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Study Abroad

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Frazelli
Posts: 623 - Karma: 339
Yes i did search bar and found some stuff, however i would like a new discussion and hopefully some new answers.

I am going to be a junior at the U of Utah next semester and want to study abroad. I have talked to a lot of my older friends and adults and they all said this was one of the best experiences of their life also a common recommendation was to go alone because a lot of times people who go with friends just stay in that comfort zone and do not fully experience the country.

I am looking to go somewhere in Europe where preferably I do not know the language and culture. I would love everyones opinion and personal stories from study abroad. Also tips on where people think is a great place to go, I was thinking about Barcelona.

thanks!
Apr 1 2013 11:24PM
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JakeBarrett
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 1,843
Anywhere in Spain is always a great experience. The culture over there is incredible.

I have been thinking about studying abroad once i get out of high school/college, and Spain is up there on my list of places.
Apr 1 2013 11:26PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
can't recommend it enough.

Definitely do it alone. And I mean all the way. As soon as you go through security at the airport to leave home, you shouldn't know anyone. Live in the dorms or rent a room or however where you go organizes it, just do not live with friends.

I went to london (primarily because I wanted to see my team play, and because since I'm french...I can go there whenever) and didn't become friends with more than 1 American. And it was amazing. Best 4 months of my life even. Remember, you aren't traveling to Europe to meet Americans.

Spain I've heard mixed things. I know 6 people who have done it there, 3 loved it, 3 hated it.

Also, don't travel too much. Definitely visit, but I know people who studied in say, Madrid, but traveled so much that by the end, they knew a tiny bit about a bunch of cities, but nothing about the one they lived in. I barely traveled, but as a result I know london almost better than I know my home city.


only other advice is don't completely ignore academics, but don't pile on your classes. I had 3 days off a week, and really only 1 heavy day. Had to work hard to make it up when I got home, but I had some great times with my off days.
Apr 2 2013 1:32AM
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JayRich
Posts: 969 - Karma: 1,301
Dude go for it!

I go to a Christian college where studying abroad is encouraged to the max. I never heard anyone come back from a study abroad program, and regret it. I only hear good things about it. A couple of my friends have studied abroad in Europe and absolutely loved it. I'm planning on studying abroad twice. I'm going to San Francisco for my fall junior semester, and then the summer btw junior and senior year I'm going on IBI (International Business Institute) where I get to go to 13 European countries in 10 weeks! Studying abroad is awesome! good luck with it bro!
Apr 2 2013 1:41AM
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.Capn.
Posts: 1454 - Karma: 152
I'd study abroad... but it depends how nice her rack is
Apr 2 2013 10:16AM
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KZA
Posts: 3304 - Karma: 301
As everyone else said. Definitely do it. I studied abroad Fall semester of my senior year at the U and went to the Universiteit Van Amsterdam. One of the best 4 months of my life and I would not trade it for the world.

Everyone things living in Amsterdam would be one huge party but UvA is actually one of the top 75 universities in the world so I spent more time studying and working than I ever have. Smoked significantly less than I did in the states to. PM me if you have any questions about the program I did through the U, would be happy to give you some info.
Apr 2 2013 10:28AM
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Bodhisattva_
Posts: 5749 - Karma: 2,009
Anyone have experience with international school? I'm thinking I am going to do a semester at an intl business school in Sweden as a part of MSU's study abroad program.
Apr 2 2013 10:37AM
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courtneyyy
Posts: 91 - Karma: 40
Definitely definitely study abroad. I cannot recommend it enough. It was legitimately one of the best experiences of my life. I didn't exactly get to go anywhere crazy exotic because my major made it kind of hard, but I still got to travel and I had such a good time. I went to Glasgow, Scotland, and when I went I really didn't know anybody. There were a couple kids from my school, but I didn't live with them or anything like that.

I know a lot of my friends that went to Madrid and Barcelona and loved it, but they went with a HUGE program from my school so they pretty much hung out with each other. Of course, they still had fun, but I don't know...I really liked not knowing people starting out. Most of the people I hung out with were people that actually went to the school I was studying abroad at which I think made the experience way better. I liked getting outside of my comfort zone and making totally new friends. I felt like I was way more involved in the school/culture/etc as opposed to feeling like I was just vacationing with a group of American kids.

