If the college's program offers the ideal location and easy credit transfer, it definitely sounds like a solid option to consider. Maybe DC could check with their friends from their language classes and see if any of them are interested in going, because that would another reason to consider this program.

My DS is going abroad this summer, on a program from his school so that the credits transfer easier. Language immersion in Spain, but only dorm or apartment living for him because he doesn't want to be have a weird family situation.

And then housing at school isn't an issue, credits transfer, he'll probably know or meet some kids from his school and also get to enjoy the classes and have time to travel before school starts next fall.

This is OP. Thank you for all of the helpful comments.

To answer, DC is interested in any Spanish speaking country, likely Spain but open to Latin America, too - also sees benefits to going by someplace English speaking in order to get a more substantive classroom experience. That said, when we looked at the programs, DC got excited seeing Copenhagen, Japan, etc so who knows. DC is hoping for a smaller city like Salamanca instead of Madrid, or Oxford instead of London.

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone so against staying with a family? I did, my spouse did, and all of our kids did when studying abroad, and it was a positive experience for all of us.

I'm a new responder, also stayed with a family as an exchange student as did my dd (both in high school.) It can really be hit or miss with families, and I think college students are accustomed to and looking for an independence that may be less comfortable when you are living in someone else's home. Obviously a high school student can't be living on their own yet, but in college I think it would probably be a more satisfying experience (though less of a language immersion obviously.)

Anonymous wrote:It is a bit easier/smoother to do it through your own university. That said, if there is a DREAM site that another college offers, that's a fine reason to do it that way. Chances are, the choice won't be Harvard vs. University of Phoenix. Your kid's degree will still be exactly the same. Don't overthink this.

Re: the dorm vs. homestay. My program did homestays. I'm shy, and honestly, it was tough. I was homesick, and the family wasn't very nice. That said, my language skills developed SO MUCH. And I survived. And after that, I was a much stronger, braver person. For real. If I could do it again, I would probably pick a dorm. But I know the homestay was good for me.

Homestay experiences vary. I recommend against it for female students as it is not uncommon for the host family to make advances. When reported, the student will be given a new host family quickly if one is available. Of those whom I know that did a homestay--including myself--it seemed that over 50% were fine and about 25% were bad to really bad experiences.

You will learn the local language & culture in a dorm setting while making lots of friends.

OP: Are you willing to share the locations being given serious consideration by your son or daughter ?

Why is everyone so against staying with a family? I did, my spouse did, and all of our kids did when studying abroad, and it was a positive experience for all of us.

It is a bit easier/smoother to do it through your own university. That said, if there is a DREAM site that another college offers, that's a fine reason to do it that way. Chances are, the choice won't be Harvard vs. University of Phoenix. Your kid's degree will still be exactly the same. Don't overthink this.

Re: the dorm vs. homestay. My program did homestays. I'm shy, and honestly, it was tough. I was homesick, and the family wasn't very nice. That said, my language skills developed SO MUCH. And I survived. And after that, I was a much stronger, braver person. For real. If I could do it again, I would probably pick a dorm. But I know the homestay was good for me.

If your college has strong programs in house, I'd go with one of those. When I studied abroad, we knew what professor would be leading the program and everyone going had a class with them the spring semester before we left. We lived in our host university dorms and took most classes there, but we had one class with our professor and our school sponsored side trips.

Agree - if it's language immersion or maybe a very different culture, then a homestay might be better. My husband studied in Oman for a language immersion program in collage, and staying with a family really made his experience.

In terms of determining the program - it's convenient to do one that is already set up through the university because you know credits will count without issue, there may be an office or support network there if needed, etc. If there is an existing program your daughter is really excited about and/or she may need some built in support for whatever reason, then I'd suggest doing a program through her university.

On the flip side - it is really empowering to find and do your own thing when it comes to study abroad. You're more likely to make international friends and, if applicable, learn the language because you really have to. You can't hind with other students from your home university. I found my own program when studying abroad in 2013 and the independence it gave me was life changing. Only your daughter can know if she is ready for that.

What does your child want to study abroad? Do they have any language or location preferences? From there, I would see if any programs offered by their college fit that description and compare them with outside programs that also match. My DD is opting to study abroad with her college in London next fall, but she'll be a senior, so I think part of that has to do with wanting to spend more time with friends and professors at her college before she graduates.

If it's a language immersion program, I would recommend the homestay experience for more language and cultural exposure, but otherwise, it's up to the student. Another program I've heard good things about from DD's friends is DIS Copenhagen, which offers both homestay and student accommodation and I know several young adults who have had good experiences with both options in Denmark.

CIEE is fantastic and you may end up saving a lot of money rather than doing it through the school. Dorm or apt would be better choices than homestay.

Anonymous wrote:My only thought is don't stay with a family. Live in a dorm and look after your own independence.

+1 I've heard experiences from a number of people who did homestays and the experiences seem to vary widely -- it could become your 2nd family or they might never talk to you and just grudgingly provide the bare minimum. Better to be in a dorm IMO

My only thought is don't stay with a family. Live in a dorm and look after your own independence.

DC is a freshman and has always been interested in study abroad. DC’s college offers about 10 study programs abroad, and has approved many others. DC and I have been reading about them over break- all sound interesting! There will be an informational meeting in the spring for those interested in study abroad, but here are my handful of initial questions for those with some experience:

- it seems the most straightforward idea is to study abroad through DC’s own college, because otherwise they need to take a “study abroad leave of absence” from their college. DC’s college seems to encourage and prioritize full year study abroad for their own programs, so not sure that is doable for DC. any thoughts on which way is better? eg, study abroad grades factor into DC’s gpa if done through one of their own college’s programs, but reads like they do not if study is through an outside program.

- thoughts on living in a dorm/apt vs homestay with a family? DC is pretty shy and feels reluctant to live with a family, but seems to me to be the best way to absorb language and culture, and as a parent I’d feel better knowing they have adults to turn to if there are problems.

- how does one discern the academic variations between these programs? eg, right or wrong, I have an opinion on academics at Harvard vs U of Phoenix, and can check rankings as flawed as they may be. But I have never heard if these outside programs with names like IES, CIEE, etc. I realize all have been vetted by DC’s college, but there are 150 plus approved programs, and many different ones approved for the same location. So we aren’t sure how to compare the programs.

- did your DC find it difficult to secure housing at their home college for the semester they did not study abroad?

Thanks for all advice.