How Will You Study Abroad?

College is a great time for a student to explore a world that is foreign to them - literally or figuratively! In the United States of America, the prevalence of study abroad programs allows students with curiosity about a culture to live within that culture, learn about the society there, all the while earning valuable college credits to graduate with. These study abroad programs help students experience the world and enhance their resumes.

The ability to learn one's passion is one reason why a student may choose to go away to college, but colleges and other entities offer programs that can help a student achieve their dream of going overseas. There are five ways to study abroad: Direct Exchanges, Direct Enrollment, Consortium, Third-Party Provider, and Home-Owned and Operated. These programs all differ in their missions and execution of facilitation of studying overseas.

Direct Exchanges are probably the most commonly thought of program of overseas studying. Who hasn't heard of the foreign exchange student? Typically these students are fortunate that their home university has a program with a foreign university that allows academic credits to transfer, as well as the financial aid to transfer seamlessly with the host country's university.

Direct Enrollment differs from direct exchanges because sometimes travel arrangements may be taken care of in a direct exchange program. Direct enrollment programs dictate that a student must apply to the foreign institution and then be accepted into their program of study. The credits for the classes are usually included as a student must apply directly to the host university's international student program. The cost of travel can be cumbersome, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

One of the most cost-effective ways for a student to study out of their home country could be the consortium. Consortiums are groups that facilitate the opportunity to study abroad. There are financial or other benefits, but some consortiums have open memberships while others are closed. These can be shared by different groups of people or a large group of institutions.

A way to study abroad that is independent of the home and host university is the third-party provider. These providers coordinate everything the student will need taken care of, such as college credits, housing and other necessities of the collegiate life. For students who do not have the means to directly enroll in a foreign university a third-party provider could be the way to travel due to the logistical nightmare being navigated.

The home universities are not to be left in the cold of overseas studying though. Many schools own facilities in other countries, as well as having those facilities staffed with their own people. Sometimes a home university will send faculty and a group of students to their overseas facilities. This provides a sense of comfort as students are with people with whom they are familiar