Study Abroad

Key takeaways:

Study Abroad programs are wildly popular for college students of all majors.
There are many steps to take before you can participate in a Study Abroad program, but upon completion, the experience is vastly rewarding.
You can study abroad almost anywhere at any time of year so long as you plan properly ahead of time.

According to Opendoors’s 2025 report on international educational exchange, a total of 10 percent of all undergraduate students in the United States studied abroad in the 2023-2024 school year. If you’re thinking of participating in a Study Abroad program in college, you can find all the information you need to get started on Scholarships.com. Keep reading to find out more.

What does it mean to study abroad?

Study Abroad programs allow students to complete a portion of their college education in a different country. Colleges that offer Study Abroad programs typically have dedicated departments to advise, place, and monitor students who wish to study abroad; this ensures that participants are safe, prepared, and that the credits they earn while abroad are transferred properly back to their home institution.

It’s important to note that these programs are temporary. Participating students are expected to return to their home country and the institution they attend there at the end of their designated Study Abroad term. If you complete your entire college education at a university outside of your home country, you are considered an international student, not a Study Abroad participant.

Why study abroad?

There are many reasons a student may choose to study abroad. For instance, students who are majoring in internationally-engaged subjects— global politics, foreign languages, environmental studies, sociology and anthropology, and more— may study abroad to get a better sense of immersion in their field. Some students may study abroad to gain career experience and connections. Others choose to study abroad to better connect with their own cultures and family histories.

Primarily, though, the main reason students cite for participating in Study Abroad programs is simply the experience of living and learning in a different country. College Study Abroad programs bring the opportunity to travel internationally to students who would not otherwise have been able to do so. Many recall their time abroad as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, no matter their major or the country in which they are placed.

How do you study abroad?

Participating in a Study Abroad program is rewarding, but it involves some important preparation. If you’re thinking of studying abroad, you can use the list of steps below to get a better idea of what the process entails.

Plan

The first step you’ll need to take as a prospective Study Abroad participant is to meet with the designated Study Abroad coordinator or office at your college or university. Search your school’s directory or website to find out who to consult, then schedule an appointment. Do this early; the longer you wait to begin the process, the more likely you are to miss out on time-sensitive opportunities and resources available to you.

Your school’s Study Abroad advisors will help you understand the options you have in terms of placement country, timeline, price, and program. They will also provide you with more general information about the basics of international travel, such as applying for a passport or visa, to help you make a solid plan for your Study Abroad experience.

Apply

Once you have created a plan with your school’s Study Abroad office, you can begin applying to Study Abroad programs. The options available to you will vary depending on your home college, your field of study, and the time of year you plan to go abroad. Some colleges have extensive partnerships with schools across the globe while others offer a more limited list of placements; your advisor will help you understand your options.

Typically, prospective Study Abroad participants will make a list of their top program choices and apply to each of them. These programs can fill up quickly, so it’s important to apply promptly to multiple programs. Even if you aren’t accepted into your top choice program, you can still have a fulfilling Study Abroad experience— and if you start planning early enough, you can re-apply next year to programs which rejected you this year.

Prepare

When you receive your admissions decisions, it’s time to accept an offer and begin preparing for your trip. At this stage, you will need to fill out travel forms, register for courses at your host university, and complete your housing application for residence there either on-campus, in an apartment or flat, or with a host family. Be sure to keep track of everything you need to complete and submit all required materials on time.

Other preparations you’ll need to make as your time to go abroad comes nearer include obtaining copies of identifying documents, booking tickets to travel to and from your destination, saving money, updating your vaccinations, and packing your belongings. Meet with your Study Abroad advisor regularly to stay organized as you prepare.

Go

Once all your preparations are in order, it’s time for the fun part: actually going abroad! Gather up your luggage, board that plane, and get ready to immerse yourself in a new culture. Make sure you follow all the rules and guidelines set out for you by both your host institution and your home university while you are abroad; remember, your primary focus is to study, not to vacation.

You may be required to submit regular check-ins to your primary college’s Study Abroad office while you are away. Be sure to complete these check-ins promptly. Monitor your email regularly so you don’t miss any updates or deadlines from your home university— you will still need to register for classes and apply for housing there for the following year like any other student.

Return

When your term abroad comes to its end, return to your home country. Submit all your final assignments and pack your bags; follow all the move-out guidelines you are given and double-check your travel plans to ensure you get home on time. It can be difficult to leave the friends and community you’ve made for yourself while studying abroad, so be sure to exchange contact information to stay in touch when you leave the country.

Upon your return to your home country, meet with your Study Abroad coordinator to complete any final requirements associated with your Study Abroad experience. Watch your transcript report to make sure your international credits are recorded properly; if you encounter any problems, work with your Study Abroad advisor to resolve them as soon as possible. Congratulations! You have officially studied abroad.

Study Abroad scholarships

While the idea of participating in a Study Abroad program is exciting, the finances may not be. Thankfully, you can earn scholarships specifically designed to sponsor your Study Abroad experience. Sign up for a free account on Scholarships.com to match with the right opportunities for you and read our Study Abroad Scholarships article to learn how to win them.

Frequently asked questions about studying abroad

How much does it cost to study abroad?

According to a 2019 study by GoAbroad, the average cost for a student to spend a semester abroad was about $14,000. However, this price can vary widely depending on your home institution, destination, living arrangements, travel costs, scholarships earned, and the organization through which you study. Your school’s Study Abroad office can help you determine the price of your particular trip.

Can you study abroad for all of college?

Generally, students cannot participate in Study Abroad programs for more than a semester or two. If you want to study abroad for all of college, you should attend an out-of-country university as your primary institution. This way, you will be considered an international student; you will need to apply for a long-term study visa and make more permanent plans for your residence, but you will be able to study internationally for all of college.

What are the best times and places to study abroad?

The best time and place for your particular Study Abroad experience depends on your preferences, financial situation, and major. Most students wait until their junior year to Study Abroad, but others, like Scholarships.com winner Daisha Jackson, go abroad as early as freshman year. It all varies depending on the student.

Some things to consider when deciding on the place and time you will study abroad include the languages you can speak, the relevance of your major to the geographic and social features of the area, seasonal patterns, and the timing of important life events. For instance, if you attend a yearly family reunion each February, align your term abroad such that you can still attend; if you hate the cold, apply for programs in warm countries or wait until the summer to go abroad.

Do you have to study abroad?

While many students choose to study abroad, it is never a requirement that you do so. Depending on the college you attend, you may be required to complete an experiential learning project such as an off-campus internship or field research— though you can choose to participate abroad, there are also many domestic opportunities available to fulfill these requirements.

Do you have to have a certain major to study abroad?

Students of any major can study abroad, whether or not their major is especially related to their travels. Those studying foreign languages, history, architecture, art, and art history have many options for specialized Study Abroad programs that deal directly with their fields of study, but students in less localized fields can gain important cultural context and hands-on experience from studying abroad as well.