Study Abroad? Where and Why?

[mojo]

I have been thinking a lot lately about doing a semester abroad, or maybe 2 and with so many location options I am having trouble narrowing it down. I thought I would see what you folks would choose, seeing as how there are many students on the forum.

Where would you go if you had the chance to study somewhere outside Canada, and why would you choose that location?

For me, it would have to be somewhere with a high concentration of other nations, like S. America or Europe, so that afterwards i can play for a while before coming home.

Also, for anyone interested in this sorta thing the Vancouver Go Abroad Fair is happening this week, at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center. More info can be found here. The Go Abroad Fair

Cheers,

Mike

[Lush]

I'm going to that fair on Tuesday, i'd like to go study abroad but I'm not too sure where.
I also want to go live in Japan and teach English after I get my bachelors degree.

Good call on posting information regarding the fair!

My first choice would be a school that teachers in English. But if your fast learner with second languages than I would totally try something exotic and it would probably be a good way to excel at a second language.

My thinking would be to choose a school in Europe because you're so close to soo many countries and could hopefully take lots of short weekend trips. Yet a school in say a place like Australia or South Africa would be awesome with the hot weather and beaches.

I'm really tempted to check out the fair... does it come here every year or is this a one time shot?

[decypher]

It depends on what you want to study as each place offers certain courses. For example, places in Italy offer english taught courses in business and design but not as much options for the social sciences. Places in Australia offer a much wider option base. So really if you want to go someplace where the language is not English you'll just have to canvas all the Universities to see what they offer. It would also give you a chance to learn another language too while doing your classes in English.

[LimeGreenLaser]

Europe! Sensation!

[Drazkers]

Currently Im in Osaka as a english teacher, its a really good gig, sadly the english school biz has suffered some harsh blows. Two of the largest companies are bankrupt or on the verge of it. So competition in the next few years for english teaching jobs will be pretty intense in Japan. Just showing up and trying to get a job like i did is not advised now. Europe is much more diverse, if your into experiencing several different cultures thats the route to go.

[mojo]

I would need to go somewhere with instruction in English, unless my Spanish improves greatly in the next year (Currently 2 weeks into SPN 1100 :P).

UBC Student Services - Go Global - Start here
Study Abroad

Some more links for those interested :)

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Lush

I'm going to that fair on Tuesday, i'd like to go study abroad but I'm not too sure where.
I also want to go live in Japan and teach English after I get my bachelors degree.

Good call on posting information regarding the fair!

See ya there.

[penguinabc123]

anyone one have an sfu link like that ubc one above?

[.anya]

I did a semester at the Universite de la Polynesie Francaise in Tahiti, and it was a wonderful experience! I highly recommend any sort of study abroad program. I spoke pretty fluent French before I came there, so I was able to handle the university classes being taught in French. Because French Polynesia is about 200 islands, I was also able to do a good amount of traveling while I was there. I don't think you necessarily have to go to a place with a high concentration of nations to be able to fill up the time you have to travel!

If I were you, I would go to a country where the spoken language isn't English but where the language of instruction at the university is English. That way you get immersed into a totally new environment and pick up another language (at least at a basic level!), which is always great. I think pretty much anywhere you go will be amazing, so good luck and keep us updated if you decide on a place :)

p.s. I would consider a place like Singapore, too, which is close enough for trips around South East Asia and where English is standard!

[mojo]

Nice. Ya, i read into that exchange, but the fact that classes are instructed in French made the decision...I retained just the basics from HS French.
Singapore would be a good option, as classes are taught in English but in terms of travel i have visited all the surrounding countries so that wouldn't leave much in terms of new countries to visit. Of course I did not experience all that they have to offer but I would like to visit a dif. region, somewhere I have not been.

The fair was super inspiring, I now want more then ever to get back my big bag back on, be it for travel or to settle somewhere to study. : )

Ps: penguinabc123, that 3rd link I posted was for SFU.

[mugsy]

my totally unrealistic study abroad dreams would be venice or paris or vienna learning art while being surrounded by masterpeices of the times. if this were free, i;d do it.
what i am doing is going to the glasgow school of art - well first i have to apply next year. the school is pretty amazing, and you can pick up a trade while getting your bfa. price of tuition is not very much, price of living is rediculous. after im done there, i want to head to mexico for a year and fine tune my jewelery making skills - you learn some of the best skills there, but its not acredited. so i get my on paper training in scotland, and my rediculously amazing training in mexico.

[penguinabc123]

thanks mojo

ive always wanted to look into this, would love to do some of 4th year somewere else

[yoko*]

I just want to graduate ASAP so I don't want to do anything that may potentially delay my graduation any further...so I prob won't be studying "Abroad" between now and my grad next year.