Hope that helps!
Apr 2 2013 12:16PM
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.Rybak.
Posts: 9017 - Karma: 9,864
Lol
Apr 2 2013 12:38PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Best experience of my LIFE! I love France and all of Europe!

heres a couple pictures from my travels

Amsterdam
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Annecy, France
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Harbor in Geneva Switzerland.
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Rome
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Paradise bay, Malta
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Most beautiful sunset ive ever seen
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bluest water iver ever seen, literally more clear than a pool
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Apr 2 2013 1:22PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
Annecy is a fantastic city. If I got another chance to study abroad, that's where I'd go. Absolutely love it there.

other thing I should mention, don't go senior year. Junior year is the best time. You should be in good academic standing by that point, and if you get screwed over by credit transfers (as I was) you still have a whole year to make sure you graduate on time. Plus senior year is your last year, you might as well spend it with your buddies at school
Apr 2 2013 1:40PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
One of my favorite places in the world. Definitely gonna spend some time there after graduation
Apr 2 2013 1:44PM
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Frazelli
Posts: 623 - Karma: 339
thanks guys i appreciate it! I'm going into the office next week so I'm trying to narrow it down. Right now i think I'm going to Barcelona unless people have other options or if they have personal expirience with barcelona!

thanks again
Apr 2 2013 6:28PM
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meowshred
Posts: 388 - Karma: 28
question: what about studying abroad and skiing? anyone have any advice or good programs for that?
Apr 13 2013 8:37PM
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Bateman
Posts: 8590 - Karma: 8,600
Considering a year in New Zealand or even Canada.. near snow
Apr 13 2013 8:39PM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4685 - Karma: 3,407
Just go to Innsbruck of a city like that. Skiing is everywhere
Apr 13 2013 11:19PM
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SlurbnBeef
Posts: 1462 - Karma: 321
I am also going abroad in my junior year, personally I am thinking Italy or Germany. Both are fantastic places. Italy has some great scenery and incredible history and Germany has great architecture, and depending where you are some very cool spots! Those are just two pretty nice places. Spain is nice too!
Apr 13 2013 11:30PM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 675
I go to the U too. Studying abroad in New Zealand at University of Otago now. Out in NZ with another U of U guy too.

Highly recommend New Zealand, so much fun. World class mountain biking, lots of skiing, back packing. Really anything you want!
Apr 14 2013 3:42AM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,100
Anyone have experience with Scandinavia?
Apr 14 2013 8:53AM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
currently studying in Germany, its been awesome. Make sure you get a decent job/save up some cash. really easy to blow through it, but so worth it. I've been scuba diving in brussels, skiing in the french and german alps, and gone to all sorts of ridiculous clubs. you guys can pm me for details if you want, but seriously it is awesome
Apr 14 2013 9:11AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
I have no idea why people insist on studying abroad in Europe. Being from NYC, we live in the biggest, best city the world arguably. Why the fuck would you want to go somewhere else where the dollar is worth way less than what it is here, and go somewhere where you are basically doing the same dam thing as in the united states.

Go study somewhere crazy like south america, some mountain town in europe, etc
I had a friend who went to turks and cacos and said it was absolutely amazing
Apr 14 2013 10:04AM
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HungryHypocrite
Posts: 765 - Karma: 939
I go to international school in switzerland, but just regular high school (IB)
so I dont know about business or anything like that
Apr 14 2013 10:11AM
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Bodhisattva_
Posts: 5749 - Karma: 2,009
Well stiller better than nothing! What it is like?? It says all classes are taught in English, but will I have trouble meeting people and conversing, making friends etc.. if I don't speak the native language or anything? And how International is international? I mean are there students from all over the world or is it more concentrated from a few countries??
Apr 14 2013 12:58PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
i love NYC but it is neither the biggest nor best city in the world. i would love to know if youve even been to any of the places youre talking shit about, probably not.

i did my 3rd year of uni away. i would recommend going for a full school year
Apr 14 2013 1:16PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
maybe it is not the biggest, but it is ceratinly up there.

Besides the sites and cool looking buildings...why go somewhere that is so similar to what we have in the US? I mean its a "different" culture in the sense of language, maybe slight dressing difference, some food, etc....but for real go somewhere crazy for a semester that is so different. Never understood it. And I have not been to Europe nor do I plan on going for a very long time. Would much rather go on a tropical vacation or a ski trip that go to some cold rainy city that has cool looking buildings
Apr 14 2013 1:34PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
The thing with Barcelona is that you won't see as many countries because your so far west. Miami University (my school) has a campus in Luxembourg (the campus is a legit castle btw), which is pretty much in the dead middle of Europe. I did a semester there and traveled to 12 different countries. If you want to get really dive deep into a culture then I'd say barcelona. But if you want to see all of Europe, meet a ton of different people, then I'd definitely recommend somewhere more central. If you have any specific questions about the Lux program shoot me a PM. I can give you more info/websites and stuff.
Apr 14 2013 2:04PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
wow that sounds awesome
Apr 14 2013 2:05PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
BTW, most of the people are from Miami University, and its almost always a 2-1 girl to dude ratio (roughly 90 in the whole program). So many babes. So many.
Apr 14 2013 2:05PM
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Frazelli
Posts: 623 - Karma: 339
well I'm defiantly not opposed to that. looks like i might have to wait till spring to study abroad now, I thought fall would be better but seems to be creeping up to fast.

Anyone have trouble getting their classes to transfer looks like i have to get the board at my school to look at the classes and approve it. It might be hard to get a syllabus.
Apr 21 2013 11:04PM
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