Semester abroad in college

[Anonymous]

What did you pay for a semester abroad in a European country? A generous uncle approached me about paying for my junior son to go abroad, but since I could never afford it I am clueless on the costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you pay for a semester abroad in a European country? A generous uncle approached me about paying for my junior son to go abroad, but since I could never afford it I am clueless on the costs.

It's often the same cost as a semester at the school - because tuition is less in other countries.

[Anonymous]

What a great uncle! And what a great opportunity for your son. Typically you choose a program through your school or one that your school participates in. Then you go through your fin aid process as per the usual and the school just handles it as if you were still there. Or that's how it used to be. But definitely ask. If your son can get his "normal" schools situation, maybe the uncle could help fund trips or extras like that that are hard for students to afford when they are not working their normal part time job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you pay for a semester abroad in a European country? A generous uncle approached me about paying for my junior son to go abroad, but since I could never afford it I am clueless on the costs.

It's often the same cost as a semester at the school - because tuition is less in other countries.

Yes, this is how it was at my college 5 years ago. Tuition was equal (and in some places less) than a semester at school. If your son's college is like this, I agree about using the money to help go on extra trips. Studying in Europe gives you such easy access to other countries, even just for the weekend.

[Anonymous]

Holding aside all issues of cost, a year is more than twice as valuable than a semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holding aside all issues of cost, a year is more than twice as valuable than a semester.

+1

[Anonymous]

I think either a semester or a year is fine, whichever the kid wants. there are pros and cons to both.

my SLAC had it set up so that tuition was equal no matter where you went.

I defn encourage it! and take the uncle up on the offer! (my aunt secretly gave me spending money when I was abroad since she knew my parents would say no. I used it to make weekend trips to other countries.)

[Anonymous]

Which schools accommodate a full year abroad?

[Anonymous]

A semester is enough, don't need a year. I did a semester abroad 20 years ago. Worth it! Tuition was the same, but your son will need money for all of the extras -- trips, souvenirs, eating.

Have him go with a semester abroad that his school has -- he will then bond with people from his own school while abroad.

[Anonymous]

I did Semester at Sea. Way more expensive than a semester at college but besides having kids, most amazing thing I have done in my life. Your son is very lucky to have such an opportunity!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A semester is enough, don't need a year. I did a semester abroad 20 years ago. Worth it! Tuition was the same, but your son will need money for all of the extras -- trips, souvenirs, eating.

Have him go with a semester abroad that his school has -- he will then bond with people from his own school while abroad.

I disagree, particularly if the student is in a country where s/he is communicating in the local (not English) language. I did a year in Spain 30 years ago and by the end of the year had achieved a comfort with the language that semester-only students didn't have enough time to achieve. Also, from a cultural immersion standpoint, you learn and experience much more over an academic year than over 4-5 months.

[Anonymous]

Yes but doing a year can be more of a struggle or more daunting. Is easier to know that you are only there for four months if you are feeling lonely. I did several stints abroad, all under five months, and they were very valuable.

[Anonymous]

I did a semester in Australia. Tuition was the same, but obviously there were a lot of other expenses: flight, extra travel, going out, etc. The exchange rate was favorable so that helped but previously I worked part time during school and couldn't do that abroad. I spent an extra 4-6K over a 4 month period on travel and travel related expenses. This included sky diving, scuba diving, a trip to New Zealand, seeing the ballet at the Sydney Opera Houses, etc.

This was also 10 years ago and in general, Europe is more expensive than Australia but it might give you an idea.

[Anonymous]

Go for it! Although I just want to add a different perspective. I'm on the board for my college. Most colleges have realized that the semester or preferably "year abroad" is a money maker for the school. If the college can urge every student to do it - as we are doing, then you can run five years of students through the campus every four years. In other words, we can scoop up another full year's worth of tuition x 3,000 students without building more dorms. And in most situations, deals are struck so that a good portion of the $60K coming in the door for the student is mostly retained by the college or university. So schools are often not offering this with the best intentions - so investigate the program thoroughly. If your school is just dumping you in Germany without thought, plan or academic mission, then it's a financial game for the school. Similarly, we realized we were losing money on room and board because students moved off campus ASAP, so now have a three-year residency requirement in triples and quads. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. But, otherwise, go for it! A great opportunity if the college runs the program well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go for it! Although I just want to add a different perspective. I'm on the board for my college. Most colleges have realized that the semester or preferably "year abroad" is a money maker for the school. If the college can urge every student to do it - as we are doing, then you can run five years of students through the campus every four years. In other words, we can scoop up another full year's worth of tuition x 3,000 students without building more dorms. And in most situations, deals are struck so that a good portion of the $60K coming in the door for the student is mostly retained by the college or university. So schools are often not offering this with the best intentions - so investigate the program thoroughly. If your school is just dumping you in Germany without thought, plan or academic mission, then it's a financial game for the school. Similarly, we realized we were losing money on room and board because students moved off campus ASAP, so now have a three-year residency requirement in triples and quads. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. But, otherwise, go for it! A great opportunity if the college runs the program well.

Interesting persective. I went to a small private liberal arts college and all of my classes abroad counted for credits I needed so I still was able to graduate in 3.5 years despite a semester abroad. After I graduated, my school did stop off campus housing unless you have "special permission".