But, if I do go back for further education after my degree, I would love studying in Montreal or Toronto... Preferrably at Ryerson or U of T depending on which further education I wanted to pursue. Ryerson for something related to deisgn and U of T because I absolutely love the campus and I know it's a great school. I wouldn't mind going somewhere south of the border for art as well, but that would be a costly choice. I plan on heading out eastward next year, so either way if I go back to school I'll definitely be considering choices out there...

I guess none of those really count as "Abroad" but it's far enough for me.

[yoko*]

Oh, and for those who are not so keen on going "abroad" for studies but want an international experience..

Come to UBC. I transferred from SFU to UBC last year and though it delayed my graduation, I'm LOVING all the international students we get here and the friendliness of all my classmates. I've met so many more people with diverse cultural background and roots (and have in general met more people willing to TALK to, and get to know YOU) at UBC than at SFU.

Anyways, I'm having a great time here and if any of you have the choice to choose between the two and want a more "international" experience without having to leave the country, I definitely recommend UBC.

[yoko*]

Hey Mike,

This just got emailed to me by UBC and I thought of you. I know you were thinking about transferring to SFU, but I thought I'd post this up anyways to give an idea of what other schools offer.

-------------------------
Imagine waking up for morning classes in Europe, Asia or South America. You know Arts takes you places, so go global before you graduate! Attend an upcoming workshop to learn more or drop into Arts Advising on Wednesdays from 12 to 2 pm to speak with a Go Global Advisor.

UPCOMING GO GLOBAL REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

Study Chinese on Exchange

This session is intended for students interested in learning Mandarin on exchange. Program options in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan will be highlighted. Also, learn about scholarship opportunities for studying in these countries.

Japan Exchange Info Session

Find out more about the different exchange opportunities in Japan. This session is intended for students interested in learning Japanese on exchange or studying in Japan. Also, learn about scholarship opportunities for studying in Japan.

Korea Exchange Info Session

This session will cover the exchange opportunities in South Korea. Also, learn about scholarship opportunities for students intending to study Korean.

Study English in Non-English Speaking Europe

This session is intended for students who are interested in participating in an exchange in continental Europe at a partner university that instructs courses in English. Areas that will be highlighted include: the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany and France, Spain, Italy and Slovenia.

Languages in Europe

Do you have a desire to improve or learn a new language in Europe? Come to this information session to find out more about where you can go. Languages that will be highlighted are French, German, Spanish, Swedish and Danish. You can study a language and selected topics in English. Studying in GermanyLearn or improve your German on an exchange! Come out to learn more about studying in Germany. You will be able to study the German language and selected topics in English. Also, learn about the scholarship opportunities to help finance your exchange in Germany.

Study Spanish or Italian

Learn or improve your Spanish or Italian while on exchange. This session will cover the exchange opportunities for UBC students.

Studying French in Europe

Learn or improve your French while on exchange. This session will cover the exchange opportunities for UBC students in French-speaking Europe.

APPLICATION WORKSHOPS

Join other prospective Go Global'ers for a 45-minute workshop on how to fill out your application and what documents to hand in. All students should attend an Application Workshop before submitting their application as applications that have been filled out incorrectly cannot be corrected once submitted. When are these workshops? Check out:

UBC Student Services - Go Global - Events & info sessions Go Global Advisors will also be offering drop-in sessions every Wednesday in the Faculty of Arts in Arts Advising Services in Buchanan D from 12 - 2 pm. Go Global: International Learning ProgramsEmail: [email protected]one: 604-822-0942Web: UBC Student Services - Go Global Centre for Arts Student Services: Welcome NOTE: Please do not respond to this email. It is for outgoing messages only.

[mojo]

thanks Yok's.

I looked into it, and discovered i would need to spend a year at UBC to gain the required credits in order to be eligable for their exchange. SFU wants 12 credits.

Soooo...i am just going to head to Cuba and Central america in January, and perhaps exchange to Mexico through Kwantlen in 4th year. :)

I appreciate the thought!

[yoko*]

Originally Posted by mojo

thanks Yok's.

I looked into it, and discovered i would need to spend a year at UBC to gain the required credits in order to be eligable for their exchange. SFU wants 12 credits.

Soooo...i am just going to head to Cuba and Central america in January, and perhaps exchange to Mexico through Kwantlen in 4th year. :)

I appreciate the thought!

that sounds excitttinngggg :)

[laska]

Be careful, when I moved here from France I couldn't transfer any of my university credits because they were in a different "format" or some bullshit like this. Make sure your credits are going to be transferable. There are tonnes of different kinds of universities, colleges, schools etc and a lot are not recognized by Canadian unis.