abroad programs.

[Anonymous]

Friend's son did it in Italy at NEU last year. Made a group of tight friends (25 of them?), that they kept up when they returned in the Spring.

[Anonymous]

It’s Northeastern probably.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s Northeastern probably.

Or UVA
https://college.as.virginia.edu/uvalondonfirst

or many other schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a huge fan of study abroad at a variety of ages ( I spent my junior year of HS abroad and my dd spent her senior year of HS - so I have no concerns about an 18 yo being too young.) That said, these
"we'll take you if you go abroad first" college offers seem to be about maximizing college volume at the expense of the student experience, and given what you may be paying that sounds not ideal. If its the school your kid is dying to go to and that's what will get them there - well it will probably be fine. But it's a weird time to go off in the world and then come back and THEN start your college experience. So I'd only feel good about it if the school were really otherwise the only good fit for kid.

Study abroad for high school students normally have a much shorter leash (i.e. more supervision) that in college.

Like for high school, doesn't the student usually live with a family?

I know someone overseas now (in college) who lives an hour away from his classes, in off campus housing. Very different than going with the French club in high school.

No, not unless you seek out a program that lives with a family. Most programs are living in dorms or in group houses/apartments. My program in London through Boston University had 4 students living in a BU owned 2-BR flat in Kensington (one floor of a row house). We only saw adults when we went to class or when we went to our jobs (it was an internship program). There was essentially no adult oversight or guidance. Furthermore, our flat was the only one in that row house - in fact - I don't remember there being others even on our street. I was a 21 yr old free in London (and it was great). I had more influence from co-workers at my job who invited me to events than I had from BU. We took weekend trips and a trip during Fall break - all organized by groups of students. Not by BU.

But you were 21, and had already adjusted to college life and matured by junior year, you were used to living away from home, so the switch to living in a row house with just other 21 yo was not that "much more" but rather just a part of the growing up process. Huge difference than a freshman, barely 18 yo, who is used to living at home with parents. For many kids, that would be a bit too much for them to handle vs normal fall freshman year where you are with other freshman, living in a dorm, RAs and many other "adults looking out for you" environment.
I personally know neither of my 3 kids would have done well with study abroad fall of freshman year. One was offered it and immediately said No to that school and picked a better for them school (and overall a better school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard of this a lot at Northeastern. I think they don't have enough dorm space. As the parent of a senior, I would not want him to go abroad his 1st semester. As someone said above, he would miss all the beginning of college "stuff". I also know a kid who did this at William and Mary and when he came back, he was put in a suite with juniors or seniors. It was not a good fit for obvious reasons, and he ended up moving rooms.

As far as NEU, yes, this happens to many. About 50% of kids end up (this year and past years) in the off campus hotel with other "Study abroad /NUIn kids", 25% in dorm rooms and 25% in campus "apartments". Those not in the Hotel, are just assigned wherever there is space---that means most likely they are a singleton in a random space, it could be any age/year in college. You don't get to select where you end up===university just assigns you and you are stuck. It is definately not a typical first year experience at all. I personally would not want my 18 yo freshman to come back from a semester abroad and be put into housing with juniors or seniors, heck even sophomores. Those people already have their friends groups---and most kids that age are not really looking to include a newbie freshman into their friend group--because they really have nothing in common.

So really think whether this is the first year experience that would be best suited for your student. Or if another one of their acceptances might just be an overall better fit.

I believe the 5 star hotel arrangement was due to Covid situation.
The kids who were supposed to go to overseas were stuck in Boston, hence the hotel accommodation.
The hotel was 3 subway stations away.

The Hotel arrangement the one year was NUIn covid (fall 2020) when they couldn't offer abroad locations.

But last spring (spring 2022) and this spring (spring 2023), what I posted above is accurate. 50% of NUIn students end up in the hotel. Yes it's only 3 subway stations away, but that is very different from being a 5 min walk from the center of campus, and all of that 5 min walk you are ACTUALLY ON CAMPUS. And the other 50% get put randomly with any on campus housing spot with space. So you might get a buddy or another freshman in your "dorm/housing" or it might be with 3-4 NEU Juniors/Seniors. You don't know, and you can't request, you get put where they have space.

They have an overcrowding problem. Even before the overcrowding situation, majority of NUIn kids were placed in singleton spots----they are backfilling open housing spots. There never was a guarantee to live with other freshman or even one of the friends you made while in NUin studying abroad. So it is true, and definately something for parents/students to consider when they make their choices. Many, many kids would not do well with these situations at age 18. Sure they will survive and most will stick it out. But many of them might have been happier/better off at a more traditional freshman year.