Study Abroad 101

By: Cecilia Yontz 

If you're like I was and want to study abroad but are confused and overwhelmed at where to start, this blog post is for you! 

My freshman year of college began in the fall of 2020. I wasn’t even considering studying abroad because no one knew how long COVID restrictions were going to be in place for or the ramifications of the virus. At the end of my freshman year, my friend and I were talking about how it would be fun to study abroad and how it had been in the back of our minds for a while. We decided right then and there that we were going to. From there, we started looking at past programs and determining where we would want to go to and for how long. If you are even slightly interested in studying abroad, you should definitely explore your options because it is an unforgettable experience. The process can be confusing, so I wanted to provide some of the things that I learned in hopes that it might help someone else.

Selecting a Program 

Full transparency, I chose my study abroad program based on the location. I did the Global May Paris program which is actually part of the College of Arts and Sciences programs, not Fisher. There are some advantages to choosing a program from the college that you are in, but ultimately it is about what you are hoping to get out of the trip. Even though my program was through a college that I am not a part of, I did not have to be in order for the class to make sense. I consider the program that I chose to be like a gen-ed class, because there are some programs that are more major related, so be careful when looking.  

Funding your Trip 

I knew when I decided to study abroad that I would need financial help. The great news is that there are a lot of great options available if you know where to look. Ohio State has general scholarships for study abroad programs and then Fisher has scholarship opportunities for Fisher specific programs. If you are in the position I was in and don't already have a passport, Fisher actually has a scholarship that provides you with $150 towards a passport. Bonus for this one- you do not have to be a part of a Fisher study abroad program, or any program, to apply, you just have to be a Fisher student! Another source of funding is the STEP program that you might already be aware of, but if you do not already have a plan for that money, this could be a great way to use it. There are also some program specific scholarships that can help you fund your trip. You will likely hear more about those in the program information sessions.  

More information on Fisher scholarships 

The Trip 

While there may be some stressful moments throughout the process, once you are finally about to go on your trip, it's all worth it. Each program has a great team of people behind it and between them and the other students you are traveling with, you will always have someone to go to. One of the great things about study abroad programs is the unique experience that you share with the people that you are with. It really brings you together and makes the experience that much better. Before you go on your trip, I highly encourage you to learn a little about the culture that you are about to experience. This will not only help you to feel more comfortable in an unknown location, but it will help you be more understanding and respectful of the culture.  

If you are interested or currently in the process, it can be really beneficial to talk to someone who has been through the process. I was really fortunate to be able to study abroad and I highly encourage anyone to try it if they are able and want to.